Volunteers Needed for LQTS Pregnancy Research Study

In the last five years, much has been learned about long QT syndrome (LQTS).  It is now known that LQTS is more common than previously recognized, and that LQTS can be diagnosed before birth. During pregnancy, the ECG of the fetus is difficult to obtain; however, a research lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison uses an extremely sensitive magnetometer to detect the natural magnetic signals of the fetal heart to measure the QT interval. This is a non-invasive test that is believed to be completely safe to the mother and fetus.  The magnetic recording device does not emit x-rays or magnetic fields.  The mother lies comfortably in a special magnetically-shielded room with the magnetometer positioned above her abdomen, as shown below, and the recording requires 1-2 hours to complete.