title: Alternative parameters for evaluating the performance of skeletal muscle in cardiac assistance.
abstract: This article describes a system designed to study the force, intramuscular pressure (IP), thickening (TH), and electromyographic (EMG) activity of the latissimus dorsi muscle in response to electrical stimulation. Experiments were carried out on fresh unconditioned muscles freed from the left flank insertion and fixed to contract isometrically. Statistical analysis of the data obtained demonstrated that IP and EMG activity were linearly related to force. The thickening of the muscle was found to be sensitive only to large variations in force, in a linear fashion.
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering Division, Heart Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Cestari
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hayashida
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Leirner
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Jatene
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001243:Assisted Circulation; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000601:surgery; D004285:Dogs; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004576:Electromyography; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery