title: Long-term neurostimulation of skeletal muscle: its potential for a tether-free biologic cardiac assist device.
abstract: Skeletal muscle has a tremendous capacity to adapt. This adaptive phenomenon is seen perhaps to the greatest extent when skeletal muscle is subjected to chronic low frequency stimulation via the motor nerve. There is a decrease in glycolytic enzymes and an increase in oxidative enzymes, as well as a change in the contractile proteins and an increase in the mitochondrial volume fraction of the muscle fiber. These adaptive changes result in a muscle that is considerably more fatigue-resistant. Specifically herein, we report on a pneumatic aortic counterpulsator device powered by skeletal muscle. These muscle pumps functioned continuously and pumped blood effectively in tether-free animals for several weeks.
authors: Harrison Department of Surgical Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia.
authors: W A
authors: WA
authors: Anderson
authors: C R
authors: CR
authors: Bridges
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Chin
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Andersen
authors: M A
authors: MA
authors: Acker
authors: R L
authors: RL
authors: Hammond
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Dimeo
authors: P T
authors: PT
authors: Cahalan
authors: D R
authors: DR
authors: Gale
authors: W E
authors: WE
authors: Brown
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D001243:Assisted Circulation; D004285:Dogs; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009132:Muscles / Q000294:innervation*; D013997:Time Factors