Functional right-heart replacement with skeletal muscle ventricles.
Skeletal muscle ventricles were constructed from the latissimus dorsi in seven dogs. All skeletal muscle ventricles underwent a vascular delay period followed by 4-7 weeks of electrical preconditioning. In group 1 (n = 5), the skeletal muscle ventricle was used to replace native right-heart function. Venous return from the superior and inferior venae cavae was directed to the skeletal muscle ventricle with outflow directed to the pulmonary artery. In group 2 (n = 2), the skeletal muscle ventricle was used for partial bypass of the right heart. In both groups, right-heart bypass was continued for as long as 8 hours. In group 1 after 4 hours of continuous complete right-heart bypass, stroke work was 163 +/- 63% of canine right ventricular stroke work. Skeletal muscle ventricle output was 1.14 +/- 0.02 l/min, central venous pressure was 13 +/- 1.5 mm Hg, and systemic systolic blood pressure was 95 +/- 9 mm Hg. Skeletal muscle ventricles are capable of performing the work of the right heart with near-physiological filling pressures.
Bridges
C R
CR
Harrison Department of Surgical Research, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
Hammond
R L
RL
Dimeo
F
F
Anderson
W A
WA
Stephenson
L W
LW
D000818:Animals; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D004285:Dogs; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000601:surgery*; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology