Long-term follow-up (12 to 35 weeks) after dynamic cardiomyoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain information on the long-term effects of dynamic cardiomyoplasty on hemodynamics and muscle histology, this surgical method was evaluated in goats.


BACKGROUND
Dynamic cardiomyoplasty has been introduced as a new method to treat patients with severe cardiac failure.


METHODS
In 24 goats, the left latissimus dorsi muscle was wrapped around the heart. The muscle was then subjected to progressive electrical stimulation. In 16 goats, invasive transesophageal Doppler echocardiographic measurements and histologic evaluation of the latissimus dorsi muscle were performed at > or = 12 weeks after the wrapping.


RESULTS
Only two goats showed an increase in aortic and left and right ventricular pressures concomitant with increased aortic flow during latissimus dorsi muscle stimulation both before and after induction of cardiac failure using imipramine. This was accompanied by a preserved latissimus dorsi muscle structure and nearly complete transformation to type I muscle fibers. The remaining 14 goats showed extensive lipomatosis in the latissimus dorsi muscle, with severe intimal hyperplasia and proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the walls of the thoracodorsal artery and its branches. An increase in endoneural and endomysial connective tissue was observed, with some goats showing destroyed nerve branches near the electrodes. These findings differed from those observed after long-term electrical stimulation of goat latissimus dorsi muscle in situ.


CONCLUSIONS
Dynamic cardiomyoplasty is of use in the treatment of severe heart failure if the histologic structure of the wrapped latissimus dorsi muscle remains intact. Long-term results in goats suggest that the current approach used in dynamic cardiomyoplasty may lead to deterioration of the wrapped muscle.
Lucas
C M
CM
Department of Cardiology, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Van der Veen
F H
FH
Cheriex
E C
EC
Lorusso
R
R
Havenith
M
M
Penn
O C
OC
Wellens
H J
HJ
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006041:Goats; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006439:Hemodynamics; D007099:Imipramine; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
D007099:Imipramine