title: Augmentation of left ventricular wall thickness with alginate hydrogel implants improves left ventricular function and prevents progressive remodeling in dogs with chronic heart failure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study tested the hypothesis that augmentation of the left ventricular (LV) wall thickness with direct intramyocardial injections of alginate hydrogel implants (AHI) reduces LV cavity size, restores LV shape, and improves LV function in dogs with heart failure (HF).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Progressive LV dysfunction, enlargement, and chamber sphericity are features of HF associated with increased mortality and morbidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were performed in 14 dogs with HF produced by intracoronary microembolizations (LV ejection fraction [EF] <30%). Dogs were randomized to AHI treatment (n = 8) or to sham-operated control (n = 6). During an open-chest procedure, dogs received either intramyocardial injections of 0.25 to 0.35 ml of alginate hydrogel (Algisyl-LVR, LoneStar Heart, Inc., Laguna Hills, California) or saline. Seven injections were made ∼ 1.0 to 1.5 cm apart (total volume 1.8 to 2.1 ml) along the circumference of the LV free wall halfway between the apex and base starting from the anteroseptal groove and ending at the posteroseptal groove. Hemodynamic and ventriculographic measurements were made before treatment (PRE) and repeated post-surgery for up to 17 weeks (POST).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to control, AHI significantly reduced LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes and improved LV sphericity. AHI treatment significantly increased EF (26 ± 0.4% at PRE to 31 ± 0.4% at POST; p < 0.05) compared to the decreased EF seen in control dogs (27 ± 0.3% at PRE to 24 ± 1.3% at POST; p < 0.05). AHI treatment was well tolerated and was not associated with increased LV diastolic stiffness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In HF dogs, circumferential augmentation of LV wall thickness with AHI improves LV structure and function. The results support continued development of AHI for the treatment of patients with advanced HF.
authors.forename: Hani N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Sabbah
authors.forename: Mengjun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ramesh C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Sharad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rastogi
authors.forename: Itamar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ilsar
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Sabbah
authors.forename: Smita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kohli
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Helgerson
authors.forename: Randall J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates; D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004285:Dogs; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D009929:Organ Size; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate