Still a controversial procedure, cardiomyoplasty (CMP) improves the failing heart's ability to contract by using a latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM), but to date, hemodynamic results correlate poorly with clinical improvement. The following two causes for apprehension bar attempting to change the conventional electrical stimulation (ES) protocol to improve CMP results: (1) fear of beginning ES for LDM-assisted contraction immediately postmobilization and CMP and (2) fear of stopping or slowing ES during sleep periods.
Methods: In ten different experimental series, I used animal models of CMP to determine how to apply ES to newly mobilized LDM, how to begin partial cardiac assist immediately post-CMP, and how to suspend ES for 12 hours daily.
Results: From my experimental series I noted the following three results. (1) Different ES regimens applied 1 hour postmobilization changed the contractile force (CF). After a 30-minute fatigue test, CF decreased by 34% +/- 3% with continuous ES at 30 contractions per minute (cpm), by 23% +/- 2% with continuous ES at 15 cpm, by 25% +/- 5% with ES in a work-rest regimen at 30 cpm, and by 8% +/- 3% with ES in a work-rest regimen at 15 cpm. (2) Imitation of partial cardiac assist immediately postmobilization slightly decreased CF. Sixteen days postmobilization, during a 30-minute fatigue test in animals in which ES had been started immediately after mobilization, CF decreased by only 6% +/- 3% and did not change when ES was combined with imitation of cardiac assist for 30 minutes twice daily (work-rest regimen). (3) ES cessation for 24 hours daily or 12 hours daily in CMP model created no difference in ejection fraction (EF) with ES (54% +/- 4% vs 53% +/- 5%, respectively (or in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV, 234.3 ml +/- 1.0 ml vs 24.8 mL +/- 0.6 mL, respectively) or in LV end-systolic volume (LVESV; 12.1 mL +/- 0.7 mL vs 12.8 mL +/- 0.7 mL, respectively).
Conclusion: For improving angiographic potential in the LDM, ES can be started safely immediately post-CMP at 15 cpm (a 1:4 or 1:5 regimen) and single impulses per burst. For partial cardiac assist and for improving LDM performance, cardiac assist can be used for 30 minutes twice daily immediately post-CMP. To rest the muscle and save it from overuse, muscle contraction can be either stopped or slowed down during hours of sleep.