Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Ultrasound Based Assessment of Coronary Artery Flow and Coronary Flow Reserve Using the Pressure Overload Model in Mice
Published on: April 13, 2015
Increased coronary artery blood flow with aortomyoplasty in chronic heart failure
B L Cmolik1, D R Thompson, J T Sherwood
1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-5011, USA. blc3@po.cwru.edu
Background:
We hypothesized that diastolic counter-pulsation using aortomyoplasty will increase coronary blood flow.
Methods:
In dogs (n = 6, 20 to 25 kg), the left latissimus dorsi muscle was isolated, wrapped around the descending thoracic aorta, and conditioned by chronic electrical stimulation. Heart failure was induced by rapid ventricular pacing. In a terminal study, left ventricular and aortic pressures, and blood flow in the left anterior descending coronary artery and descending aorta were measured. The endocardial-viability ratio was calculated.
Results:
Aortomyoplasty increased mean diastolic aortic pressure (70 +/- 5 to 75 +/- 5 mm Hg, p < 0.05) and reduced peak left ventricular pressure (86 +/- 4 to 84 +/- 4 mm Hg, p < 0.05), leading to a 16% increase in endocardial-viability ratio (1.29 +/- 0.05 to 1.49 +/- 0.05, p < 0.05). Coronary blood flow was increased by 15% (8.2 +/- 1.5 to 9.4 +/- 1.6 mL/min, p < 0.05). During muscle contraction, 2.7 +/- 0.5 mL was ejected from the wrapped aortic segment.
Conclusions:
These data demonstrate that aortomyoplasty provides successful diastolic counterpulsation after muscle conditioning and heart failure.
More Related Videos
13:10Direct Re-implantation of Left Coronary Artery into the Aorta in Adults with Anomalous Origin of Left Coronary Artery from the Pulmonary Artery (ALCAPA)
Published on: April 24, 2017
05:25Surgical Porcine Model of Chronic Myocardial Ischemia Treated by Exosome-laden Collagen Patch and Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
Published on: September 15, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
Aortic Regurgitation I: Introduction
Aortic Regurgitation III: Medical Management
Aortic Regurgitation IV: Nursing Management
Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care