Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2026
Reduction in Left Ventricular Wall Stress and Improvement in Function in Failing Hearts using Algisyl-LVR
Published on: April 8, 2013
Effects of dynamic cardiomyoplasty on regional wall motion, ejection fraction, and geometry of left ventricle
E A Bocchi1, L F Moreira, A V de Moraes
1Instituto do Coracao, Hospital das Clinicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Insights
Dynamic cardiomyoplasty significantly improved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and regional wall motion in heart failure patients. The procedure also enhanced LV geometry, leading to a more spherical shape.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Surgical Innovation
- Heart Failure Management
Background:
- Dynamic cardiomyoplasty is a potential treatment for heart failure.
- The procedure aims to improve cardiac function and hemodynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of cardiomyoplasty on left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction.
- To assess changes in regional wall motion and LV geometry post-surgery.
Main Methods:
- LV angiography was performed on 10 patients before and after cardiomyoplasty.
- Ejection fraction, regional wall motion, and LV geometry were analyzed with and without myostimulator activation.
Main Results:
- LV ejection fraction increased from 15% to 30.9% with the myostimulator on (p < 0.01).
- Significant improvements in regional wall motion were observed across all regions.
- The left ventricle became more spherical in diastole, indicating improved geometry.
Conclusions:
- Dynamic cardiomyoplasty can enhance LV function in select heart failure patients.
- Observed improvements in LV wall motion and geometry support the efficacy of the procedure.
Background:
Dynamic cardiomyoplasty may provide functional and hemodynamic improvement in patients with heart failure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cardiomyoplasty on global ejection fraction, regional wall motion, and geometry of the left ventricle.
Methods And Results:
These parameters were determined in 10 patients submitted to cardiomyoplasty for treatment of refractory heart failure by left ventricular (LV) angiography. The studies were performed before and 16.5 +/- 4.8 months after cardiomyoplasty with the myostimulator turned on. They were repeated 24 +/- 1 hours with the myostimulator turned off in eight patients. LV ejection fractions were determined by the area-length method, and the centerline method was used for assessment of regional wall motion. LV geometry was studied by LV major-to-minor axis ratio and sphericity index. A LV ejection fraction improvement from 15 +/- 8% to 30.9 +/- 8.3% (p < 0.01) was demonstrated with the myostimulator turned on after cardiomyoplasty. The values with the myostimulator turned off were 23 +/- 13%, remaining higher than the values observed before surgery (p < 0.05). Regional wall motion analysis showed an improvement in all studied regions. Regarding the LV shape, the left ventricle became markedly more spheric in the diastole.
Conclusions:
Dynamic cardiomyoplasty may improve LV function in selected patients. The analysis of LV wall motion corroborated these results, and these changes were associated with modifications in the LV geometry.
