Patient management and clinical follow-up after cardiomyoplasty

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of patient management following latissimus dorsi cardiomyoplasty, based on clinical experience with 34 patients operated on between 1985 and 1990. Postoperative patient care includes: (1) clinical follow-up, (2) electrostimulation management, and (3) management of complications. The efficacy of cardiomyoplasty is principally evaluated by the quality-of-life before and after cardiomyoplasty (New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class), number of rehospitalizations due to congestive heart failure, amount of pharmacological support, exercise capacity, postoperative reintegration and adaptation to working life, and late survival.