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Chronic morphologic changes of skeletal muscle ventricles in circulation
H Nakajima1, H O Nakajima, G A Thomas
1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48201.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Skeletal muscle ventricles (SMVs) used for cardiac assist showed wall thinning and rupture at suture lines. Further research is needed to address SMV rupture and thrombus formation for clinical application.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Skeletal muscle ventricles (SMVs) offer a potential solution for cardiac assistance.
- Previous studies have explored SMV construction using the latissimus dorsi muscle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively evaluate the relationship between morphologic changes in SMVs and their duration in circulation.
- To identify challenges hindering the clinical application of SMVs.
Main Methods:
- Construction of extrathoracic and intrathoracic SMVs in 44 dogs using the left latissimus dorsi muscle.
- SMVs functioned as aortic counterpulsators for up to 216 days.
- Retrospective analysis of excised SMVs to assess morphologic changes and correlate with time in circulation.
Main Results:
- SMV chamber volume did not correlate with time in circulation.
- While overall wall thickness was preserved, the muscular component tended to decrease over time.
- Rupture occurred in 15 dogs, exclusively at suture lines, between postoperative days 4 and 39.
- Thrombus formation was observed in 24 SMVs.
Conclusions:
- Significant challenges, including rupture and thrombus formation, must be overcome before clinical SMV application.
- A deeper understanding of SMV's long-term morphologic changes is crucial for improving device reliability and patient outcomes.