Related Experiment Videos
[Circulatory support by an electrically stimulated muscle flap. Experimental experiences]
W Girsch1, R Koller, H Lanmüller
1Universitätsklinik für Chirurgie, Abteilung Wiederherstellende und Plastische Chirurgie, Universität Wien, Osterreich.
Handchirurgie, Mikrochirurgie, Plastische Chirurgie : Organ Der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft Fur Handchirurgie : Organ Der Deutschsprachigen Arbeitsgemeinschaft Fur Mikrochirurgie Der Peripheren Nerven Und Gefasse : Organ Der V
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Functional electrical stimulation transforms the latissimus dorsi muscle flap into a fatigue-resistant cardiac assist device. This innovative technique shows promise for enhancing circulatory assistance in cardiac surgery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiac Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
- Muscle Physiology
Background:
- The latissimus dorsi muscle flap is traditionally used in reconstructive surgery.
- Adapting this flap for cardiac surgery requires a fatigue-resistant muscle for long-term circulatory assistance.
- Functional electrical stimulation (FES) offers a method to condition muscles for endurance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of transforming the latissimus dorsi muscle flap into a fatigue-resistant muscle for cardiac assistance.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the conditioned latissimus dorsi muscle flap in cardiomyoplasty for circulatory support.
Main Methods:
- Sheep were used to test a multichannel stimulation protocol to condition the latissimus dorsi muscle (MLD).
- The conditioned MLD was then subjected to continuous stimulation to assess fatigue resistance.
- In acute experiments, the MLD was surgically adapted for cardiomyoplasty and stimulated synchronously with the EKG.
Main Results:
- Continuous stimulation of the conditioned MLD at 70 contractions per minute was achieved without significant fatigue.
- A reduction of approximately one-third in maximal force was observed after the conditioning procedure.
- EKG-synchronous stimulation of the MLD flap during cardiomyoplasty increased left ventricular pressure by 12-53% and arterial pressure by 10.6-58%.
Conclusions:
- Functional electrical stimulation can successfully transform the latissimus dorsi muscle into a fatigue-resistant muscle for prolonged use.
- The conditioned latissimus dorsi muscle flap shows significant potential as a cardiomyoplasty device for cardiac circulatory assistance.