Stroke volume validation and energy evaluation for the dynamic training of skeletal muscle ventricles

Skeletal muscle ventricles used for cardiac assistance were trained dynamically by shifting volume within an elastic training device. To optimize this dynamic training that is by variation of stimulation patterns and application of drugs, methods for stroke volume and energy evaluation were required. A volume shift induced by a muscle contraction resulted in a pressure rise in the training device. Stroke volume was calculated by relating the pressure difference of a muscle contraction to the device's compliance. For validation of the calculated stroke volume, a mock system was built to simulate muscle contractions under various conditions. The stroke volume measured independently and calculated by means of the pressure rise inside the training device, showed an approximately one-to-one relation (R=0.996). Calculation of delivered energy from skeletal muscle ventricles thereby became possible. This method offers a simple, reliable and practical procedure to quantify the dynamic training of skeletal muscle ventricles for use in cardiac assistance.