THE EVALUATION OF LEFT VENTRICULAR FUNCTION UNDER CARDIOMYOPLASTY USING A CONDUCTANCE CATHETER Cardiomyoplast

Abstract

Cardiomyoplast (CMP) has been performed for heart failure patients. The evaluation of cardiac function under CMP, however, was difficult and the performance of CMP was unclear in clinical cases. In order to clarify the effect of CMP, we applied left ventricular pressure-volume loops relationship using a conduct-ance catheter (CC) in acute animal expert-ments. In normal heart goats (n=5), electrically preconditioned latissimus dorsi muscle flap (LDMF) was sutured around the ventricle counterclockwise and was stimulated synchronously by the electrical stimulator with bursts. The left ventricular volume was measured using a CC with and without LDMF stimulation. Maximal end-systolic volume elastance (Ees) was determined from multiple pressure-volume loops obtained during a brief preload reduction by occlusion of an inferior vena cava. There are no significant differences in Ees, stroke volume, left ventricular(LV) end-diastolic pressure, LV end-systolic pressure and end-diastolic volume between, with and without LDMF stimulation. These data showed that the CMP did not affect LV performances of normal heart in goats. However, a CC was useful to evaluate LV functions and to avoid the limitation of cardiac diastolic movement with CMP.