Assisted circulation using cardiomyoplasty together with aortomyoplasty.

Both dynamic cardiomyoplasty and counterpulsation by the synchronous paced contraction of skeletal muscles in aortomyoplasty can improve ventricular function. The goal of this study was to clarify the effect of cardiomyoplasty combined with aortomyoplasty on cardiac dysfunction in dogs. The percentage of increase in various hemodynamic parameters was calculated during assisted and unassisted cardiac cycles and was compared for three groups: cardiomyoplasty only (Group A), aortomyoplasty only (Group B), and both methods combined (Group C). In Group A, the left ventricular pressure (LVP), systolic aortic pressure (systolic AoP), and dp/dt of LVP (LVdp/dt) increased significantly; the diastolic aortic pressure (diastolic AoP) did not change; and the endocardial viability ration (EVR) decreased during assisted cardiac cycles. In Group B, the diastolic AoP and EVR were improved significantly, but the LVP, LVdp/dt, and systolic AoP were unchanged during assisted cardiac cycles. In contrast to Groups A and B, all parameters were improved in Group C during assisted cardiac cycles. Cardiac assistance using cardiomyoplasty together with aortomyoplasty was more effective than either procedure used alone.