Present status of cardiomyoplasty]

Direct ventricular assist and myocardial replacement using skeletal muscle, so-called dynamic cardiomyoplasty, are promised as an effective treatment of choice in severe cardiac failure. Owing to the use of autologous muscle, the risk of rejection can be ignored, which is problematic in cardiac transplantation. More than 300 cases have been reported in the world. Since a cardiac transplant protocol has not been started yet in our country, we are hoping that clinical experience with these treatments solves our problem.