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Ann Thorac Surg 2001;71:852-861
© 2001 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Original article: cardiovascular

Combination of preconditioning and delayed flap elevation: evidence for improved perfusion and oxygenation of the latissimus dorsi muscle for cardiomyoplasty

^a Department of Cardiac Surgery, National Heart and Lung Institute, London, United Kingdom
^b Physiological Flow Studies Group, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
^c Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Accepted for publication September 14, 2000.

Address reprint requests to Dr Barron, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham B4 6NH, United Kingdom
e-mail: dbarron{at}bhamchildrens.wmids.nhs.uk

Background. Atrophy and fibrosis of the distal part of the latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) wrap is a recognized complication of cardiomyoplasty that has been attributed to ischemia. Failure of the muscle wrap contributes to the late attrition seen in clinical cardiomyoplasty. In this study we examined the role of two-staged mobilization and of preconditioning by electrical stimulation on the regional perfusion and oxygenation of the LDM.

Methods. In a rabbit model (n = 36) the LDM was preconditioned as follows: group A muscles received preconditioning in situ; group B muscles were partially mobilized by dividing the intercostal perforators and then preconditioned; and group C muscles were completely mobilized and wrapped around a silicone-rubber mandrel before conditioning. Controls received no conditioning. The preconditioning regimen consisted of 2 weeks of continuous stimulation at 2.5 Hz. At completion of preconditioning the muscles were fully mobilized and mounted on a muscle-testing apparatus. Purpose-built microelectrodes measured regional Po₂ and perfusion using a diffusible gas tracer technique. Muscles were weighed and processed for fiber typing and capillary counting.

Results. All preconditioned muscles demonstrated fiber transformation, with increased fatigue resistance. Perfusion of preconditioned muscles both at rest and during contraction was higher than control in the proximal part of the muscle. Distal regions of group B muscles had higher perfusion and capillary density than any other group (p < 0.05). Distal regions of group C had the lowest perfusion and capillary density, and showed muscle atrophy and histologic evidence of necrosis. During fatigue testing there was a decrease in the Po₂ in the distal regions of the control and group C muscles (p < 0.05), whereas it was maintained at resting levels in both group A and B muscles.

Conclusions. Conditioning in situ improves perfusion of the distal LDM and prevents a fall in tissue Po₂ during contraction. Two-stage mobilization further improves distal perfusion and capillary density. In contrast, short-term elevation followed by conditioning produces impaired distal perfusion, decrease in Po₂, and fiber necrosis in the distal muscle. The present study suggests that partial mobilization of the LDM performed at the same time as placement of electrodes for preconditioning may prepare the LDM better for the demands of cardiomyoplasty.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. M. Alvarez Dynamic cardiomyoplasty: "the truth that dare not speak its name". Ann. Thorac. Surg., January 1, 2002; 73(1): 346 - 347. [Full Text] [PDF]