Cardiomyoplasty--current status.

ABSTRACT

Dynamic cardiomyoplasty is a new surgical technique that uses transformed (electrostimulated) skeletal muscle to reinforce or replace damaged myocardium. The clinical benefits of cardiomyoplasty have not been as dramatic as its evolution. However, with the limitations of cardiac transplantation and with further developments in cardiomyoplasty, this technique is likely to be established as a viable alternative in selected patients with refractory cardiac failure. Basic research and animal studies suggest that there could be a possible role of cardiomyoplasty in certain pediatric cardiac disorders.