Activity-rest stimulation of latissimus dorsi for cardiomyoplasty: 1-year results in sheep.

BACKGROUND: In dynamic cardiomyoplasty electro-stimulation achieves full transformation of the latissimus dorsi (LD); therefore, its slowness limits the systolic support. Daily activity-rest could maintain partial transformation of the LD. METHODS: Sheep LD were burst-stimulated either 10 or 24 hours/day. Before and 2, 4, 6, and 12 months after stimulation, LD power output, fatigue resistance, and tetanic fusion frequency were assessed. Latissimus dorsi were biopsied at 6 months, and sheep sacrificed at 12 months. RESULTS: After 1 year of 10 hours/day stimulation LD was substantially conserved and contained large amounts of fast type myosin. From 2 months to 1 year of stimulation the power per muscle of the daily rested LD was greater than that of the left ventricle, being three to four times higher than in the 24-hour/day stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: If extended to humans, these results could be the rationale for the need of a cardiomyostimulator, whose discontinuous activity could offer to patients the long-standing advantage of a faster and powerful muscle contraction.

Surgical approach to combined carotids and coronaries lesions.

A preoperative carotid evaluation by a Duplex Scanner ATL Mark V has been carried out in 338 patients candidates to CABG. When a critical lesion was detected a digital angiography was subsequently performed. In 19 patients an operation was done because the coexistence of lesions in the carotids and the coronaries. The indications, the timing of the operations and the surgical approach are discussed. In the Author's minds the combined procedure seems to be advisable.

Early thrombosis of an aortic St. Jude valve in spite of effective anticoagulant treatment.

A case of early thrombosis of a St. Jude Medical valve in aortic position in a patient under full anticoagulant treatment is presented. Possible etiologic factors are discussed.