USE OF SKELETAL-MUSCLE GRAFTS FOR CARDIAC ASSIST

Skeletal muscle is a potential power source for cardiac assist. Two approaches have been used to harvest this power: dynamic cardiomyoplasty, which involves the application of a muscle directly to the heart to support cardiac contractile function; and the construction of skeletal muscle pouches or ventricles, which are used as separate pumps working either in parallel or in series with the heart. These techniques may represent an alternate therapeutic approach in patients with end-stage heart disease or in infants with certain congenital heart anomalies.