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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2003;23:81-85
© 2003 Elsevier Science NL

Maintained benefits and improved survival of dynamic cardiomyoplasty by activity–rest stimulation: 5-year results of the Italian trial on ‘demand’ dynamic cardiomyoplasty

^a Cardiomyoplasty Project Unit, Legnago General Hospital, Verona, Italy
^b Montescano Medical Center, ‘Fondazione Maugeri’, Montescano, Pavia, Italy
^c Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padua, Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy

Received 30 July 2002; received in revised form 16 September 2002; accepted 1 October 2002.

* Corresponding author. Via T Speri, 18, 37040 Legnago, Verona, Italy. Tel.: +39-044-2632-329; fax: +39-044-2632-311
e-mail: jackyheart{at}hotmail.com

Objective: Latissimus dorsi (LD) muscular degeneration caused by continuous electrical stimulation has been the main cause of the poor results of dynamic cardiomyoplasty (DCMP) and its exclusion from the recent international guidelines on heart failure. To avoid full transformation of the LD and to improve results, a new stimulation protocol was developed; fewer impulses per day are delivered, providing the LD wrap with daily periods of rest (‘demand’ stimulation), based on a heart rate cut-off. The aim of this work is to report the results at 5 years of follow-up of the Italian Trial of Demand Dynamic Cardiomyoplasty and to discuss their impact on the destiny of this type of cardiac assistance. Methods: Twelve patients with dilated myocardiopathy (M/F=11/1, mean age 58.2±5.8 years, sinus rhythm/atrial fibrillation=11/1) were submitted during the period 1993–1996 to DCMP and at different intervals to demand protocol. Clinical, echocardiographic, mechanographic and cardiac invasive assessments were scheduled before initiating the demand protocol and during the follow-up at 0, 6 and every 12 months. Results: The mean duration of follow-up was 40.2±13.8 months (range 18–64). There were no perioperative deaths. The demand stimulation protocol showed a decrease in 5 years in New York Health Association (NYHA) class (3.17±0.38–1.67±0.77, P=0.0001), an improvement of left ventricular ejection fraction (22.6±4.38–32.0±7.0, P<0.001), a 5-year actuarial survival of 83.3% (one patient was switched to heart transplantation programme due to clinical worsening and another one died of massive pulmonary embolism). Conclusions: Demand DCMP maintains over time LD muscular properties, enhances clinical benefits and improves survival of DCMP, thus reopening the debate whether this type of treatment should be considered in patients with end-stage heart failure.

Key Words: Heart failure • Circulatory assist • Dynamic cardiomyoplasty