Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Muscle pump surgery tested in dogs with dilated heart disease
By White, R N et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·1997·Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Skeletal muscle extra-aortic counterpulsation in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of seven dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (a serious heart condition) underwent a special surgery to help their hearts pump better. This procedure involved using a muscle from their own body to assist the heart's function. Unfortunately, two dogs passed away shortly after surgery, and one of the remaining dogs had the device fail within two days. However, the other four dogs showed some improvement in heart function shortly after the procedure, although these benefits did not last long-term. This suggests that using muscle to support heart function might be a potential treatment for dogs with this condition, but more research is needed.
People also search for: dog dilated cardiomyopathy treatment · heart surgery for dogs · improving dog heart function
Abstract
Skeletal muscle extra-aortic counterpulsation was performed in seven dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy. A left latissimus dorsi dynamic descending thoracic aortomyoplasty was used as the autologous counterpulsator. Pulse train stimulation in diastole was used to initiate contraction and fibre type transformation. Two of the dogs died within 48 hours of surgery. The device was successfully activated in the five remaining dogs, but in one individual it failed within 48 hours of activation. Serial echocardiographic examinations of dogs in which the device functioned successfully (n = 4) showed trends towards the decrease in the left ventricular systolic internal dimension, left ventricular diastolic internal dimension, E-point to septal separation and left atrial diameter in systole seven to 14 days following the procedure, although these changes failed to persist in the long-term. The results suggest that skeletal muscle for cardiac assistances such as extra-aortic muscle counterpulsation, might be a therapeutic option for dogs with cardiac failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9444637/