Skeletal muscle ventricles in circulation as aortic diastolic counterpulsators: twelve-month update.

In previous studies, we have shown that canine skeletal muscle ventricles (SMVs) of various designs could develop stroke work intermediate between that of the canine left and right ventricle. We have subsequently reported that SMVs could be used as aortic diastolic counterpulsators. In some animals the SMVs pumped blood effectively for several weeks. Thromboembolism, however, caused renal failure, which was responsible for the demise of the longest surviving animals. More recently, we have studied a group of 15 dogs that had skeletal muscle ventricles constructed from their latissimus dorsi muscle and lined with autogenously derived tissues, either pleura, pericardium or fibrous tissue induced by a Teflon mandrel. We now report on one of those animals, that has survived more than 1 year. She remains active and in apparent good health with no clinical evidence of thromboemboli. Her SMV continues to generate effective aortic diastolic counterpulsation.