Cardiomyoplasty is an experimental surgical procedure designed to treat heart failure by utilizing skeletal muscle, usually the latissimus dorsi, to assist the heart in pumping blood. In this procedure, the surgeon wraps the latissimus dorsi muscle around the heart and connects it to a device that synchronizes the contraction of this muscle with the heart's natural rhythm. Over time, the muscle is conditioned to contract rhythmically, helping the weakened heart pump more effectively. Cardiomyoplasty was developed as an alternative treatment for patients with end-stage heart failure who are not candidates for heart transplantation. The need for cardiomyoplasty typically arises in patients with severe heart failure, often caused by dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease, or other conditions that result in a weakened and enlarged heart muscle. These conditions impair the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently, leading to symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs and abdomen, and an overall reduced quality of life. Symptoms that lead to consideration of cardiomyoplasty include worsening heart failure, persistent fatigue, and reduced ability to perform physical activities despite medication or other treatments. By mechanically supporting the heart, cardiomyoplasty aims to improve cardiac output and relieve symptoms of heart failure. However, the procedure has fallen out of favor in recent years due to advances in heart failure treatments, such as ventricular assist devices (VADs) and improved transplant options. Cardiomyoplasty remains an important step in the evolution of heart failure treatment, though it is rarely performed today.
