Right ventricular dynamic cardiomyoplasty for the univentricular heart with pulmonary hypertension

OBJECTIVES: We conducted an acute experimental study to test the feasibility of dynamic cardiomyoplasty in a setting of modified Fontan procedure for univentricular heart with pulmonary hypertension to obtain a possible proxy for high-risk Fontan candidates. METHODS: After electrical preconditioning of the left latissimuss dorsi for 6 weeks in 8 dogs, the right ventricular cavity was totally obliterated with concomittent closure of the tricuspid valve and right pulmonary artery. Modified Fontan circulation was established with the aortic homograft anastomosed between the right atrium and pulmonary trunk, incorporated with a pericardial pouch as a compression chamber (neoright ventricle) fixed onto the epicardial surface of the ventricle. After cardiopulmonary bypass termination, a latissimus dorsi was applied to wrap the pericardial pouch and ventricle clockwise and stimulated with a trained-pulse (25 Hz) at 1:1 synchronization ratio with cardiac beats. RESULTS: Profound right heart failure was noted during Fontan circulation in increased pulmonary vascular resistance (11 +/- 3.2 Wood units), whereas graft pacing showed significant augmentation of systolic pulmonary pressure by 54 +/- 12%, the mean pulmonary flow by 68 +/- 23%, and aortic pressure by 23 +/- 5% at a physiological range of central venous pressure (13.2 +/- 0.7 mmHg). Right heart function curve analysis confirmed marked augmentation of right heart performance, restoring almost normal pulmonary circulation. These functional benefits were sustained up to 4 hours in 4 animals until experiments were terminated. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic cardiomyoplasty in a modified Fontan procedure is a viable surgical option for univentricular heart, not a Fontan candidate.