Skeletal muscle ventricles: frontiers in 1995.

Skeletal muscle ventricles (SMVs) constructed from electrically conditioned latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) may become an alternative for assisting the failing heart. Left and right heart circulatory assist using SMVs has been performed successfully in both acute and chronic animal models. The configurations used to connect SMVs to the circulation have included a left atrium to aorta bypass, a left ventricle apex to aorta bypass, aortic counterpulsators, a cavopulmonary bypass, and a right ventricle to pulmonary artery bypass. One SMV used as an aortic counterpulsator functioned effectively in the circulation for more than 27 months. Recent application of the pericardium to the SMV as an inner layer and design changes in the connection of the SMV to the circulation have reduced the risk of thrombus formation and SMV rupture. Although several problems have yet to be solved, the goal of the SMV as a permanent circulatory assist device without the limitation of an external power source seems within reach.