What is cardiomyoplasty?

Cardiomyoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves wrapping the patient's own skeletal muscles around the heart to help it pump more efficiently. The muscle used for the procedure is typically taken from the back, chest, or abdomen, and is attached to the heart and stimulated by a pacemaker to contract in synchrony with the heart's natural rhythm.

This procedure is typically used in patients with severe heart failure who have exhausted other treatment options, such as medications and implantable devices. The goal of cardiomyoplasty is to improve the heart's ability to pump blood and reduce symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath and fatigue.

Cardiomyoplasty is a relatively new procedure, and its effectiveness and long-term outcomes are still being studied. There are also some risks associated with the procedure, such as infection, muscle atrophy, and failure of the muscle to contract properly.