A Modified Surgical Ventricular Reconstruction in Post-infarction Mice Persistently Alleviates Heart Failure and Improves Cardiac Regeneration

Objectives: Large ventricular aneurysm secondary to myocardial infarction (MI) results in severe heart failure (HF) and limits the effectiveness of regeneration therapy, which can be improved by surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR). However, the conventional SVR procedures do not yield optimal long-term outcome in post-MI rodents. We hypothesized that a modified SVR procedure without aggressive purse string suture would persistently alleviate HF and improve cardiac regeneration in post-MI mice.Methods: Adult male C57 mice were subjected to MI or sham surgery. Four weeks later, mice with MI underwent SVR or 2nd open-chest operation alone. SVR was performed by plicating the aneurysm with a single diagonal linear suture from the upper left ventricle (LV) to the right side of the apex. Cardiac remodeling, heart function and myocardial regeneration were evaluated.Results: Three weeks after SVR, the scar area, LV volume, and heart weight/body weight ratio were significantly smaller, while LV ejection fraction, the maximum rising and descending rates of LV pressure, LV contractility and global myocardial strain were significantly higher in SVR group than in SVR-control group. The inhibitory effects of SVR on LV remodeling and HF persisted for at least eight-week. SVR group exhibited improved cardiac regeneration, as reflected by more Ki67-, Aurora B- and PH3-positive cardiomyocytes and a higher vessel density around the plication area of the infarcted LV.Conclusions: SVR with a single linear suture results in a significant and sustained reduction in LV volume and improvement in both LV systolic and diastolic function as well as cardiac regeneration.

Surgical management of heart failure

: Optimal management of heart failure is collaborative, with involvement of specialist heart failure physicians, nurses, interventionalists and surgeons. In addition to medical optimisation and cardiac resynchronisation therapy, surgery plays a valuable role in many patients. We herein detail the evidence behind and role for surgical intervention in functional mitral regurgitation, coronary revascularisation in ischaemic cardiomyopathy, and surgical ventricular reconstruction. Additionally, we describe techniques of temporary and durable mechanical circulatory support, with their relative advantages and disadvantages and applications. Finally, we describe the history and nomenclature around heart transplant, its indications, techniques, present-day outcomes, complications, and new developments in the field.

Coronary artery bypass grafting with surgical ventricular reconstruction

The increase in left ventricular volume after a myocardial infarction is a component of the remodelling process leading to heart failure and it is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Hence, the current management strategy for ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction has been aimed to reverse the remodelling process by medical therapy, devices and/or surgical strategies. Surgical ventricular reconstruction, usually combined with myocardial revascularization, has been introduced as an optional therapeutic strategy aimed to reduce the left ventricle through the exclusion of the scar tissue. Surgical ventricular reconstruction is recommended in selected heart failure patients, especially if a postoperative left ventricular end-systolic volume index less than 70 mL/m2 can be predictably achieved, because a smaller residual volume is associated with improved survival. This chapter briefly discusses the rationale to surgically reverse left ventricular remodelling, the technique, and the indications to the best of the authors’ knowledge, coming from one of the centres with the most experience in SVR worldwide.

Minimally invasive left ventricular reconstruction of a postinfarction, anterior left ventricular scar (BioVentrix Revivent TC procedure)

Surgical ventricular reconstruction is a proven option for treating patients who have heart failure due to a postinfarction scar or an aneurysm of the left ventricle. The BioVentrix Revivent TC System offers a reliable alternative to the conventional, more invasive surgical ventricular restoration. The system requires no sternotomy, no heart–lung machine, and no cardioplegic arrest. In this video tutorial, we present our technique for using the Revivent TC System to reconstruct the normal left ventricular shape and volume in a patient with a postinfarction, anteroapical scar.