A Clinical-pathological Study 2 Years Following Cardiomyoplasty: Intact Latissimus Dorsi Muscle and Metabolic Tranformation of Myofibers

A young patient died suddenly 2 years after cardiomyoplasty.The anatomo-pathological study showed cardiomegaly and confirmed a classic dilated cardiomyopathy. The Latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) covered both ventricles and hard adhesions between epicardium and epimisium were seen. The electrodes remained in the original position. Some interstitial fibrosis and fiber atrophy and degeneration, were observed around the electrodes. Histological and enzyme-histochemical studies showed that the muscle morphology of the LDM flap stimulated up to 2 years was well preserved. Morphological changes seen in some fibers were isolated on occasional events. Also in the present case, muscle fiber transformation into fatigue resistant, oxidative type 1 fibers was almost complete after the long-term electric stimulation.