OPTIMIZING MUSCLE SYNCHRONIZATION AFTER DYNAMIC CARDIOMYOPLASTY - 2 EDUCATIONAL CASES

Muscle stimulator programming is fundamental is ensuring optimal latis simus dorsi graft function after cardiomyoplasty. The ventricle-muscle synchronization delay has a significant effect on graft function, but can be difficult to optimize. The established method for ensuring app ropriate synchronization involves the use of M-mode echocardiography. We present two educational cases in which M-mode and Doppler echocardi ography have been instrumental in illustrating electrophysiologic and haemodynamic factors which need to be considered in evaluating an appr opriate synchronization delay.