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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: BACKGROUND, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Animals, Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation, Cardiac Volume, Coronary Thrombosis, Dogs, Myocardial Contraction, Pericardium, Polyesters, Suture Techniques, Ventricular Dysfunction, Left, Ventricular Remodeling.
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Does passive epicardial containment prevent ventricular remodeling in heart failure? Context: We examined the effects of passive containment of the cardiac ventricles with a surgically placed epicardial prosthetic wrap on indexes of left ventricular (LV) remodeling in dogs with heart failure. Heart failure (LV ejection fraction 30% to 40%) was produced in 12 dogs by intracoronary microembolization. Six dogs underwent mid-sternotomy and pericardiotomy with placement of a preformed-knitted polyester device (Acorn Cardiac Support Device [CSD], Acorn Cardiovascular, Inc, St. Paul, MN) snugly around the ventricles and anchored to the atrioventricular groove. Six dogs did not undergo surgery and served as controls. Dogs were followed for 3 months prior to sacrifice. In controls, LV end-diastolic volume increased after 3 months (67 +/- 12 versus 83 +/- 8 ml; p = 0.04), while in CSD-treated dogs, it decreased (68 +/- 10 versus 61 +/- 10 ml; p = 0.002). CSD-containment of LV size was associated with increased LV systolic fractional area of shortening, while in controls, fractional area of shortening decreased. CSD-treated dogs also showed amelioration of myocyte hypertrophy and attenuation of interstitial fibrosis compared to controls.
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In dogs with heart failure, passive epicardial containment of the ventricles with the Acorn CSD ameliorates LV remodeling and improves LV systolic function. Final Decision: yes