Methods and apparatus to stimulate the heart
First Claim
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1. A device for controlling heart contraction to reduce blood pressure, the device comprising:
- at least one electrically conductive lead configured to connect to a heart of a patient;
an electrical pulse generator connectable to the at least one electrically conductive lead and configured to;
allow for a first atrial contraction of an atrium of the heart of the patient,allow for a first ventricular contraction of a ventricle of the heart of the patient;
pace the heart during a pacing period after expiration of an atrial refractory period associated with the first atrial contraction and within a ventricular refractory period associated with the first ventricular contraction; and
cause, by the pacing of the heart during the pacing period, a second atrial contraction without eliciting a corresponding second ventricular contraction.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for treatment of hypertension and heart failure by increasing secretion of endogenous atrial hormones by pacing of the heart. Pacing is done during the ventricular refractory period resulting in premature atrial contraction that does not result in ventricular contraction. Pacing results in the atrial wall stress, peripheral vasodilation, ANP secretion. Concomitant reduction of the heart rate is monitored and controlled as needed with backup pacing.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device for controlling heart contraction to reduce blood pressure, the device comprising:
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at least one electrically conductive lead configured to connect to a heart of a patient; an electrical pulse generator connectable to the at least one electrically conductive lead and configured to; allow for a first atrial contraction of an atrium of the heart of the patient, allow for a first ventricular contraction of a ventricle of the heart of the patient; pace the heart during a pacing period after expiration of an atrial refractory period associated with the first atrial contraction and within a ventricular refractory period associated with the first ventricular contraction; and cause, by the pacing of the heart during the pacing period, a second atrial contraction without eliciting a corresponding second ventricular contraction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A device for treating a blood pressure disorder in a patient, the device comprising:
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at least one electrically conductive lead configured to connect to a heart of the patient; an electrical pulse generator connectable to the at least one electrically conductive lead and configured to; pace the heart of the patient so as to cause an atrial contraction at least in part against a closed heart valve; cause increased atrial wall stress by the atrial contraction; cause release of a natriuretic hormone by the increased atrial wall stress; and reduce the patient'"'"'s blood pressure from a pretreatment blood pressure by the released natriuretic hormone. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A device for treating a blood pressure disorder in a patient, the device comprising:
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an electrical pulse generator connectable to at least one electrically conductive lead configured to connect to a heart of the patient, wherein the electrical pulse generator is configured to; pace the heart so as to cause an atrial contraction at least in part against a closed heart valve; cause increased atrial wall stress by the atrial contraction; cause release of a natriuretic hormone by the increased atrial wall stress; and reduce the patient'"'"'s blood pressure from a pretreatment blood pressure by the released natriuretic hormone.
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Specification