System and Method for Controlling Ventricular Pacing During AF Based on Underlying Ventricular Rates Using an Implantable Medical Device
First Claim
1. A method for use by an implantable medical device equipped to selectively deliver pacing therapy to the ventricles during atrial fibrillation (AF), comprising:
- inputting a maximum ventricular rate increase;
detecting AF within the heart of a patient in which the device is implanted;
determining an underlying intrinsic ventricular rate during AF; and
delivering ventricular pacing therapy during AF at a ventricular rate not exceeding a maximum rate set based on the underlying intrinsic ventricular rate and the maximum rate increase.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques are provided for controlling ventricular pacing during an episode of atrial fibrillation (AF) for use by a pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or other implantable medical device. In one example, upon detection of AF, the underlying intrinsic ventricular rate of the patient is determined prior to delivering any ventricular pacing. Then, a ventricular pacing procedure—such as dynamic ventricular overdrive (DVO) pacing—is activated to reduce ventricular rate variability to mitigate the adverse effects of AF. The ventricular pacing procedure employed during AF is controlled based on a maximum ventricular rate set relative to the underlying intrinsic ventricular rate so as to keep an overall ventricular rate below the maximum rate.
22 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for use by an implantable medical device equipped to selectively deliver pacing therapy to the ventricles during atrial fibrillation (AF), comprising:
-
inputting a maximum ventricular rate increase; detecting AF within the heart of a patient in which the device is implanted; determining an underlying intrinsic ventricular rate during AF; and delivering ventricular pacing therapy during AF at a ventricular rate not exceeding a maximum rate set based on the underlying intrinsic ventricular rate and the maximum rate increase. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A system for use with an implantable medical device equipped to selectively deliver pacing therapy to the ventricles, comprising:
-
an atrial fibrillation (AF) detection unit; an AF-based underlying intrinsic ventricular rate determination unit; and an AF-responsive ventricular pacing controller operative during AF to deliver ventricular pacing at a ventricular rate not exceeding a maximum rate set based on the underlying intrinsic ventricular rate and a maximum rate increase. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
-
-
19. A system for use with an implantable medical device equipped to selectively deliver pacing therapy to the ventricles during an episode of atrial fibrillation (AF), comprising:
-
means for detecting AF; means for determining an underlying intrinsic ventricular rate during AF; and means for delivering ventricular pacing therapy during AF at a ventricular rate not exceeding a maximum rate set based on the underlying intrinsic ventricular rate and a maximum rate increase. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification