Methods and Apparatus to Stimulate the Heart
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling heart contraction to reduce blood pressure, the method comprising:
- allowing for a first atrial contraction of an atrium of a heart of a patient;
allowing for a first ventricular contraction of a ventricle of the heart of the patient;
pacing 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
causing, 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
18 Claims
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1. A method for controlling heart contraction to reduce blood pressure, the method comprising:
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allowing for a first atrial contraction of an atrium of a heart of a patient; allowing for a first ventricular contraction of a ventricle of the heart of the patient; pacing 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 causing, 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)
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5. A method for treating a blood pressure disorder in a patient, the method comprising:
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pacing a heart of the patient so as to cause an atrial contraction against a closed heart valve; causing increased atrial wall stress by the atrial contraction; causing release of a natriuretic hormone by the increased atrial wall stress; and reducing the patient'"'"'s blood pressure from a pretreatment blood pressure by the released natriuretic hormone.
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6. A device for controlling heart rate by pacing a heart of a patient having an atrium and a ventricle, the device comprising:
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at least one electrically conductive lead configured to connect to the heart of the patient; an electrical pulse generator connectable to the at least one electrically conductive lead and configured to; pace, after a first ventricular contraction of the heart, the atrium of the heart, wherein the atrial pace occurs after expiration of an atrial refractory period of the heart and during a ventricular refractory period of the heart, and cause an atrial contraction as a result of the atrial pace, wherein the atrial contraction does not elicit a second ventricular contraction. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification