Method and apparatus for classifying and treating cardiac arrhythmias based on atrial and ventricular activity

• US 5,107,850 A
• Filed: 11/02/1990
• Issued: 04/28/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Olive, Arthur L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Application Number:
  US07/608,532
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 128/419 D, 128/419 PG, 128/705
• US Class Current: 600/518
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3622 comprising two or more electrodes co-operating with different heart regions
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3956 Implantable devices for applying electric shocks to the heart, e.g. for cardioversion

Abstract

A method for classifying cardiac arrhythmias by examining the atrial and ventricular activity of the heart. The atrial contraction rate and ventricular contraction rate are compared with each other when the ventricular rate exceeds a preset value. When the atrial rate exceeds the ventricular rate, the regularity of the atrial rate, ventricular rate, and time interval between atrial contraction and ventricular contraction are determined. Regularity is determined by computing the standard deviation of a variable and comparing the standard deviation with a predetermined fractional value of the variable. A therapy routine is provided depending on the classification of a detected arrhythmia and the level of the ventricular contraction rate.

Claims

1. A method for classifying cardiac arrhythmias comprising the steps of:

sensing the electrical activity of an atrium and a ventricle of the heart;

determining the ventricular rate of contraction and the atrial rate of contraction;

comparing the ventricular rate with a preset threshold value;

comparing the ventricular rate with the atrial rate if the ventricular rate exceeds said preset threshold value; and

classifying the rhythm of the heart as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia if the ventricular rate is greater than the atrial rate.

2. The method of claim 1, and further comprising the steps of:

computing the time interval between atrial contraction and ventricular contraction (AV);

comparing said AV time interval with a predetermined time interval value if said atrial rate is equal to said ventricular rate; and

classifying the rhythm of the heart as a junctional tachycardia if said ventricular and atrial rates are equal and said AV time interval is less than or equal to said predetermined time interval value.

3. The method of claim 2, and further comprising the steps of:

determining whether said AV time interval is regular if said AV time interval is greater than said predetermined time interval value;

comparing the ventricular rate with a predetermined crossover rate value if said AV time interval is regular; and

classifying the rhythm of the heart as a ventricular tachycardia if said ventricular rate is greater than or equal to said predetermined crossover rate value.

4. The method of claim 3, and further comprising the steps of:

determining the time interval (SAV) between sinus atrial contraction and ventricular contraction to distinguish ventricular tachycardia from another condition;

comparing said AV time interval with said SAV time interval; and

classifying the rhythm of the heart as ventricular tachycardia if said AV time interval is greater than or equal to said SAV time interval and otherwise classifying the rhythm of the heart as said another condition.

5. The method of claim 4, and further comprising the steps of:

providing a lower rate limit of a first rate zone and a lower rate limit of a second rate zone, said lower limit of said second rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone;

providing a lower rate limit of a third rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said third rate zone if said AV time interval is greater than or equal to said SAV time interval; and

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said second rate zone if said ventricular rate is less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone.

6. The method of claim 3, and further comprising the step of computing the standard deviation of said AV time interval, and wherein said step of determining whether said AV time interval is regular comprises the steps of:

computing a predetermined fraction of said AV time interval;

comparing said standard deviation of said AV time interval with said predetermined fraction; and

declaring said AV time interval to be regular if said standard deviation of said AV time interval is less than said predetermined fraction, and otherwise declaring said AV time interval to be irregular.

7. The method of claim 3, and further comprising the steps of:

providing a lower rate limit of a first rate zone and a lower rate limit of a second rate zone, said lower rate limit of said second rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said first rate zone;

providing a lower rate limit of a third rate zone that is greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said third rate zone if said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said ventricular crossover rate to determine if the rhythm of the heart is ventricular fibrillation; and

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said second rate zone if said ventricular rate is less than said lower rae limit of said third rate zone to determine if the heart is in a fast rhythm or an arrhythmia requiring a cardioverting shock.

8. The method of claim 2, and further comprising the steps of:

determining whether said atrial rate is regular if the ventricular rate is less than said atrial rate;

determining whether said ventricular rate is regular if said atrial rate is determined to be regular;

said steps of determining whether the atrial rate is regular and determining whether the ventricular rate is regular for establishing if the heart rhythm is sinus tachycardia or an atrial arrhythmia;

further determining whether said AV time interval is regular if said ventricular rate is determined to be regular; and

classifying the rhythm of the heart as an atrial arrhythmia if said step of further determining determines that said AV time interval is regular.

9. The method of claim 8, and further comprising the steps of:

further determining whether said AV time interval is regular if either one of said ventricular or atrial rates is determined to be irregular to distinguish sinus tachycardia from atrial arrhythmia as the rhythm of the heart; and

classifying the rhythm of the heart as an atrial arrhythmia with conduction problems if said step of further determining determines that said AV time interval is regular and otherwise classifying the rhythm of the heart as an atrial arrhythmia coincident with ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.

10. The method of claim 9, and further comprising the step of computing the standard deviation of said AV time interval, and wherein said step of further determining whether said AV time interval is regular further comprises the steps of:

computing a predetermined fraction of said AV time interval;

comparing said standard deviation of said AV time interval with said predetermined fraction; and

declaring said AV time interval to be regular if said standard deviation of said AV time interval is less than said predetermined fraction, and otherwise declaring said AV time interval to be irregular.

11. The method of claim 9, and further comprising the steps of:

providing a lower rate limit of a first rate zone and a lower rate limit of a second rate zone, said lower rate limit of said second rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said first rate zone;

providing a lower rate limit of a third rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said third rate zone if said step of further determining determines that said AV interval is irregular; and

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said second rate zone if said ventricular rate is less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone.

12. The method of claim 8, and further comprising the step of computing the standard deviation of said atrial contraction rate and said ventricular contraction rate, and wherein said step of determining whether said atrial rate is regular comprises the steps of:

comparing said standard deviation of said atrial contraction rate with a predetermined fraction of said atrial rate; and

declaring said atrial rate to be regular if said standard deviation of said atrial rate is less than said predetermined fraction of said atrial rate, and otherwise declaring said atrial contraction rate to be irregular; and

wherein said step of determining whether said ventricular rate is regular comprises the steps of;

comparing said standard deviation of said ventricular contraction rate with a predetermined fraction of said ventricular contraction rate; and

declaring said atrial rate to be regular if said standard deviation of said ventricular contraction rate is less than said predetermined fraction of said ventricular contraction rate, and otherwise declaring said ventricular contraction rate to be irregular.

13. The method of claim 8, and further comprising the step of computing the standard deviation of said AV time interval, and wherein said step of determining whether said AV time interval is regular further comprises the steps of:

computing a predetermined fraction of AV said time interval;

comparing said standard deviation of said AV time interval; and

declaring said AV time interval to be regular if said standard deviation of said AV time interval is less than said predetermined fraction, and otherwise declaring said AV time interval to be irregular.

14. The method of claim 8, and further comprising the steps of:

providing a lower rate limit of a first rate zone and a lower rate limit of a second rate zone, said lower rate limit of said second rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said first rate zone;

providing a lower rate limit of a third rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said third rate zone if said AV time interval is determined to be irregular to determine if the rhythm of the heart is ventircular fibrillation; and

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said second rate zone if said ventricular rate is less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone to determine if the heart is in a fast rhythm or an arrhythmia requiring a cardioverting shock.

15. The method of claim 2, and further comprising the steps of:

providing a lower rate limit of a first rate zone and a lower rate limit of a second rate zone, said lower rate limit of said second rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said first rate zone;

providing a lower rate limit of a third rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said third rate zone if said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said atrial contraction rate to determine if the rhythm of the heart is ventricular fibrillation; and

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said second rate zone if said ventricular rate is less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone to determine if the heart is in a fast rhythm or an arrhythmia requiring a cardioverting shock.

16. A method for classifying cardiac arrhythmias and delivering therapy to the heart comprising the steps of:

sensing the electrical activity of an atrium and a ventricle of the heart;

determining the ventricular rate of contraction and the atrial rate of contraction;

comparing the ventricular rate with a preset threshold value;

comparing the ventricular rate with the atrial rate if the ventricular rate exceeds said preset threshold value;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia if the ventricular rate is greater than the atrial rate;

computing the time interval between atrial contraction and ventricular contraction (AV);

comparing said AV time interval with a predetermined time interval value if said atrial rate is equal to said ventricular rate;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as a junctional tachycardia if said ventricular and atrial rates are equal and said AV time interval is less than or equal to said predetermined time interval value;

providing a lower rate limit of a first rate zone and a lower rate limit of a second rate zone, said lower rate limit of said second rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said first rate zone;

providing a lower rate limit of a third rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said third rate zone if said ventircular contraction rate is greater than said atrial contraction rate to determine if the rhythm of the heart is ventricular fibrillation;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said second rate zone if said ventricular rate is less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone to determine if the heart is in a fast rhythm or an arrhythmia requiring a cardioverting shock;

delivering defibrillation pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone;

delivering cardioverting pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone and less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone; and

delivering pacing pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is less than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone.

17. A method for classifying cardiac arrhythmias and delivering therapy to the heart comprising the steps of:

sensing the electrical activity of an atrium and a ventricle of the heart;

determining the ventricular rate of contraction and the atrial rate of contraction;

comparing the ventricular rate with a preset threshold value;

comparing the ventricular rate with the atrial rate if the ventricular rate exceeds said preset threshold value;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia if the ventricular rate is greater than the atrial rate;

computing the time interval between atrial contraction and ventricular contraction (AV);

comparing said AV time interval with a predetermined time interval value if said atrial rate is equal to said ventricular rate;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as a junctional tachycardia if said ventricular and atrial rates are equal and said AV time interval is less than or equal to said predetermined time interval value;

determining whether said AV time interval is regular if said AV time interval is greater than said predetermined time interval value;

comparing the ventricular rate with a predetermined crossover rate value if said AV time interval is regular;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as a ventricular tachycardia if said ventricular rate is greater than or equal to said predetermined crossover rate value;

providing a lower rate limit of a first rate zone and a lower rate limit of a second rate zone, said lower rate limit of said second rat zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said first rate zone;

providing a lower rate limit of a third rate zone that is greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said third rate zone f said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said ventricular crossover rate to determine if the rhythm of the heart is ventricular fibrillation;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said second rate zone if said ventricular rate is less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone to determine if the heart is in a fast rhythm or an arrhythmia requiring a cardioverting shock;

delivering defibrillation pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone;

delivering cardioverting pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone and less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone; and

delivering pacing pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is less than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone.

18. A method for classifying cardiac arrhythmias and delivering therapy to the heart comprising the steps of:

sensing the electrical activity of an atrium and a ventricle of the heart;

determining the ventricular rate of contraction and the atrial rate of contraction;

comparing the ventricular rate with a preset threshold value;

comparing the ventricular rate with the atrial rate if the ventricular rate exceeds said preset threshold value;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia if the ventricular rate is greater than the atrial rate;

computing the time interval between atrial contraction and ventricular contraction (AV);

comparing said AV time interval with a predetermined time interval value if said atrial rate is equal to said ventricular rate;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as a junctional tachycardia if said ventricular and atrial rates are equal and said AV time interval is less than or equal to said predetermined time interval value;

determining whether said AV time interval is regular if said AV time interval is greater than said predetermined time interval value;

comparing the ventricular rate with a predetermined crossover rate value if said AV time interval is regular;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as a ventricular tachycardia if said ventricular rate is greater than or equal to said predetermined crossover rate value;

providing a lower rate limit of a first rate zone and a lower rate limit of a second rate zone, said lower rate limit of said second rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said first rate zone;

providing a lower rate limit of a third rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said third rate zone if said AV time interval is greater than or equal to said SAV time interval;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said second rate zone if said ventricular rate is less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone;

delivering defibrillation pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone;

delivering cardioverting pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone and less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone; and

delivering pacing pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is less than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone.

19. A method for classifying cardiac arrhythmias and delivering therapy to the heart comprising the steps of:

sensing the electrical activity of an atrium and a ventricle of the heart;

determining the ventricular rate of contraction and the atrial rate of contraction;

comparing the ventricular rate with a preset threshold value;

comparing the ventricular rate with the atrial rate if the ventricular rate exceeds said preset threshold value;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia if the ventricular rate is greater than the atrial rate;

computing the time interval between atrial contraction and ventricular contraction (AV);

comparing said AV time interval with a predetermined time interval value if said atrial rate is equal to said ventricular rate;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as a junctional tachycardia if said ventricular and atrial rates are equal and said AV time interval is less than or equal to said predetermined time interval value;

determining whether said atrial rate is regular if the ventricular rate is less than said atrial rate;

determining whether said ventricular rate is regular if said atrial rate is determined to be regular;

said steps of determining whether the atrial rate is regular and determining whether the ventricular rate is regular for establishing if the heart rhythm is sinus tachycardia or an atrial arrhythmia;

further determining whether said AV time interval is regular if said ventricular rate is determined to be regular;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as an atrial arrhythmia if said step of further determining determines that said AV time interval is regular to confirm that the rhythm of the heart is an atrial arrhythmia;

providing a lower rate limit of a first rate zone and a lower rate limit of a second rate zone, said lower rate limit of said second rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said first rate zone;

providing a lower rate limit of a third rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said third rate zone if said AV time interval is determined to be irregular to determine if the rhythm of the heart is ventricular fibrillation;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said second rate zone if said ventricular rate is less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone to determine if the heart is in a fast rhythm or an arrhythmia requiring a cardioverting shock;

delivering defibrillation pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone;

delivering cardioverting pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone and less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone; and

delivering pacing pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is less than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone.

20. A method for classifying cardiac arrhythmias and delivering therapy to the heart comprising the steps of:

sensing the electrical activity of an atrium and a ventricle of the heart;

determining the ventricular rate of contraction and the atrial rate of contraction;

comparing the ventricular rate with a preset threshold value;

comparing the ventricular rate with the atrial rate if the ventricular rate exceeds said preset threshold value;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia if the ventricular rate is greater than the atrial rate;

computing the time interval between atrial contraction and ventricular contraction (AV);

comparing said AV time interval with a predetermined time interval value if said atrial rate is equal to said ventricular rate;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as a junctional tachycardia if said ventricular and atrial rates are equal and said AV time interval is less than or equal to said predetermined time interval value;

determining whether said atrial rate is regular if the ventricular rate is less than said atrial rate;

determining whether said ventricular rate is regular if said atrial rate is determined to be regular;

said steps of determining whether the atrial rate is regular and determining whether the ventricular rate is regular for establishing if the heart rhythm is sinus tachycardia or an atrial arrhythmia;

further determining whether said AV time interval is regular if said ventricular rate is determined to be regular;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as an atrial arrhythmia if said step of further determining determines that said AV time interval is regular to confirm that the rhythm of the heart is an atrial arrhythmia;

further determining whether said AV time interval is regular if either one of said ventricular or atrial rates is determined to be irregular to identify the rhythm of the heart as sinus tachycardia or an atrial arrhythmia;

classifying the rhythm of the heart as an atrial arrhythmia with conduction problems if said step of further determining determines that said AV time interval is regular and otherwise classifying the rhythm of the heart as an atrial arrhythmia coincident with ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation;

providing a lower rate limit of a first rate zone and a lower rate limit of a second rate zone, said lower rate limit of said second rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said first rate zone;

providing a lower rate limit of a third rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said third rate zone if said step of further determining determines that said AV interval is irregular;

comparing said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said second rate zone if said ventricular rate is less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone;

delivering defibrillation pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone;

delivering cardioverting pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone and less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone; and

delivering pacing pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is less than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone.

21. A system for classifying cardiac arrhythmias and delivering therapy to the heart comprising:

sensing means for sensing the ventricular electrical activity and atrial electrical activity of the heart;

cardiac arrhythmia classifying means for;

determining the ventricular rate of contraction and the atrial rate of contraction based on said sensed ventricular and atrial electrical activity;

comparing the ventricular rate with a preset threshold value;

comparing the ventricular rate with the atrial rate if the ventricular rate exceeds said preset threshold value; and

classifying the rhythm of the heart as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia if the ventricular rate is greater than the atrial rate; and

means for delivering therapy to the heart in the form of pacing pulses, cardioverting shocks or defibrillating shocks according to the classification of the rhythm of the heart.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said cardiac arrhythmia classifying means:

computes the time interval (AV) between atrial contraction and ventricular contraction;

compares said AV time interval with a predetermined time interval value if said atrial rate is equal to said ventricular rate;

declares that the heart is in a junctional tachycardia if said ventricular and atrial rates are equal and said AV time interval is less than or equal to said predetermined time interval value;

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said cardiac arrhythmia classifying means:

determines whether said AV time interval is regular if said AV time interval is greater than said predetermined time interval value;

compares the ventricular rate with a predetermined crossover rate value if said AV time interval is regular;

declares that the heart is in a ventricular tachycardia if said ventricular rate is greater than or equal to said predetermined crossover rate value.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said cardiac arrhythmia classifying means:

determines the time interval (SAV) between sinus atrial contraction and ventricular contraction;

compares said AV time interval with said SAV time interval;

declares that the heart is in ventricular tachycardia if said AV time interval is greater than or equal to said SAV time interval and otherwise declares that the heart is in another condition.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein said cardiac arrhythmia computes the standard deviation of said time interval between atrial contraction and ventricular contraction, and in order to determine whether said time interval between atrial contraction and ventricular contraction, said cardiac arrhythmia classifying means:

computes a predetermined fraction of said AV time interval;

compares said standard deviation of said AV time interval; and

declares said AV time interval to be regular if said standard deviation of said AV time interval is greater than or equal to said predetermined fraction, and otherwise declares said AV time interval to be irregular.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein said cardiac arrhythmia classifying means:

determines whether said atrial rate is regular if said ventricular rate is less than said atrial rate;

determines whether said ventricular rate is regular if said atrial rate is determined to be regular;

determines whether said AV time interval is regular if said ventricular rate is determined to be regular;

declares that the heart is in an atrial arrhythmia if said time interval between atrial contraction and ventricular contraction is regular.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein said cardiac arrhythmia classifying means:

further determines whether said time interval between atrial contraction and ventricular contraction is regular if either one of said ventricular or atrial rates is determined to be irregular;

declares that the heart is in an atrial arrhythmia with conduction problems if said AV time interval is regular and otherwise declaring that the heart is in an atrial arrhythmia coincident with ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein said cardiac classifying means computes the standard deviation of said atrial contraction rate and said ventricular contraction rate;

and in order to determine whether said atrial rate is regular, said cardiac arrhythmia classifying means;

compares said standard deviation of said atrial contraction rate with a predetermined fraction of said atrial rate; and

declares said atrial rate to be regular if said standard deviation of said atrial rate is less than said predetermined fraction of said atrial rate, and otherwise declares said atrial contraction rate to be irregular; and

in order to determine if said ventricular rate is regular, said cardiac arrhythmia classifying means;

compares said standard deviation of said ventricular contraction rate with a predetermined fraction of said ventricular contraction rate; and

declares said ventricular rate to be regular if said standard deviation of said ventricular contraction rate is less than said predetermined fraction of said ventricular contraction rate, and otherwise declares said ventricular contraction rate to be irregular.

29. The system of claim 22, wherein said cardiac arrhythmia classifying means:

provides a lower rate limit of a first rate zone and a lower rate limit of a second rate zone, said lower limit of said second rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone;

provides a lower rate limit of a third rate zone being greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone;

compares said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said third rate zone if said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said atrial contraction rate; and

compares said ventricular contraction rate with said lower rate limit of said second rate zone if said ventricular rate is greater than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein said means for delivering therapy to the heart comprises:

pacemaking means for generating pacing pulses for delivery to the heart;

pacing electrode means connected to said pacing means and implanted on or about the heart for applying said pacing pulses to the heart;

cardioversion/defibrillation means for generating defibrillation pulses and cardioverting pulses for delivery to the heart;

defibrillation electrode means connected to said defibrillation means and implanted on or about the heart for applying said defibrillation pulses and said cardioverting pulses through the heart; and

wherein said cardiac arrhythmia classifying means;

triggers said cardioversion/defibrillation means to delivery said defibrillation pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is greater than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone;

triggers said cardioversion/defibrillation means to deliver said cardioverting pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is less than said lower rate limit of said third rate zone and greater than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone; and

triggers said pacemaking means to deliver pacing pulses to the heart if said ventricular contraction rate is less than said lower rate limit of said second rate zone.