Implantable heart stimulation system with automatic mode switching controlled by sympatho-vagal balance
First Claim
1. An implantable heart-stimulation system, comprising:
- a first sensing element configured to sense atrial signals;
a second sensing element configured to sense ventricular signals;
a pulse generator configured to generate atrial and ventricular stimulating signals; and
a control unit configured to determine for each cardiac cycle an atrial rate from the sensed atrial signals, to determine for each cardiac cycle a maximum allowable variation of the atrial rate as a function of sympatho-vagal balance, and to switch from an atrial tracking pacing mode to a non-atrial tracking pacing mode when a variation in the atrial rate between a first cardiac cycle and a second cardiac cycle exceeds the maximum allowable variation.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable dual-chamber pacemaker system has a means for automatic beat-to-beat adjustment of the maximum allowable variation (MAV) of the sensed atrial rate (AR) as a function of the sympatho-vagal balance, switching from an atrial tracking mode of operation (e.g., DDD or DDD(R)) to a non atrial tracking mode (e.g., VDI or VDI(R)) when either an arrhythmic tachycardic rate, exceeding the MAV, or a sinus tachycardic rate, exceeding the maximum tracking atrial rate (MTAR), is detected. The pacemaker provides logic means for continuously determining the atrial rate variation (ΔAR) and the MAV. The MAV defines the upper limit for the ΔAR above which tracking is not allowed, discriminating between physiological rate variations and arrhythmic variations. The pacemaker system can return to an atrial tracking mode of operation if the AR remains under a defined rate for a defined number of cycles.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. An implantable heart-stimulation system, comprising:
-
a first sensing element configured to sense atrial signals;
a second sensing element configured to sense ventricular signals;
a pulse generator configured to generate atrial and ventricular stimulating signals; and
a control unit configured to determine for each cardiac cycle an atrial rate from the sensed atrial signals, to determine for each cardiac cycle a maximum allowable variation of the atrial rate as a function of sympatho-vagal balance, and to switch from an atrial tracking pacing mode to a non-atrial tracking pacing mode when a variation in the atrial rate between a first cardiac cycle and a second cardiac cycle exceeds the maximum allowable variation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method of controlling the pacing mode of a heart stimulation system implanted in a patient, the system including first and second sensors for sensing atrial and ventricular signals, a pulse generator for generating and providing atrial and ventricular stimulation pulses to the patient'"'"'s heart and a control unit for controlling the pacing mode of the system, the method comprising:
-
determining in the control unit an atrial rate of the patient'"'"'s heart from the sensed atrial signals;
determining in the control unit a maximum allowable variation of the atrial rate for each cardiac cycle as a function of sympatho-vagal balance; and
switching from an atrial tracking pacing mode to a non-atrial tracking pacing mode when a variation in atrial rate from a first cardiac cycle to a second cardiac cycle exceeds the maximum allowable variation. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification