Method and apparatus for predicting recurring ventricular arrhythmias
First Claim
1. A method for predicting a recurring arrhythmia comprising:
- detecting an arrhythmia episode;
measuring a number of parameters based on said arrhythmia episode indicative of autonomic tone;
determining whether the episode is a recurring episode;
determining changes in the parameters prior to onset of the episode and subsequent to termination of the episode;
calculating a recurrence score in response to the determined changes; and
predicting an arrhythmia event with high probabilistic certainty based on said recurrence score.
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Abstract
An implantable medical device and method are provided for assessing autonomic tone and risk factors associated with arrhythmias and, based on this assessment, an early recurrence of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation is predicted. Specifically, changes in R—R interval, heart rate variability, patient activity, and myocardial ischemia are measured prior to and after a detected an arrhythmia episode. A recurrence score is calculated as a weighted sum of measured parameters and compared to a prediction criterion. The prediction criterion may be a preset threshold score or an individualized episode template based on previously calculated recurrence scores associated with recurring episodes. Stored parameters and episode-related data may be downloaded for offline analyses for optimizing prediction criteria and monitoring patient status.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for predicting a recurring arrhythmia comprising:
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detecting an arrhythmia episode;
measuring a number of parameters based on said arrhythmia episode indicative of autonomic tone;
determining whether the episode is a recurring episode;
determining changes in the parameters prior to onset of the episode and subsequent to termination of the episode;
calculating a recurrence score in response to the determined changes; and
predicting an arrhythmia event with high probabilistic certainty based on said recurrence score. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A medical device for predicting a recurring arrhythmia in a patient, comprising:
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a first sensor sensing cardiac signals;
a second sensor sensing activity of the patient; and
a microprocessor connected to the sensors determining whether an arrhythmia episode has occurred and whether the arrhythmia episode is a recurring episode, and determining parameters based on the arrhythmia episode indicative of autonomic tone, wherein the microprocessor determines changes In the parameters prior to onset of the episode and subsequent to termination of the episode, calculates a recurrence score in response to the determined changes, and predicts an arrhythmia event in response to the recurrence score. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification