Method and apparatus for monitoring drug effects on cardiac electrical signals using an implantable cardiac stimulation device
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- administering an antiarrhythmic drug to a patient;
receiving patient cardiac electrical signals via an implantable cardiac stimulation device implanted in the patient;
analyzing the patient cardiac electrical signals to detect the effects, if any, on the cardiac electrical signals caused by the antiarrhythmic drug; and
automatically controlling operation of the implantable cardiac stimulation device based on results of the analysis of the patient cardiac electrical signals;
wherein analyzing the patient cardiac electrical signals comprises determining the most likely class of antiarrhythmic drugs, taken by the patient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable cardiac stimulation device, such as a pacemaker or Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator, is configured to automatically monitor the effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on cardiac electrical signals within a patient to verify the efficacy of the drugs taken. In one example, an analysis of patient cardiac electrical signals is performed by comparing the cardiac electrical signals with values representative of the effects of different classes of antiarrhythmic drugs. If the implantable device determines that the prescribed antiarrhythmic drugs have not been effective, a warning signal is generated. The warning signal is conveyed directly to the patient via a bedside monitor and to the patient'"'"'s physician via remote connection to an external programmer device so that both are notified of the drug efficacy problems. Additionally, the implantable device may be configured to automatically adjust pacing and defibrillation control parameters in an attempt to compensate for any lack of efficacy in the drugs. For example, the aggressiveness of overdrive pacing may be increased. Alternatively, a drug pump is controlled to adjust the dosage of antiarrhythmic drugs if an initial dosage is found to be ineffective.
141 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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administering an antiarrhythmic drug to a patient; receiving patient cardiac electrical signals via an implantable cardiac stimulation device implanted in the patient; analyzing the patient cardiac electrical signals to detect the effects, if any, on the cardiac electrical signals caused by the antiarrhythmic drug; and automatically controlling operation of the implantable cardiac stimulation device based on results of the analysis of the patient cardiac electrical signals; wherein analyzing the patient cardiac electrical signals comprises determining the most likely class of antiarrhythmic drugs, taken by the patient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method comprising:
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administering an antiarrhythmic drug to a patient; receiving patient cardiac electrical signals via an implantable cardiac stimulation device implanted in the patient; analyzing the patient cardiac electrical signals to detect the effects, if any, on the cardiac electrical signals caused by the antiarrhythmic drug; and automatically controlling operation of the implantable cardiac stimulation device based on results of the analysis of the patient cardiac electrical signals; wherein analyzing the patient cardiac electrical signals to detect the effects, if any, on the cardiac electrical signals caused by antiarrhythmic drugs includes the step of tracking RT intervals affected by antiarrhythmic drugs; for use with patients receiving Class III antiarrhythmic drugs wherein controlling operation of the implantable cardiac stimulation device comprises generating a notification signal when RT intervals have returned to a nominal state following patient receipt of the Class III antiarrhythmic drugs.
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17. In an implantable cardiac stimulation device for implant within a patient, a system comprising:
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means for administering antiarrhythmic drugs to the patient; means for receiving patient cardiac electrical signals; means for analyzing the patient cardiac electrical signals to detect the effects, if any, on the cardiac electrical signals caused by antiarrhythmic drugs; and means for controlling operation of the implantable cardiac stimulation device based on the results of the analysis of the patient cardiac electrical signals; wherein the means for analyzing the patient cardiac electrical signals comprises determining the most likely class of antiarrhythmic drugs, taken by patient.
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18. A method comprising:
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prescribing at least one specific antiarrhythmic drug to a patient; receiving patient cardiac electrical signals via an implantable cardiac stimulation device implanted in the patient; analyzing the patient cardiac electrical signals to monitor for a particular result expected to result from the at least one specific antiarrhythmic drug; and generating a warning signal if the particular result is not detected; wherein analyzing the patient cardiac electrical signals comprises determining the most likely class of antiarrhythmic drugs, taken by the patient.
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Specification