Spectrum-driven arrhythmia treatment method

• US 7,386,343 B1
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Issued: 06/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Boileau, Peter, Kroll, Mark W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Evanisko; George Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dietrich; Joseph M
• Application Number:
  US11/240,950
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 607/4, 607/5, 607/9, 607/14
• US Class Current: 607/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3622 comprising two or more electrodes co-operating with different heart regions

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treating an arrhythmia is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) sensing at least one electrical signal from the patient'"'"'s heart; (b) calculating a frequency spectrum of each electrical signal; (c) calculating a center frequency for each frequency spectrum; and (d) selecting an electro-therapy for delivery to the patient'"'"'s heart based on the center frequency. The electro-therapy can be a pre-programmed anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy, a shock therapy, or no therapy at all. The method is performed through the use of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Also provided is a method of determining the optimal location to deliver the electro-therapy.

Claims

1. A method of choosing amongst a plurality of electro-therapies for delivery to a patient'"'"'s heart, comprising:

(a) sensing a plurality of electrical signals from a plurality of electrodes disposed at a plurality of locations with respect to the patient'"'"'s heart;

(b) calculating a frequency spectrum for each of the plurality of electrical signals;

(c) calculating a center frequency for each of the frequency spectrums;

(d) calculating a global median frequency based on the calculated center frequencies; and

(e) selecting an electro-therapy for delivery to the patient'"'"'s heart based on the global median frequency.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (e) comprises selecting an anti-tachycardia pacing therapy for delivery to the heart if the global median frequency is below approximately 6 Hz.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (e) comprises selecting a shock therapy for delivery if the global median frequency is greater than about 10 Hz.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

selecting the electrode with the maximum center frequency; and

delivering the anti-tachycardia pacing therapy through the selected electrode.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising, prior to step (a), detecting a heart rate indicative of an arrhythmia.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising, using one of the plurality of electrodes to detect the heart rate.

7. A device comprising:

a plurality of electrodes adapted to be disposed at a plurality of locations with respect to a patient'"'"'s heart;

sensors adapted to sense electrical signals from the plurality of electrodes; and

a processor programmed to;

calculate a frequency spectrum for each of the plurality of electrical signals;

calculate a center frequency for each of the frequency spectrums;

calculate a global median frequency based on the calculated center frequencies; and

select an electro-therapy for delivery to the patient'"'"'s heart based on the global median frequency.