Methods and apparatus to stimulate heart atria
First Claim
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1. A method for pacing a heart of a patient suffering from hypertension or sodium retention, the method comprising:
- artificially pacing an atrium of the heart during a period between an end of an atrial refractory period and an end of a ventricular refractory period, wherein the artificial pacing includes delivery of excitatory stimulation to the atrium;
wherein the excitatory stimulation causes the atrium to contract while a heart valve associated with the atrium is closed such that the contraction distends the atrium, andthe distending atrium results in a therapeutic effect of a reduction in at least one of vasoconstriction and sodium retention.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for treatment of hypertension and heart failure by increasing vagal tone and secretion of endogenous atrial hormones by excitory pacing of the heart atria. Atrial pacing is done during the ventricular refractory period resulting in atrial contraction against closed AV valves, and atrial contraction rate that is higher than the ventricular contraction rate. Pacing results in the increased atrial wall stress. An implantable device is used to monitor ECG and pace the atria in a nonphysiologic manner.
54 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for pacing a heart of a patient suffering from hypertension or sodium retention, the method comprising:
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artificially pacing an atrium of the heart during a period between an end of an atrial refractory period and an end of a ventricular refractory period, wherein the artificial pacing includes delivery of excitatory stimulation to the atrium; wherein the excitatory stimulation causes the atrium to contract while a heart valve associated with the atrium is closed such that the contraction distends the atrium, and the distending atrium results in a therapeutic effect of a reduction in at least one of vasoconstriction and sodium retention. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for stressing walls of an atrium of a heart of a mammalian patient comprising:
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detecting an end of an atrial refractory period of the heart, predicting an end of a ventricular refractory period of the heart, artificially pacing the atrium of the heart during a period between the detected end of the atrial refractory period and the predicted end of the ventricular refractory period, wherein the artificial pacing causes the atrium of the heart to contract while a trio-ventricular valve of the atrium is closed such that the contraction distends the walls of the atrium, and the distention of the walls results in a therapeutic effect of a reduction in at least one of vasoconstriction and sodium retention. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification