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Rate-responsive pacing method and system employing minimum blood oxygen saturation as a control parameter and as a physical activity indicator

  • US 5,076,271 A
  • Filed: 07/19/1990
  • Issued: 12/31/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of automatically controlling the rate at which a rate-responsive pacemaker delivers pacing pulses to a patient'"'"'s heart, said method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) measuring the oxygen content of blood returning to the right atrium of the patient'"'"'s heart as the blood enters the right atrium before the blood has an opportunity to become thoroughly mixed;

    (b) determining the minimum value of blood oxygen content measured in step (a) during a prescribed time period, said prescribed time period including at least a portion of a plurality of consecutive cardiac cycles; and

    (c) using the minimum value blood oxygen content determined in step (b) as a direct indicator of the blood oxygen content of the blood returning from body tissue of the patient, undergoing the highest oxygen demand, and hence as an indicator of the need to adjust the pacing rate of said rate-responsive packmaker.

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