Switch control for external pacing system

• US 6,141,589 A
• Filed: 08/23/1999
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Duke University
• Original Assignee: Duke University
• Inventors: Duhaylongsod, Francis G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Carl H.
• Application Number:
  US09/382,705
• Time in Patent Office: 435 Days
• Field of Search: 607/10, 607/5, 607/4
• US Class Current: 607/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/00 Medicinal preparations containing organic active ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/135 having aromatic rings , e.g. ketamine, nortriptyline methadone A61K31/137
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/22 of acyclic acids, e.g. pravastatin
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/27 of carbamic or thiocarbamic acids, meprobamate, carbachol, neostigmine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/445 Non condensed piperidines, e.g. piperocaine
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 45/06 Mixtures of active ingredients without chemical characterisation, e.g. antiphlogistics and cardiaca
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/125 Heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/04 Inotropic agents, i.e. stimulants of cardiac contraction; Drugs for heart failure

Abstract

Methods are provided for conducting surgical procedures in a patient wherein, during the surgical procedure, autonomous ventricular electrical conductivity and escape beats are reversibly and transiently suppressed to facilitate the surgical procedure. Also provided are compositions which are capable of inducing ventricular asystole in a patient. The compositions may include an AV node blocker. In one embodiment, compositions including an atrioventricular (AV) node blocker and a β-blocker are provided, wherein the β-blocker is present in an amount sufficient to substantially reduce the amount of AV node blocker required to induce ventricular asystole in the patient. The compositions and methods may be used for inducing temporary ventricular asystole in a beating heart, and to facilitate the performance of a variety of surgical techniques, including minimally invasive microsurgical techniques. Methods for performing a surgical procedure on a human patient are provided wherein a composition capable of inducing transient reversible ventricular asystole is administered to the heart, for example by intracoronary injection. The heart then is electrically paced using an electrical pacing system, thereby to maintain the patient'"'"'s blood circulation. The electrical pacing then is selectively intermittently stopped to allow ventricular asystole to occur, and the steps of the surgical or therapeutic procedure, such as suturing, are conducted during the time that the electrical pacing is intermittently stopped. The methods and compositions advantageously may be used in a range of different surgical procedures including cardiac, vascular and neurosurgical procedures.

Claims

1. A pacing system comprising:

an extracorporeal pacer for delivering pacing signals to a human heart;

a switch coupled to said pacer; and

an actuator arranged remote from said pacer and coupled to said switch, wherein said actuator comprises a foot pedal.

2. A pacing system comprising:

an extracorporeal pacer for delivering pacing signals to a human heart;

a switch coupled to said pacer; and

an actuator arranged remote from said pacer and coupled to said switch, wherein said actuator comprises a needle holder.

3. A pacing system comprising:

an extracorporeal pacer for delivering pacing signals to a human heart;

a switch coupled to said pacer; and

an actuator arranged remote from said pacer and coupled to said switch, wherein the actuator is arranged remote from the switch.