Abstract: A system for and method of treating a malfunctioning heart is based on hemodynamics, the pressure at a site in a patient's circulatory system being sensed. A signal is developed representative of short term mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean right atrial pressure (MRAP), mean right ventrical pressure (MRVP), mean left atrial pressure (MLAP), mean left ventricle pressure (MLVP), mean central venous pressure (MCVP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), mean pulmonary vein pressure (MPVP) or mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (MPCWP). A signal representative of fixed baseline pressure is provided and if the short term current mean pressure differs therefrom by a predetermined value, an indication of hemodynamic compromise, cardioversion/defibrillation is effected. In a second embodiment, the determination of whether the difference between fixed or varying the baseline pressure and mean current pressure is undertaken after a rate criteria (for example a heart rate above 155 b.p.m.) has been met.

Abstract: A system for and method of treating a malfunctioning heart is based on hemodynamics, the pressure at a site in a patient's circulatory system being sensed. A signal is developed representative of short term mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean right atrial pressure (MRAP), mean right ventricle pressure (MRVP), mean left atrial pressure (MLAP), mean left ventricle pressure (MLVP), mean central venous pressure (MCVP), mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), mean pulmonary vein pressure (MPVP), mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (MPCWP), right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), right ventricular end diastolic pressure (RVEDP), or right ventricular pulse presure (RVPP). A signal representative of fixed or varying baseline pressure is provided and if the short term current pressure differs therefrom by a predetermined value, an indication of hemodynamic compromise, cardioversion/defibrillation is effected.

Abstract: A system for and method of treating a malfunctioning heart is based on hemodynamics, the pressure at a site in a patient's circulatory system being sensed. A signal is developed representative of short term mean arterial pressure (MAP), mean right atrial pressure (MRAP), mean right ventricle pressure (MRVP), mean left atrial pressure (MLAP), mean left ventrical pressure (MLVP) or mean central venous pressure (MCVP). A signal representative of fixed baseline pressure is provided and if the short term current mean pressure differs therefrom by a predetermined value, an indication of hemodynamic compromise, cardioversion/defibrillation is effected. In a second embodiment, the determination of whether the difference between fixed baseline pressure and mean current pressure is undertaken after a rate criteria (for example a heart rate above 155 b.p.m.) has been met. In a third embodiment, the rate and pressure criteria both must exist at the same time, before cardioverting/difibrillation is initiated.

Abstract: A system for and method of treating a malfunctioning heart is based on hemodynamics, the O.sub.2 in blood at a site in a patient's circulatory system being sensed. A signal is developed representative of short term O.sub.2 level in the blood at the sites preferably at a site (right ventricle or a pulmonary artery) which carries mixed venous blood. A signal representative of a baseline O.sub.2 level (fixed or varying) is provided and if the short term current O.sub.2 level differs therefrom by a predetermined value, an indication of possible hemodynamic compromise, cardioversion/-defibrillation is effected. In a second embodiment, the determination of whether the difference between fixed or varying baseline O.sub.2 level or current O.sub.2 level is undertaken after a rate criteria (for example a heart rate above 155 b.p.m.) has been met. In a third embodiment, the rate and O.sub.2 level criteria both must exist at the same time, before cardioverting/-defibrillation is initiated.

Abstract: A system for therapeutic stimulation of a patient's heart includes means for varying the escape interval or rate of a means for producing pacing pulses. Pressure sensing means sense pressure at a site in the circulatory system of a patient. Signal producing means respond to output from the sensing means to develop a variable first signal representative of mean pressure at the site over a period of predetermined duration. Signal producing means respond to output from the sensing means for developing a second signal representing mean pressure at the site over a period of given duration less than the period of predetermined duration. Control signal producing means responsive to the first signal and to the second signal develop a control signal upon the first signal and the second signal differing by at least a predetermined amount. Control means, responsive to the control signal, control the means for varying the escape interval or rate of the means for producing pacing pulses.

Abstract: A system for and method of treating a malfunctioning heart is based on hemodynamics. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) mean right atrial pressure (MRAP), mean right ventrical pressure (MRVP), mean left atrial pressure (MLAP), mean left ventrical pressure (MLVP) or mean central venous pressure (MCVP) is sensed. The long term mean baseline pressure is monitored and if the short term current mean pressure differs therefrom by a predetermined value, an indication of hemodynamic compromise, cardioversion/defibrillation is effected. In a second embodiment, the determination of whether the difference between mean baseline and mean current pressure is undertaken after a rate criteria (for example a heart rate above 155 b.p.m. has been met. In a third embodiment, the rate and pressure criteria both must exist at the same time, before cardioverting/defibrillation is initiated. In a fourth embodiment, a microprocessor is used. The system may be integrated with antitachycardia and/or antibradycardia pacemakers.