Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a cardiac condition in a human or animal patient comprises contacting an area of skin spanning the chest area of the patient with at least two patches or electrode paddles that apply low voltages and currents in a rotational manner to pre-stimulate that area, followed by applying a high voltage shock in rapid succession through the patient's heart through at least two electrode pad patches or paddles, wherein an amplifier-based external defibrillation cardioversion system is used. Also, an external pacing system is employed using ascending ramp or any arbitrary ascending or level waveform for transcutaneous pacing which employ a constant current delivery mode. Treatable conditions include atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial tachycardia (AT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), and ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Abstract: Cardiac defibrillation or cardioversion waveform energy control systems employ transvenous ICDs, subcutaneous SICDs, or pacemakers for treating cardiac conditions. The systems comprise differentially driven amplifier circuit operational modes to control the delivery of pacing, anti-tachycardia pacing, defibrillation, and/or cardioversion electrical shocks, wherein the pacing, anti-tachycardia pacing, and shock waveforms employ constant current, constant voltage, or constant energy. Biphasic arbitrary shock waveforms deliver increasing energy with increasing time as represented by phase 1 ascending ramp, ascending exponential, ascending chopped, ascending stepped, ascending curved, square, or rectilinear and/or any combination of geometric shaped ascending arbitrary waveforms or any BTE waveform.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating atrial fibrillation or atrial tachycardia comprises means for dynamically steering or selecting two or more current vector paths sequentially or simultaneously for defibrillation to change the transmembrane potential in the left and right atria sufficiently to halt AF or AT. The apparatus is useful to treat AF or AT in patients.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia comprises means for dynamically steering or selecting two or more current vector paths sequentially or simultaneously for defibrillation so as to change the transmembrane potential in the left and right ventricles sufficiently to halt VF or VT.