Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for inserting electrical leads within a heart. A method is provided for positioning a medical electrical lead in a cardiac vein. The method comprises inserting a lead within a coronary sinus, dispersing at least one vasodilating agent to dilate at least one cardiac vein, and inserting the lead into a dilated cardiac vein.

Abstract: A pacing method and apparatus includes providing an AV interval initiated by occurrence of either an atrial paced or sensed event. A ventricular safety pacing window is defined. In one embodiment, ventricular events are sensed at only one ventricular side and if a ventricular event is sensed during the ventricular safety pacing window, then a commitment is made to delivery of ventricular stimulus only to the one ventricular side of the patient's heart where the ventricular event is sensed. Further, in another embodiment, sensing of ventricular events may occur at both ventricular sides during the ventricular safety pacing window. If a ventricular event is sensed during the ventricular safety pacing window at a first ventricular side, then commitment is made to delivery of ventricular stimulus to at least the first ventricular side.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for inserting electrical leads within a heart. In one aspect of the present invention, a method for positioning a medical electrical lead in a cardiac vein is disclosed. The method comprises inserting a lead within a coronary sinus, dispersing at least one vasodilating agent to dilate at least one cardiac vein, and inserting the lead into a dilated cardiac vein.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for inserting electrical leads within a heart. In one aspect of the present invention, a method for positioning a medical electrical lead in a cardiac vein is disclosed. The method comprises inserting a lead within a coronary sinus, dispersing at least one vasodilating agent to dilate at least one cardiac vein, and inserting the lead into a dilated cardiac vein.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for inserting electrical leads within a heart. In one aspect of the present invention, a method for positioning a medical electrical lead in a cardiac vein is disclosed. The method comprises inserting a lead within a coronary sinus, dispersing at least one vasodilating agent to dilate at least one cardiac vein, and inserting the lead into a dilated cardiac vein.

Abstract: A pacing method and apparatus includes providing an AV interval initiated by occurrence of either an atrial paced or sensed event. A ventricular safety pacing window is defined. In one embodiment, ventricular events are sensed at only one ventricular side and if a ventricular event is sensed during the ventricular safety pacing window, then a commitment is made to delivery of ventricular stimulus only to the one ventricular side of the patient's heart where the ventricular event is sensed. Further, in another embodiment, sensing of ventricular events may occur at both ventricular sides during the ventricular safety pacing window. If a ventricular event is sensed during the ventricular safety pacing window at a first ventricular side, then commitment is made to delivery of ventricular stimulus to at least the first ventricular side.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for inserting electrical leads within a heart. In one aspect of the present invention, a method for positioning a medical electrical lead in a cardiac vein is disclosed. The method comprises inserting a lead within a coronary sinus, dispersing at least one vasodilating agent to dilate at least one cardiac vein, and inserting the lead into a dilated cardiac vein.

Abstract: A temporary cardiac electrical stimulating lead is disclosed where the lead body thereof may be removed from inside a patient through the application of a simple pulling force exerted on its proximal end. An electrode mounting pad is located at the distal end of the lead and has a stimulating electrode mounted thereon or therein. A distal end of the electrical conductor may serve as the stimulating electrode. The electrode mounting pad is preferably capable of biodegradably dissolving or otherwise dissociating over time in human body fluids. Thus, the lead body may be detached from the electrode mounting pad through the application of a simple pulling force and removed from the patient while the electrode mounting pad remains within the patient and dissolves or otherwise dissociates over time.

Abstract: A system and method for more reliably detecting and treating arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation and tachycardia are provided. The system reacts to the detection of VF/VT by first looking for one or more sensed R waves to confirm arrhythmia. If the arrhythmia is confirmed, an appropriate shock is delivered directly. However, if the arrhythmia is not confirmed following a timed out confirmation duration, a pace pulse is delivered, following which the system looks to see if the pace pulse has resulted in capture of the patient's ventricle. Capture is determined by a examining sensed far field signals that correlate with the delivered pace pulse. In a preferred embodiment, the far field signals are sensed between a ventricular fibrillation coil and a second electrode, the second electrode suitably being either an SCV electrode or the surface of the implanted defibrillator unit. If capture is determined, delivery of a shock is aborted, and the patient may be further treated with pacing therapy.