Abstract: A method for monitoring blood pressure includes sensing and storing sympathetic nerve activity data of a patient via a recording lead of an implantable medical device. Changes in sympathetic nerve activity from the nerve activity data are determined. Corresponding changes in blood pressure are determined from the changes in sympathetic nerve activity. An alert signal and/or modification of therapy can be provided.

Abstract: A method for monitoring blood pressure includes sensing and storing sympathetic nerve activity data of a patient via a recording lead of an implantable medical device. Changes in sympathetic nerve activity from the nerve activity data are determined. Corresponding changes in blood pressure are determined from the changes in sympathetic nerve activity. An alert signal and/or modification of therapy can be provided.

Abstract: An implantable medical device and associated method provide atrial pacing and measure an atrial ventricular (AV) delay. An autonomic function index is computed using the AV delay. The autonomic function index may be compiled in a medical report. In some embodiments, the autonomic function index is used to adjust atrial pacing control parameters.

Abstract: Techniques for adjusting pacing therapy based on ventriculo-atrial delay are described herein. These techniques may be used to control ventricular filling times during the delivery of pacing therapy. In some examples, a device or system delivers pre-excitation fusion pacing therapy to a ventricular chamber, determines a ventriculo-atrial delay interval for the ventricular chamber for at least one cardiac cycle, and adjusts the pacing therapy delivered by the implantable medical device to compensate for decreased ventricular filling time when the ventriculo-atrial delay interval is less than a threshold. In some examples, the device or system may adjust the pacing therapy by decreasing a pacing rate of the implantable medical device, increasing a pre-excitation interval for pacing of the ventricular chamber, and/or switching from a fusion pacing mode to a biventricular pacing mode.

Abstract: Techniques for determining when to deliver a pre-excitation signal to damaged cardiac tissue, e.g., infarct tissue, of a ventricle during cardiac pacing are described. A medical device detects an intrinsic or paced atrial depolarization, and then detects a subsequent mechanical event, e.g., contraction, in a ventricle. As examples, the mechanical event may be detected by measuring ventricular movement, or changes in intracardiac or systemic blood pressure. The medical device determines an interval between the atrial depolarization and the ventricular mechanical event, which may be referred to as an A-Vm interval. By subtracting a pre-excitation interval (PEI) from the A-Vm, the medical device determines an A-V interval between an atrial depolarization and delivery of the pre-excitation signal.

Abstract: A method and system for use in selecting a cardiac pacing site includes sensors for tracking wall motion (e.g., sensors coupled to the right and left ventricular heart wall). The wall motion of one or more non-paced cardiac cycles is compared to the wall motion of one or more paced cardiac cycles to determine the effectiveness of one or more pacing sites. For example, image data may be generated to notify the user as to the effectiveness of the one or more pacing sites.

Abstract: An implantable medical device and associated method provide atrial pacing and measure an atrial ventricular (AV) delay. An autonomic function index is computed using the AV delay. The autonomic function index may be compiled in a medical report. In some embodiments, the autonomic function index is used to adjust atrial pacing control parameters.

Abstract: A method for monitoring blood pressure includes sensing and storing sympathetic nerve activity data of a patient via a recording lead of an implantable medical device. Changes in sympathetic nerve activity from the nerve activity data are determined. Corresponding changes in blood pressure are determined from the changes in sympathetic nerve activity. An alert signal and/or modification of therapy can be provided.

Abstract: Techniques for adjusting pacing therapy based on ventriculo-atrial delay are described herein. These techniques may be used to control ventricular filling times during the delivery of pacing therapy. In some examples, a device or system delivers pre-excitation fusion pacing therapy to a ventricular chamber, determines a ventriculo-atrial delay interval for the ventricular chamber for at least one cardiac cycle, and adjusts the pacing therapy delivered by the implantable medical device to compensate for decreased ventricular filling time when the ventriculo-atrial delay interval is less than a threshold. In some examples, the device or system may adjust the pacing therapy by decreasing a pacing rate of the implantable medical device, increasing a pre-excitation interval for pacing of the ventricular chamber, and/or switching from a fusion pacing mode to a biventricular pacing mode.

Abstract: Techniques for determining when to deliver a pre-excitation signal to damaged cardiac tissue, e.g., infarct tissue, of a ventricle during cardiac pacing are described. A medical device detects an intrinsic or paced atrial depolarization, and then detects a subsequent mechanical event, e.g., contraction, in a ventricle. As examples, the mechanical event may be detected by measuring ventricular movement, or changes in intracardiac or systemic blood pressure. The medical device determines an interval between the atrial depolarization and the ventricular mechanical event, which may be referred to as an A-Vm interval. By subtracting a pre-excitation interval (PEI) from the A-Vm, the medical device determines an A-V interval between an atrial depolarization and delivery of the pre-excitation signal.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) identifies lead performance issues and provides alternative lead configurations to continue with the programmed therapy. In the absence of an appropriate alternatively lead configuration, the IMD determines alternative mechanisms to provide a similar therapy or to determine a secondary therapy.

Abstract: A method and system for use in selecting a cardiac pacing site includes sensors for tracking wall motion (e.g., sensors coupled to the right and left ventricular heart wall). The wall motion of one or more non-paced cardiac cycles is compared to the wall motion of one or more paced cardiac cycles to determine the effectiveness of one or more pacing sites. For example, image data may be generated to notify the user as to the effectiveness of the one or more pacing sites.

Abstract: A method for selecting a cardiac pacing site includes steps of: securing first and second electromagnetic receiver coils at first and second positions, respectively, along a heart wall; collecting a set of non-paced heart wall motion data from each of the coils secured at the corresponding positions; applying cardiac pacing stimulation at at least one first pacing site; collecting a first set of paced heart wall motion data from each of the secured coils; comparing the non-paced heart wall motion data to the first set of paced heart wall motion data; and determining, based on the comparing, whether to maintain pacing at the at least one first cardiac pacing site or to apply pacing stimulation at a second pacing site for collection of a second set of paced heart wall motion data. The at least one first pacing site may include a right ventricular site and a left ventricular site.