Abstract: Systems and methods for determining whether there is a correlation between arrhythmias and myocardial ischemic episodes are provided. An implantable system (e.g., a monitor, pacemaker or ICD) is used to monitor for arrhythmias and to monitor for myocardial ischemic episodes. When such events are detected by the implantable system, the implantable system stores (e.g., in its memory) data indicative of the detected arrhythmias and data indicative of the detected myocardial ischemic episodes. Then, for each detected arrhythmia, a determination is made based on the data, whether there was a myocardial ischemic episode detected within a specified temporal proximity of (e.g., within a specified amount of time of) the arrhythmia. Where a myocardial ischemic episode occurred within the specified temporal proximity of an arrhythmia, data for the two events can be linked.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for discriminating heart arrhythmias. The methods and systems include identifying an arrhythmia, recording a predetermined number of beats during the arrhythmia as a base arrhythmia (BA) beats; delivering anti-tachy pacing (ATP) therapy to at least one chamber of the heart. After delivering the ATP therapy, the methods and system record at least one return beat representing cardiac activity following the ATP therapy, determines whether the return beat originated in a reference chamber of the heart, compares a morphology of the return beat to a morphology of the BA beat; and declares a VT or SVT based on the comparing operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for discriminating heart arrhythmias. The methods and systems include identifying an arrhythmia, recording a predetermined number of beats during the arrhythmia as a base arrhythmia (BA) beats; delivering anti-tachy pacing (ATP) therapy to at least one chamber of the heart. After delivering the ATP therapy, the methods and system record at least one return beat representing cardiac activity following the ATP therapy, determines whether the return beat originated in a reference chamber of the heart, compares a morphology of the return beat to a morphology of the BA beat; and declares a VT or SVT based on the comparing operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for use by implantable medical devices equipped to deliver multi-site left ventricular (MSLV) pacing. MSLV is associated with a relatively long post-ventricular atrial blanking (PVAB) period that might limit the detection of pathologic rapid organized atrial tachycardias (OAT). In one example, MSLV cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacing is delivered within a tracking mode. A possible atrial tachycardia is detected based on the atrial rate exceeding an atrial tachycardia assessment rate (ATAR) threshold. The device then switches to single-site LV pacing, thereby effectively shortening the PVAB to detect additional atrial events that might otherwise be obscured, and thereby permitting the device to more reliably distinguish organized atrial tachycardias (such as atrial flutter) from sinus tachycardia.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining whether there is a correlation between arrhythmias and myocardial ischemic episodes are provided. An implantable system (e.g., a monitor, pacemaker or ICD) is used to monitor for arrhythmias and to monitor for myocardial ischemic episodes. When such events are detected by the implantable system, the implantable system stores (e.g., in its memory) data indicative of the detected arrhythmias and data indicative of the detected myocardial, ischemic episodes. Then, for each detected arrhythmia, a determination is made based on the data, whether there was a myocardial ischemic episode detected within a specified temporal proximity of (e.g., within a specified amount of time of) the arrhythmia. Where a myocardial ischemic episode occurred within the specified temporal proximity of an arrhythmia, data for the two events can be linked.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for use by implantable medical devices equipped to deliver multi-site left ventricular (MSLV) pacing. Sequential MSLV is associated with a relatively long post-ventricular atrial blanking (PVAB) period that might limit the detection of pathologic rapid organized atrial tachycardias (OAT). In one example, sequential MSLV cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacing is delivered within a tracking mode. A possible atrial tachycardia is detected based on the atrial rate exceeding an atrial tachycardia assessment rate (ATAR) threshold. The device then switches to either single-site LV pacing or simultaneous MSLV pacing, thereby effectively shortening the PVAB to detect additional atrial events that might otherwise be obscured, and thereby permitting the device to more reliably distinguish OATs (such as atrial flutter) from sinus tachycardia.

Abstract: Post-exercise arrhythmias are detected by an implantable medical device. In some aspects, post-exercise arrhythmia may be prognostic of a worsening cardiovascular condition. Thus, the detection of post-exercise arrhythmia may be used as an indicator for adjusting the therapy prescribed for a patient. In some aspects post-exercise arrhythmia are detected if a patient is exercising at a level that equals or exceeds a threshold exercise level. In some aspects, therapy for a patient is modified if the detected post-exercise arrhythmia exceeds a threshold arrhythmia level. In some aspects therapy for a patient is modified if ischemia is detected in conjunction with post-exercise arrhythmia.

Abstract: Techniques are described for generating diagnostic information to aid in determining whether cardiac ischemia within a patient is clinically actionable. In one example, a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD) detects information pertaining to arrhythmia precursors and to episodes of sustained arrhythmias, as well as information pertaining to episodes of cardiac ischemia. The implanted device then correlates the arrhythmia precursors and the sustained arrhythmias with the episodes of cardiac ischemia so as to generate diagnostics permitting a physician reviewing the diagnostics to determine whether the ischemia is clinically actionable. In some implementations, the diagnostics are instead generated by an external system based on raw data provided by the implanted device. In some implementations, the device itself determines whether the ischemia is clinically actionable and automatically controls therapy or generates warning signals accordingly.

Abstract: When a medical procedure is performed on a patient in whom an implantable medical device is implanted, the medical procedure may have undesired effects on the medical device, such as triggering a response that initiates therapy by the device that is unnecessary and potentially dangerous to the patient. Systems and methods may facilitate performing of such medical procedures on such patients by temporarily reprogramming the medical device, monitoring for one or more detectable characteristics associated with the medical procedure to be performed, and restoring normal programming of the device based on detection and/or lack of detection of the detectable characteristic(s).

Abstract: An exemplary device includes a processor, one or more communication interfaces, memory and one or more modules stored in the memory that comprise processor executable instructions to receive data from an implantable device via at least one of the one or more communication interfaces, to interrogate the data for one or more particular types of data, to process one or more particular types of data and to transmit information via at least one of the one or more communication interfaces. Various other exemplary devices, methods, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for use by implantable medical devices equipped to deliver multi-site left ventricular (MSLV) pacing. Sequential MSLV is associated with a relatively long post-ventricular atrial blanking (PVAB) period that might limit the detection of pathologic rapid organized atrial tachycardias (OAT). In one example, sequential MSLV cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacing is delivered within a tracking mode. A possible atrial tachycardia is detected based on the atrial rate exceeding an atrial tachycardia assessment rate (ATAR) threshold. The device then switches to either single-site LV pacing or simultaneous MSLV pacing, thereby effectively shortening the PVAB to detect additional atrial events that might otherwise be obscured, and thereby permitting the device to more reliably distinguish OATs (such as atrial flutter) from sinus tachycardia.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for use by implantable medical devices equipped to deliver multi-site left ventricular (MSLV) pacing. MSLV is associated with a relatively long post-ventricular atrial blanking (PVAB) period that might limit the detection of pathologic rapid organized atrial tachycardias (OAT). In one example, MSLV cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) pacing is delivered within a tracking mode. A possible atrial tachycardia is detected based on the atrial rate exceeding an atrial tachycardia assessment rate (ATAR) threshold. The device then switches to single-site LV pacing, thereby effectively shortening the PVAB to detect additional atrial events that might otherwise be obscured, and thereby permitting the device to more reliably distinguish organized atrial tachycardias (such as atrial flutter) from sinus tachycardia.

Abstract: Exemplary external medical devices are configurable to communicate with an implantable medical device (IMD). One medical device includes multiple IMD telemetry ports operable to connect IMD telemetry mechanisms to the medical device. The medical device also includes a control unit configured to control the IMD telemetry mechanisms.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for use with a pacemaker or other implantable medical device capable of sensing electrical signals along a set of programmable sensing vectors. In one example, electrical cardiac signals are sensed within a patient using a primary sensing vector connected to a primary sensing channel for use in controlling the delivery of therapy. If the device detects a significant drop in key signal parameters such as peak signal amplitude or slew rate, an assessment is made whether an alternate sensing vector provides improved cardiac signal sensing. During the assessment, the device can continue to sense signals along the primary channel for the purposes of controlling therapy while alternate vectors are assessed in the background. If it is determined that an alternate sensing vector provides improved cardiac signal sensing, the primary sensing channel can be switched to the alternate sensing vector for use in controlling further therapy.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are for use with implantable cardiac devices that have discriminator parameters that the devices use to discriminate between ventricular tachycardia (VT) and supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT). A user is allowed to select a balance setting that specifies a balance between sensitivity and specificity, where an increase in sensitivity results in a decrease in specificity, and vice versa. In response to the user selecting the balance setting, a value of at least one of the discriminator parameters and/or how at least one of the discriminator parameters is used is automatically adjusted. The more the balance setting favors sensitivity, then the more likely an actual VT will be characterized as VT, but the more likely an actual SVT may be characterized as VT. The more the balance setting favors specificity, then the less likely an actual SVT will characterized as VT, but the less likely an actual VT may be characterizes as VT.

Abstract: Post-exercise arrhythmias are detected by an implantable medical device. In some aspects, post-exercise arrhythmia may be prognostic of a worsening cardiovascular condition. Thus, the detection of post-exercise arrhythmia may be used as an indicator for adjusting the therapy prescribed for a patient. In some aspects post-exercise arrhythmia are detected if a patient is exercising at a level that equals or exceeds a threshold exercise level. In some aspects, therapy for a patient is modified if the detected post-exercise arrhythmia exceeds a threshold arrhythmia level. In some aspects therapy for a patient is modified if ischemia is detected in conjunction with post-exercise arrhythmia.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining whether there is a correlation between arrhythmias and myocardial ischemic episodes are provided. An implantable system (e.g., a monitor, pacemaker or ICD) is used to monitor for arrhythmias and to monitor for myocardial ischemic episodes. When such events are detected by the implantable system, the implantable system stores (e.g., in its memory) data indicative of the detected arrhythmias and data indicative of the detected myocardial, ischemic episodes. Then, for each detected arrhythmia, a determination is made based on the data, whether there was a myocardial ischemic episode detected within a specified temporal proximity of (e.g., within a specified amount of time of) the arrhythmia. Where a myocardial ischemic episode occurred within the specified temporal proximity of an arrhythmia, data for the two events can be linked.

Abstract: When a medical procedure is performed on a patient in whom an implantable medical device is implanted, the medical procedure may have undesired effects on the medical device, such as triggering a response that initiates therapy by the device that is unnecessary and potentially dangerous to the patient. Systems and methods may facilitate performing of such medical procedures on such patients by temporarily reprogramming the medical device, monitoring for one or more detectable characteristics associated with the medical procedure to be performed, and restoring normal programming of the device based on detection and/or lack of detection of the detectable characteristic(s).

Abstract: Exemplary medical devices and systems for providing remote support relating to implantable medical devices (IMDS) are described. One method generates a graphical user-interface (GUI) relating to an IMD on a local medical device configured to interrogate the IMD. The method also recreates the GUI on a remote medical device effective that a cursor of the GUI can be manipulated from both the local medical device and the remote medical device while selection of IMD parameter values is available only at the local medical device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining whether there is a correlation between arrhythmias and myocardial ischemic episodes are provided. An implantable system (e.g., a monitor, pacemaker or ICD) is used to monitor for arrhythmias and to monitor for myocardial ischemic episodes. When such events are detected by the implantable system, the implantable system stores (e.g., in its memory) data indicative of the detected arrhythmias and data indicative of the detected myocardial ischemic episodes. Then, for each detected arrhythmia, a determination is made based on the data, whether there was a myocardial ischemic episode detected within a specified temporal proximity of (e.g., within a specified amount of time of) the arrhythmia. Where a myocardial ischemic episode occurred within the specified temporal proximity of an arrhythmia, data for the two events can be linked.