Abstract: A cardiac electrode assembly includes an electrode lead with a plurality of electrical conductors in a common lead jacket. The electrical conductors include a primary conductor and at least a first secondary conductor. At a proximal end of the lead, the conductors terminate at a connector having a plurality of exposed electrical contacts. The contacts include a primary contact connected to the primary conductor and a secondary contact connected to the secondary conductor. A plurality of cardiac electrodes is mechanically connected to the distal end of the lead. The plurality includes a primary cardiac electrode and at least a secondary cardiac electrode (more preferably, at least two secondary cardiac electrodes) connected to one or more secondary conductors. In still preferred embodiments of the invention, multiple secondary conductors with separate leads in the common jacket are connected to the distal end of the common lead jacket.

Abstract: There is provided a pacemaker system and method for enabling special rate control for patients who have specially recognized conditions, e.g., patients who are post-ablation and thus are susceptible to bradycardia-dependent ventricular fibrillation or other arrhythmias. In a preferred embodiment, the pacemaker has a special function rate control algorithm which, for the post-ablation patient, commences pacing with a lower rate limit at a high start value of around 80-100 bpm, and decays the lower rate limit down to an end value of about 60-70 bpm over a duration of about a month. Additionally, the pacemaker is provided with one or more selectable special function rate response algorithms, for enabling higher rate response to patient exercise and demand for increase cardiac output. The combination of the gradual decay of lower rate limit over the programmable duration as well as the specially programmable rate response enables optimization of pacing so as to prevent arrhythmias.