Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the coronary sinus vein branch location of a left ventricle electrode are disclosed. The systems and methods involve detecting the occurrence of electrical events within the patient's heart including sensing one or more of the electrical events with the electrode and then analyzing the electrical events to determine the electrode's position. The determination of electrode position may be used to automatically adjust operating parameters of a VRT device. Furthermore, the determination of electrode position may be made in real-time during installation of the electrode and a visual indication of the electrode position may be provided on a display screen.

Abstract: A pacing system for providing optimal hemodynamic cardiac function for parameters such as contractility (peak left ventricle pressure change during systole or LV+dp/dt), or stroke volume (aortic pulse pressure) using system for calculating atrio-ventricular delays for optimal timing of a ventricular pacing pulse. The system providing an option for near optimal pacing of multiple hemodynamic parameters. The system deriving the proper timing using electrical or mechanical events having a predictable relationship with an optimal ventricular pacing timing signal.

Abstract: A pacing system for providing optimal hemodynamic cardiac function for parameters such as contractility (peak left ventricle pressure change during systole or LV+dp/dt), or stroke volume (aortic pulse pressure) using system for calculating atrio-ventricular delays for optimal timing of a ventricular pacing pulse. The system providing an option for near optimal pacing of multiple hemodynamic parameters. The system deriving the proper timing using electrical or mechanical events having a predictable relationship with an optimal ventricular pacing timing signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the coronary sinus vein branch location of a left ventricle electrode are disclosed. The systems and methods involve detecting the occurrence of electrical events within the patient's heart including sensing one or more of the electrical events with the electrode and then analyzing the electrical events to determine the electrode's position. The determination of electrode position may be used to automatically adjust operating parameters of a VRT device. Furthermore, the determination of electrode position may be made in real-time during installation of the electrode and a visual indication of the electrode position may be provided on a display screen.

Abstract: An implanted heart pacing device includes a right atrium electrode for sensing depolarization from the sino-atrial node when the device determines that the heart should proceed at a natural pulse rate and includes a left atrium electrode for providing an electrical stimulation to the left atrium when the device determines that the heart should not proceed at the natural pulse rate. One or more electrodes may also be located at one or more ventricular walls to provide electrical stimulation to the one or more ventricular walls subsequent to sensing in the right atrium or stimulating in the left atrium to resynchronize the ventricular contraction, such as for compensating for a bundle branch block. Stimulating the left atrium with a left atrium electrode when controlling the pulse rate of the heart allows the left atrium to contract early enough to avoid mitral valve closure resulting from left ventricular contraction.

Abstract: A pacing system for providing optimal hemodynamic cardiac function for parameters such as contractility (peak left ventricle pressure change during systole or LV+dp/dt), or stroke volume (aortic pulse pressure) using system for calculating atrio-ventricular delays for optimal timing of a ventricular pacing pulse. The system providing an option for near optimal pacing of multiple hemodynamic parameters. The system deriving the proper timing using electrical or mechanical events having a predictable relationship with an optimal ventricular pacing timing signal.

Abstract: An implanted heart monitor includes sensors that measure various aspects of the heart failure patient's heart. A remote heart monitoring system connects the implanted heart monitor to a care provider, such as a physician. The data provided by the implanted heart monitor permits the care provider to obtain valuable data on the heart in order to make health care decisions affecting the heart failure patient's treatment. In many cases, the measurement of core body temperature and other patient data will enable the care provider to alter the patient's treatment to address the patient's condition. The implanted heart monitor can communicate over a wireless communication link with an external monitor. The implanted heart monitor may be implemented as part of a pacing device (i.e., pace maker) or may be a separate unit devoted to monitoring functions. The external monitor communicates with a monitoring station over a communication link.

Abstract: A maximum pacing rate limiter for use in adaptive rate pacing in conjunction with a cardiac rhythm management system for a heart. The maximum pacing rate limiter may function to measure an interval, termed the ERT interval, between a paced ventricular evoked response and a T-wave. The maximum pacing rate limiter may further function to maintain the ERT interval at less than a certain percentage of the total cardiac cycle. In one disclosed embodiment, a maximum pacing rate limiter calculates an ERT rate based on the detected paced ventricular evoked response and the T-wave, and the pacing rate limiter module further communicates the minimum of the ERT rate and an adaptive-rate sensor indicated rate to a pacemaker.

Abstract: A pacing system for providing optimal hemodynamic cardiac function for parameters such as contractility (peak left ventricle pressure change during systole or LV+dp/dt), or stroke volume (aortic pulse pressure) using system for calculating atrio-ventricular delays for optimal timing of a ventricular pacing pulse. The system providing an option for near optimal pacing of multiple hemodynamic parameters. The system deriving the proper timing using electrical or mechanical events having a predictable relationship with an optimal ventricular pacing timing signal.

Abstract: An implanted heart pacing device includes a right atrium electrode for sensing depolarization from the sino-atrial node when the device determines that the heart should proceed at a natural pulse rate and includes a left atrium electrode for providing an electrical stimulation to the left atrium when the device determines that the heart should not proceed at the natural pulse rate. One or more electrodes may also be located at one or more ventricular walls to provide electrical stimulation to the one or more ventricular walls subsequent to sensing in the right atrium or stimulating in the left atrium to resynchronize the ventricular contraction, such as for compensating for a bundle branch block. Stimulating the left atrium with a left atrium electrode when controlling the pulse rate of the heart allows the left atrium to contract early enough to avoid mitral valve closure resulting from left ventricular contraction.

Abstract: A pacing system for providing optimal hemodynamic cardiac function for parameters such as contractility (peak left ventricle pressure change during systole or LV+dp/dt), or stroke volume (aortic pulse pressure) using system for calculating atrio-ventricular delays for optimal timing of a ventricular pacing pulse. The system providing an option for near optimal pacing of multiple hemodynamic parameters. The system deriving the proper timing using electrical or mechanical events having a predictable relationship with an optimal ventricular pacing timing signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the coronary sinus vein branch location of a left ventricle electrode are disclosed. The systems and methods involve detecting the occurrence of electrical events within the patient's heart including sensing one or more of the electrical events with the electrode and then analyzing the electrical events to determine the electrode's position. The determination of electrode position may be used to automatically adjust operating parameters of a VRT device. Furthermore, the determination of electrode position may be made in real-time during installation of the electrode and a visual indication of the electrode position may be provided on a display screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting acute response to cardiac resynchronization therapy is disclosed. The method can comprise measuring a first interval during an intrinsic systolic cycle and measuring a second interval during a stimulated systolic cycle. The acute response can be predicted by comparing the percent change in duration between the first interval and the second interval against a pre-determined threshold value. The first and second time intervals can be measured using, for example, a surface ECG or, alternatively, an intracardiac electrogram. In one embodiment, the first interval can be the duration of an intrinsic QRS complex measured during a non-stimulated systolic cycle. Similarly, the second interval can be the duration of a stimulated QRS complex measured during a stimulated systolic cycle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining whether a patient is a responder to cardiac resynchronization therapy. The beginning and ending of the intrinsic ventricular depolarization are determined through signals measured from one or more electrodes implanted in the patient's heart. An interval between the beginning and ending of the intrinsic ventricular depolarization is computed and is compared to a threshold. The threshold may be determined empirically. The pacing parameters of a heart stimulation device, such as a pacemaker, may then be configured, for example, by setting the paced atrio-ventricular delay based on whether the patient responds positively to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Abstract: A pacing system for providing optimal hemodynamic cardiac function for parameters such as contractility (peak left ventricle pressure change during systole or LV+dp/dt), or stroke volume (aortic pulse pressure) using system for calculating atrio-ventricular delays for optimal timing of a ventricular pacing pulse. The system providing an option for near optimal pacing of multiple hemodynamic parameters. The system deriving the proper timing using electrical or mechanical events having a predictable relationship with an optimal ventricular pacing timing signal.

Abstract: A pacing system for providing optimal hemodynamic cardiac function for parameters such as contractility (peak left ventricle pressure change during systole or LV+dp/dt), or stroke volume (aortic pulse pressure) using system for calculating atrio-ventricular delays for optimal timing of a ventricular pacing pulse. The system providing an option for near optimal pacing of multiple hemodynamic parameters. The system deriving the proper timing using electrical or mechanical events having a predictable relationship with an optimal ventricular pacing timing signal.

Abstract: A pacing system for providing optimal hemodynamic cardiac function for parameters such as contractility (peak left ventricle pressure change during systole or LV+dp/dt), or stroke volume (aortic pulse pressure) using system for calculating atrio-ventricular delays for optimal timing of a ventricular pacing pulse. The system providing an option for near optimal pacing of multiple hemodynamic parameters. The system deriving the proper timing using electrical or mechanical events having a predictable relationship with an optimal ventricular pacing timing signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether a patient with congestive heart failure (CHF) will benefit from pacing therapy through the use of an implantable cardiac rhythm management device. A patient's right ventricular and left ventricular pressures are measured, and the patient's PP_Area is calculated for each normal heartbeat that occurs during the testing period. Depending upon the value of the patient's mean PP_Area, it can be determined whether the patient will or will not respond well acutely to pacing therapy. A mean PP_Area value of greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, which is about 0.3, indicates that the patient is a responder to pacing therapy, while a value of less than the predetermined threshold of about 0.3 indicates that the patient is a non-responder.

Abstract: A pacing system for providing optimal hemodynamic cardiac function for parameters such as contractility (peak left ventricle pressure change during systole or LV+dp/dt), or stroke volume (aortic pulse pressure) using system for calculating atrio-ventricular delays for optimal timing of a ventricular pacing pulse. The system providing an option for near optimal pacing of multiple hemodynamic parameters. The system deriving the proper timing using electrical or mechanical events having a predictable relationship with an optimal ventricular pacing timing signal.