Abstract: A system and method for detecting and treating symptoms of early decompensation utilizing a cardiac rhythm management. The system applies an electrical stimulus to the patient's heart at a first set of pacing parameters including a lower rate limit (LRL) setting, and acquires a coronary venous pressure (CVP) signal from a pressure sensor implanted in a coronary vein of the patient. An average coronary venous end diastolic pressure (CV-EDP) value is calculated from the CVP signal. The system monitors the average CV-EDP value over a predetermined interval, and dynamically adjusts the LRL setting responsive to the detection of a first or a second predetermined event based on the average CV-EDP value.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling cardiac ventricular tachyarrhythmias by acquiring a pressure signal representative of coronary venous pressure (CVP) from a pressure sensor implanted within a coronary vein of the patient. A CVP index is derived based on the pressure signal. The onset of a ventricular tachyarrhythmia episode is detected based on a cardiac rates signal. The CVP index and the rate signal are monitored and, responsive to the rate signal indicating a sustained tachycardia episode during the episode monitoring period, anti-tachycardia therapy selectively withheld and the episode monitoring period is extended based on the CVP index.

Abstract: A system and method for pacing rate control in a cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system. The method includes acquiring a pressure signal representative of coronary venous pressure (CVP) from a pressure sensor implanted within a coronary vein of the patient and generating a CVP waveform from the pressure signal. A pacing stimulus is applied to the patient's heart, and the pacing rate is increased in response to increases in patient's metabolic demand. The CVP index is monitored during the pacing rate increase, and the CRM system detects a reduction in the patient's hemodynamic performance based on the CVP index and establishes a maximum rate setting based on the pacing rate corresponding to the reduction in the patient's hemodynamic performance.

Abstract: A method treating cancer in a subject comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antimetabolite agent that induces formation of AP sites in cancer cells of the subjects and an amount AP endonuclease inhibitor effective to potentiate the cytotoxicity of the antimetabolite agent to the cancer cells.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reversing ventricular remodeling with electro-stimulatory therapy. A ventricle is paced by delivering one or more stimulatory pulses in a manner such that a stressed region of the myocardium is pre-excited relative to other regions in order to subject the stressed region to a lessened preload and afterload during systole. The unloading of the stressed myocardium over time effects reversal of undesirable ventricular remodeling.

Abstract: A method of measuring the efficacy of an anticancer agent in generating abasic (AP) sites in DNA of cancer cells of a subject includes administering to the subject an anticancer agent that generates AP sites in at least one cancer cell and an AP endonuclease inhibitor probe. The AP endonuclease inhibitor probe includes a detection moiety for detecting the probe in the subject. The amount of probe bound to cancer cells of the subject is then measured. The amount of probe bound to cancer cells of the subject is indicative of efficacy of the anticancer agent in generating AP sites in cancer cells of the subject.

Abstract: A method of treating a neoplastic disease in a subject includes administering to neoplastic cells of the subject an MGMT inhibitor and at least one of an antimitotic agent or a DNA damaging agent.

Abstract: A medical lead includes a lead body having at least one conductor extending from a proximal end of the lead body to a distal end of the lead body. The proximal end is adapted to be connected to a pulse generator, and the distal end includes a curved portion. One or more electrodes are operatively connected to the at least one conductor and coupled to the curved portion of the lead body. At least a portion of each of the one or more electrodes includes an arrangement of interconnected, spaced-apart elements that are selectively configured to allow the one or more electrodes to conform to contours of the curved portion during and after implantation of the medical lead.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of performing a merge operation can include: mapping a business process modeling notation (BPMN) model to a business process execution language (BPEL) model; modifying the BPMN model to form a modified BPMN model; modifying the BPEL model to form a modified BPEL model; when the merge operation is a forward merge operation: exporting the modified BPMN model to an exported BPEL model; performing an activity level outline merge for added information technology (IT) scopes and branches from the modified BPEL model; performing an activity level detail merge for added IT details from the modified BPEL model; and performing an attribute level merge for updated branch conditions in the merged BPEL model; and when the merge operation is a reverse merge operation, adding scopes and branches from the modified BPEL model to the BPMN model.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system comprises a medical electrical lead, a pressure sensing element, and an implantable pulse generator. The lead is sized to be advanced through the right atrium and coronary sinus into a coronary vein adjacent to the left ventricle. The lead includes an opening intermediate its proximal and distal ends, and a lumen extending longitudinally within the body in communication with the opening. The pressure sensing element is movably disposed in lead lumen and is dimensioned to extend through the opening in the lead, and includes a flexible, elongated conductive member having a distal end, and a pressure transducer coupled to the distal end of the conductive member. The pulse generator is configured to receive cardiac rhythm signals from the electrode and fluid pressure signals from the pressure transducer.

Abstract: A seal adapted for use with medical devices is provided. The medical device may be a lead having a distal tip adapted for implantation on or about the heart and for connection to a system for monitoring or stimulating cardiac activity. The lead assembly in one embodiment includes an atraumatic tip. A seal is provided within the lead tip assembly, which prevents or limits further entry of fluids through the lead tip. The lead may be a left ventricular lead with a hemostasis mechanism provided therewithin.

Abstract: A method of detecting abasic (AP) sites in DNA from a subject includes isolating a sample of DNA from a subject under examination, contacting the DNA with a fluorescent aldehyde reactive probe (FARP), and detecting FARP labeled AP sites in the DNA sample.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating a hemodynamic performance parameter value of a patient's heart. The system includes a pulse generator and a medical electrical lead implanted partially within a coronary vein of the heart. The lead includes at least one sensor located within the coronary vein configured to generate a signal indicative of at least one dimensional parameter of the coronary vein. Changes in the dimensional parameter during one or more cardiac cycles are measured. The hemodynamic performance parameter is estimated based on the change in the dimensional parameter of the coronary vein.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating a hemodynamic performance parameter value of a patient's heart. The system includes a pulse generator and a medical electrical lead implanted partially within a coronary vein of heart. The lead includes at least one sensor located within the coronary vein configured to generate a signal indicative of at least one dimensional parameter of the coronary vein. Changes in the dimensional parameter during one or more cardiac cycles are measured. The hemodynamic performance parameter is estimated based on the change in the dimensional parameter of the coronary vein.

Abstract: Lead assemblies and methods for sensing or stimulating a first myocardial contact area and a second myocardial contact area when implanted are discussed. A lead assembly includes a lead body having at least one preformed biased portion at an intermediate portion thereof and an unbiased portion disposed between the biased portion and the distal end thereof. A first electrode is located at the preformed biased portion and is arranged to provide sensing or stimulation to the first myocardial contact area. A second electrode is located on the lead body distal to, and spaced apart from, the first electrode and is arranged to provide sensing or stimulation to a distinct second myocardial contact area spaced apart from the first myocardial contact area. In an example, the lead assembly includes a second preformed biased portion at the distal end of the lead body. In another example, the lead assembly includes additional electrodes.

Abstract: An inspiratory muscle stimulation system uses an implantable medical device to deliver stimulation to control diaphragmatic contractions for slower and deeper breathing, thereby conditioning and strengthening inspiratory muscles. In various embodiments, respiratory and/or cardiac performance are monitored for controlling parameters of the stimulation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are related to leads with topographic surface features and related methods, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable lead including a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, the lead body including an outer layer defining a lumen, the lead body further including a first electrical conductor disposed within the lumen of the outer layer. The implantable lead can further include a first electrode coupled to the lead body, the electrode in electrical communication with the first electrical conductor. The implantable lead can also include a cellular modulation segment on the external surface of the lead body, the cellular modulation segment comprising topographic surface features configured to modulate cellular responses. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reversing ventricular remodeling with electro-stimulatory therapy. A ventricle is paced by delivering one or more stimulatory pulses in a manner such that a stressed region of the myocardium is pre-excited relative to other regions in order to subject the stressed region to a lessened preload and afterload during systole. The unloading of the stressed myocardium over time effects reversal of undesirable ventricular remodeling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reversing ventricular remodeling with electro-stimulatory therapy. A ventricle is paced by delivering one or more stimulatory pulses in a manner such that a stressed region of the myocardium is pre-excited relative to other regions in order to subject the stressed region to a lessened preload and afterload during systole. The unloading of the stressed myocardium over time effects reversal of undesirable ventricular remodeling.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having an intermediate portion therebetween. The lead body includes two or more individually insulated conductors, where a first conductor traverses along less than an entire length of the lead body and a second conductor traverses from the proximal end to the distal end of the lead body. Optionally, the first conductor has a different material than the second conductor, for instance having differing electrical properties and/or differing stiffnesses. A method includes varying the stiffness of a coiled conductor assembly including winding a plurality of conductors to form the coiled conductor assembly, and pulling at least one loop of a first conductor away from the coiled conductor assembly.