Abstract: A method of pacing opposing chambers of a heart with a pacing system is provided. The pacing system comprises a first bipolar medical electrical lead having at least one first electrode configured for positioning in a first opposing chamber of the heart, a second bipolar medical electrical lead having at least one second electrode configured for positioning in a second opposing chamber of the heart, an implantable pulse generator operably connected to the first and second bipolar medical electrical leads. The implantable pulse generator further comprises a hermetically sealed housing capable of serving as a can electrode. The method designates a primary electrode configuration by selecting a cathode and an anode from either the first electrode, second electrode, or the can. Selection of the cathode is based on a comparison of thresholds measured in each chamber. Systems, programs and devices using the method are also provided.

Abstract: A method of pacing opposing chambers of a heart with a pacing system is provided. The pacing system comprises a first unipolar medical electrical lead having at least one first electrode configured for positioning in a first opposing chamber of the heart, a second unipolar medical electrical lead having at least one second electrode configured for positioning in a second opposing chamber of the heart, an implantable pulse generator operably connected to the first and second unipolar medical electrical leads. The implantable pulse generator further comprises an hermetically sealed housing capable of serving as a can electrode, and means for switching electrode configurations between the first electrode and the can electrode, between the second electrode and the can electrode, between the first electrode and the second electrode and between the second electrode and the first electrode. A primary electrode configuration is determined.

Abstract: A soothing program for anti-atrial tachyarrhymia therapy operates within a natural intrinsic atrial rate band for increased patient comport and improved therapy. The implantable pacemakers is configured with an atrial event detector, an anti-atrial tachyarrhymia progam that produces an anti-tachyarrhymia therapy, and a soothing program. The soothing program resides in memory and adjusts the anti-atrial tachyarrhymia program. The soothing program has an acceleration rate within a natural intrinsic atrial rate band upon detection of an atrial tachyarrhymia event and a deceleration rate also within the natural intrinsic atrial rate band to adjust the anti-atrial tachyarrhymia therapy. Some embodiments can adjust the anti-atrial tachyarrhymia therapy to maintain natural atrial activation and reduce patient discomfort such as palpitations.

Abstract: A system and method for an implantable cardiac pacing device provide for delivery of anti-tachycardia pacing of the atrium upon detection of atrial tachycardia combined with automatic re-synchronization of ventricular pacing directly following the last atrial pulse of the anti-tachycardia scheme. At the onset of delivery of the ATP train or like scheme of ATP, an appropriate ventricular pacing interval is calculated to enable asynchronous pacing of the ventricle during the ATP and synchronous delivery of the next ventricular pulse at a delay following the end of the ATP train. Upon determination of AT, an algorithm is used to calculate if a ventricular pacing interval can be found that meets maximum and minimum pacing criteria and also provides that the next ventricular pace pulse following the end of the ATP train will follow the last atrial pulse of the train by a suitable AV delay.

Abstract: A method of monitoring heart failure is provided. A baseline heart rate change value is determined, wherein the baseline heart rate change value comprises a speed at which a first initial heart rate changes to a second initial heart rate. At least one subsequent heart rate change value is also determined, wherein the subsequent heart rate change value comprises a subsequent speed at which a first subsequent heart rate changes to a second subsequent heart rate. The subsequent heart rate change value is compared to the baseline heart rate change value to obtain at least one heart failure value. Systems and programs for using the method are also provided.

Abstract: A method of measuring a source impedance of at least one cardiac electrical signal in a mammalian heart is provided. A first amplifier system is operated. A first signal from a chamber of the heart is received. The first signal is passed through a first amplifier. A second amplifier system is then operated. A second signal from the chamber of the heart is received. The second signal is passed through a second amplifier. Finally, the source impedance of at least one cardiac electrical signal is calculated. The source impedance is based on the amplified first signal and the amplified second signal.

Abstract: A method of pacing opposing chambers of a heart with a pacing system is provided. The pacing system comprises a first unipolar medical electrical lead having at least one first electrode configured for positioning in a first opposing chamber of the heart, a second unipolar medical electrical lead having at least one second electrode configured for positioning in a second opposing chamber of the heart, an implantable pulse generator operably connected to the first and second unipolar medical electrical leads. The implantable pulse generator further comprises an hermetically sealed housing capable of serving as a can electrode, and means for switching electrode configurations between the first electrode and the can electrode, between the second electrode and the can electrode, between the first electrode and the second electrode and between the second electrode and the first electrode. A primary electrode configuration is determined.

Abstract: An improved system and method for analyzing far-filed R-waves detected by a sensing device located in the atrium of a patient's heart are provided.

Abstract: A method of monitoring heart failure is provided. A baseline heart rate change value is determined, wherein the baseline heart rate change value comprises a speed at which a first initial heart rate changes to a second initial heart rate. At least one subsequent heart rate change value is also determined, wherein the subsequent heart rate change value comprises a subsequent speed at which a first subsequent heart rate changes to a second subsequent heart rate. The subsequent heart rate change value is compared to the baseline heart rate change value to obtain at least one heart failure value. Systems and programs for using the method are also provided.

Abstract: An improved system and method for analyzing far-filed R-waves detected by a sensing device located in the atrium of a patient's heart are provided.