Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for integrating cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and temporary induced dyssynchrony (TID) therapy. An implantable cardiac device includes one or more pulse generators coupled to a plurality of electrodes, and a controller communicatively coupled to the one or more pulse generators and configured to cause the one or more pulse generators to apply a combination of CRT and TID therapy to a patient's heart via the plurality of electrodes in accordance with at least one protocol.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for providing temporary induced dyssynchrony (TID) therapy to patients with atrial tachycardia. An implantable cardiac device includes a pulse generator coupled to a plurality of electrodes, and a controller communicatively coupled to the pulse generator and configured to cause the pulse generator to apply TID therapy to a patient's heart via the plurality of electrodes, determine that the patient's heart is experiencing atrial tachycardia, and adjust at least one parameter of the TID therapy based on the determination.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for integrating cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and temporary induced dyssynchrony (TID) therapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for providing temporary induced dyssynchrony (TID) therapy to patients with atrial tachycardia. An implantable cardiac device includes a pulse generator coupled to a plurality of electrodes, and a controller communicatively coupled to the pulse generator and configured to cause the pulse generator to apply TID therapy to a patient's heart via the plurality of electrodes, determine that the patient's heart is experiencing atrial tachycardia, and adjust at least one parameter of the TID therapy based on the determination.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for providing temporary induced dyssynchrony (TID) therapy. An implantable cardiac device includes a pulse generator coupled to a plurality of electrodes, and a controller communicatively coupled to the pulse generator. The controller is configured to receive a signal and determine whether to cause the pulse generator to apply TID therapy to a patient's heart based at least in part upon the received signal.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for detecting and distinguishing stroke and cardiac ischemia based on electrocardiac signals. In one example, the device senses atrial and ventricular signals within the patient along a set of unipolar sensing vectors and identifies certain morphological features within the signals such as PR intervals, ST intervals, QT intervals, T-waves, etc. The device detects changes, if any, within the morphological features such as significant shifts in ST interval elevation or an inversion in T-wave shape, which are indicative of stroke or cardiac ischemia. By selectively comparing changes detected along different unipolar sensing vectors, the device distinguishes or discriminates stroke from cardiac ischemia within the patient. The discrimination may be corroborated using various physiological and hemodynamic parameters. In some examples, the device further identifies the location of the ischemia within the heart.

Abstract: In a system and method for controlling an implantable stimulator capable of producing pacing pulses to be delivered to cardiac tissue, as well as vagal stimulation pulses to be delivered to vagus nerve sites, upon detection of a premature cardiac event, such as a premature ventricular or atrial contraction, a simulated heart rate turbulence (HRT) procedure is applied if the intrinsic heart rate turbulence is weakened or absent. The simulated HRT includes a first phase in which the heart rate is increased, from the existing level, for a number of heart beats, a second phase in which the heart rate is decreased for a number of heart beats, and an optional third phase in which the heart rate is returned to said existing level.

Abstract: Provided herein are implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for monitoring a patient's pre-ejection interval (PEI). A signal indicative of cardiac electrical activity and a signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume are obtained. One or more predetermined features of the signal indicative of cardiac electrical activity and the signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume are detected. The patient's PEI is determined by determining an interval between the predetermined feature of the signal indicative of cardiac electrical activity and the predetermined feature of the signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume.

Abstract: Implanted systems and methods for monitoring a patient's arterial stiffness are provided. An implanted sensor is used to produce a signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume for a plurality of beats of the patient's heart. A pulse duration metric is determined for each of a plurality of pulses of the signal, wherein each pulse of the signal corresponds to a beat of the patient's heart. Arterial stiffness is monitored based on the determined pulse duration metric for the plurality of pulses of the signal. This can include monitoring arterial stiffness based on a dispersion of the pulse duration metric and/or an average of the pulse duration metric.

Abstract: Provided herein are implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for monitoring a patient's pre-ejection interval (PEI). A signal indicative of cardiac electrical activity and a signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume are obtained. One or more predetermined features of the signal indicative of cardiac electrical activity and the signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume are detected. The patient's PEI is determined by determining an interval between the predetermined feature of the signal indicative of cardiac electrical activity and the predetermined feature of the signal indicative of changes in arterial blood volume.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for detecting stroke within a patient using an implantable medical device. In one example, various electrocardiac and physiological signals are sensed within the patient by the implantable device. The device derives a set of indices from the sensed signals based on parameters affected by stroke. Stroke is then detected within the patient based on an examination of the set of indices. Warnings can then be generated, neurostimulation delivered, pacing therapy adjusted, medications dispensed, etc., in response to the stroke. In one particular example, the set of indices includes: a heart rate variability index; a heart rate turbulence index; a baroreflex index; a QT index; a respiration index; and a circadian variability index, from which a composite stroke index is derived. Time delta indices may also be generated for each individual index, which are exploited in generating the composite stroke index.

Abstract: In a system and method for controlling an implantable stimulator capable of producing pacing pulses to be delivered to cardiac tissue, as well as vagal stimulation pulses to be delivered to vagus nerve sites, upon detection of a premature cardiac event, such as a premature ventricular or atrial contraction, a simulated heart rate turbulence (HRT) procedure is applied if the intrinsic heart rate turbulence is weakened or absent. The simulated HRT includes a first phase in which the heart rate is increased, from the existing level, for a number of heart beats, a second phase in which the heart rate is decreased for a number of heart beats, and an optional third phase in which the heart rate is returned to said existing level.