Abstract: To control cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation post-operatively, various non-ablative agents include polymers, fibroblasts, neurotoxins, and growth factors are introduced into one or more cardiac fat pads into the atrioventricular nodal fat pad in proximity to the autonomic ganglia therein. Any desired technique may be used for introducing the agent, including injection. The sinoatrial nodal fat pad target site and the atrioventricular nodal fat pad target site are identified using a stimulator, which may have electrodes coupled thereto or which may coupled to electrodes built into a delivery system.

Abstract: To control cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation post-operatively, various non-ablative agents include polymers, fibroblasts, neurotoxins, and growth factors are introduced into one or more cardiac fat pads into the atrioventricular nodal fat pad in proximity to the autonomic ganglia therein. Any desired technique may be used for introducing the agent, including injection. The sinoatrial nodal fat pad target site and the atrioventricular nodal fat pad target site are identified using a stimulator, which may have electrodes coupled thereto or which may coupled to electrodes built into a delivery system.

Abstract: To control cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation post-operatively, various non-ablative agents include polymers, fibroblasts, neurotoxins, and growth factors are introduced into one or more cardiac fat pads into the atrioventricular nodal fat pad in proximity to the autonomic ganglia therein. Any desired technique may be used for introducing the agent, including injection. The sinoatrial nodal fat pad target site and the atrioventricular nodal fat pad target site are identified using a stimulator, which may have electrodes coupled thereto or which may coupled to electrodes built into a delivery system.

Abstract: A system (10) for achieving a desired cardiac rate and cardiac rhythm in response to atrial fibrillation in a heart includes an atrial fibrillation (AF) detector (40) for detecting AF. The system also includes an atrioventricular node vagal stimulator (AVN-VS) (30) for stimulating vagal nerves associated with an atrioventricular (AV) node of the heart. The system further includes an on-demand pace maker (40) for providing ventricular pacing stimulation to the heart. A control unit (20) is operatively connected with the AF detection device, the AVN-VS device, and the on-demand pacing device. The control unit is responsive to AF detection by the AF detector to cause the AVN-VS to stimulate the vagal nerves to help reduce the ventricular rate of the heart. The control unit is further responsive to AF detection by the AF detector to cause the on-demand pace maker to help regulate the ventricular rate of the heart.

Abstract: Vagal stimulation applied to the atrioventricular nodal (“AVN”) fat pad and the sinoatrial nodal (“SAN”) fat pad via epicardial leads is useful for controlling cardiac arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation (‘AF”). In the case of AF, for example, vagal stimulation may be applied initially to the AVN fat pad to reduce ventricular rate, and vagal stimulation may be applied to the SAN fat pad after restoration of sinus rhythm to control atrial rate. The technique is applicable to control acute AF and chronic AF. The vagal stimulation may be optimized for exciting ganglia in the fat pads to produce dromotropic and chronotropic effects in the atrioventricular node and the sinoatrial node, respectively. In addition, the SAN fat lead can also be used to pace the atrium in case of sinus bradycardia.

Abstract: A medical electrical lead for conducting electrical signals between an electrical stimulator and a heart site includes a lead body extending from a distal non-conductive disk member to a proximal connector for attachment to the stimulator, first and second spaced electrodes protruding from the disk member for puncturing engagement with the epicardial surface of the heart in the region of an AVN fat pad containing ganglia which extend to the AV node providing an electrical connection between the atrium and the ventricle, a first conductor extending from the first electrode to a first terminal of the connector, and a second conductor extending from the second electrode to a second terminal of the connector such that electrical current from the electrical stimulator is caused to flow through the ganglia between the first and second electrodes to stimulate the AV node to control ventricular rate in the presence of atrial fibrillation.

Abstract: A bifurcated electrical lead includes an elongated lead body having a proximal end portion, a bifurcated distal end portion, and a main body portion extending between the proximal end portion and the bifurcated distal end portion. The bifurcated distal end portion includes oppositely disposed first and second arm members. The first and second arm members respectively include first and second electrodes operably coupled to first and second anchoring members. The first electrode is substantially parallel to the second electrode.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a subject. One step of the method includes performing cardiac surgery on the subject. Next, a cardiac drug is administered to the subject. An electric current is then applied to a cardiac fat pad of the subject to reduce an adverse effect caused by the cardiac drug.

Abstract: A system (10) for achieving a desired cardiac rate and cardiac rhythm in response to atrial fibrillation in a heart includes an atrial fibrillation (AF) detector (40) for detecting AF. The system also includes an atrioventricular node vagal stimulator (AVN-VS) (30) for stimulating vagal nerves associated with an atrioventricular (AV) node of the heart. The system further includes an on-demand pace maker (40) for providing ventricular pacing stimulation to the heart. A control unit (20) is operatively connected with the AF detection device, the AVN-VS device, and the on-demand pacing device. The control unit is responsive to AF detection by the AF detector to cause the AVN-VS to stimulate the vagal nerves to help reduce the ventricular rate of the heart. The control unit is further responsive to AF detection by the AF detector to cause the on-demand pace maker to help regulate the ventricular rate of the heart.