Patent ID: 6996437
Filing Date: 2006-02-07
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A method of pacing for use in a medical device, the method comprising: providing a paced AV delay following an atrial paced event, wherein the paced AV delay is a predetermined time period initiated by the atrial paced event; defining a ventricular safety pacing window during at least an initial portion of the paced AV delay, wherein the paced AV delay further comprises a remainder period if the paced AV delay is longer than the ventricular safety pacing window; sensing ventricular events at only one ventricular side of a patient's heart; delivering ventricular stimulus to the at least one ventricular side of the patient's heart upon expiration of the paced AV delay if no ventricular events are sensed during the ventricular safety pacing window defined during at least the initial portion of the paced AV delay and the remainder portion of the paced AV delay; inhibiting the delivery of ventricular stimulus upon expiration of the paced AV delay if no ventricular events are sensed during the ventricular safety pacing window but a ventricular event is sensed during the remainder portion of the paced AV delay; and if a ventricular event is sensed during the ventricular safety pacing window, committing to delivery of ventricular stimulus upon expiration of the ventricular safety pacing window or the paced AV delay, which ever is shorter, only to the one ventricular side of the patients heart where ventricular events are sensed.