Patent ID: 6129744
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
An implantable system for pacing a patient's heart and for determining a condition of heart failure, comprising:stimulus means for generating and delivering stimulus pulses to said patient's heart;heart signal means for monitoring patient heart signals and collecting heart signal data relating to said heart signals;process means for processing said heart signal data to find changes in predetermined features of said heart signals;indication means for providing an indication of heart failure as a function of said heart signal changes; andresponse means for automatically responding to said heart failure indication by providing a treatment for said heart failure,wherein said response means comprises pacing control means for controlling said stimulus means to deliver pacing pulses in accordance with a predetermined routine adapted to said heart failure condition and, wherein said stimulus means comprises bi-ventricular means for delivering pacing pulses to at least said patient's left and right ventricles, and wherein said control means comprises means for timing delivery of pacing pulses to said patient left and right ventricles so as to improve cardiac output.