Patent ID: 6094593
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
A method for detecting a propensity for ventricular fibrillation comprisingapplying a stimulus to heart muscle cells;measuring the signal response of said heart muscle cells;identifying a resting period and time duration for recovery from said signa;measuring values for said resting period and time duration for recovery of action potential duration for said cells;measuring the value of said plateau action potential duration;fitting a curve to said detected values for the restitution period and time duration for recovery using the exponential equation APD=APD.sub.P1 -Ae.sup.-DI/.tau. where APD represents the time duration for recovery of action potential duration, APD.sub.P1 is the plateau action potential duration, A is a proportionality constant, DI is said resting period, and .tau. is the time constant;determining the aforestated equation parameters so as to determine the value of .tau. for said fitted curve;providing the value of .tau. for a normal patient;comparing the value of .tau. for said fitted curve with the value of .tau. for a normal patient;registering the propensity for ventricular fibrillation at a time when the value of the time constant .tau. for said fitted curve is larger than the value of .tau. for a normal patient.