Patent ID: 7756572
Filing Date: 2010-07-13
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
1. A method for use with an implantable medical device for detecting cardiac ischemia within a patient in which the device is implanted, the method comprising: detecting ST segment elevation within electrical cardiac signal data; detecting a preliminary indication of an episode of cardiac ischemia based on ST segment elevation and, in response, sensing additional electrical cardiac signal data; detecting QTmax intervals and QTend intervals within the additional data; analyzing the QTmax intervals and the QTend intervals to detect for changes in QTmax intervals and changes in QTend intervals, wherein said changes in QTmax intervals and QTend intervals include lengthening or decreases in said intervals; and confirming the episode of cardiac ischemia based on the combination of a decrease in the QTmax intervals and a lack of significant change in the QTend intervals, or distinguishing among cardiac ischemia and other potential causes of ST segment deviation based on other changes in the QTmax intervals and the QTend intervals.