Patent ID: 7792579
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. A method for delivering a therapy to a patient having a heart generating cardiac signals in order to terminate a tachycardia event of the heart having a tachycardia cycle length, comprising: sensing the cardiac signals generated by the heart; detecting the tachycardia event based, at least in part, on a cycle length of the cardiac signals; delivering a first plurality of pacing pulses having a pacing pulse cycle length to the heart in response to the cardiac event; then sensing a first one of the cardiac signals generated by the heart following a last one of the first plurality of pacing pulses; determining a return cycle length representative of an amount of time between the last one of the first plurality of pacing pulses and the first one of the cardiac signals generated by the heart immediately following the first plurality of pacing pulses; and if the return cycle length is less than or equal to the tachycardia cycle length, delivering a second plurality of pacing pulses having an adjusted pacing pulse cycle length, different from the pacing pulse cycle length of the first plurality of pacing pulses, to the heart.