Patent ID: 7856266
Filing Date: 2010-12-21
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
1. An implantable cardiac stimulation device comprising: a therapy control that causes different sequences of trains of pre-defibrillating shock output pulses to be applied to the heart; monitors a characteristic related to vagal tone as the different sequences of trains of pre-defibrillating shock output pulses are applied to the heart; and selects the pulse train of pre-defibrillating shock output pulses that result in increased vagal tone as a pre-defibrillating shock therapy to be provided in a defibrillation therapy, wherein the defibrillation therapy comprises the pre-defibrillating shock therapy followed by a defibrillating shock having a first energy; an arrhythmia detector that detects fibrillation of a fibrillating chamber of a heart; a pulse generator that provides the fibrillation therapy output responsive to the arrhythmia detector detecting fibrillation of the fibrillating chamber of the heart, wherein the pulse train of the pre-defibrillating shock therapy has a second energy lower than the first energy and a pulse duration of between fifty microseconds and one-hundred microseconds, wherein the pulses are provided at a rate of between 15-100 Hz; and an electrode system that delivers both the pulse train of pre-defibrillating shock output pulses to the heart and the defibrillating shock to the fibrillating chamber of the heart.