Patent ID: 6058328
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: A61N

Abstract:
A method of operating an implantable medical device in one of a main operating mode or a preemptive tachyarrhythmia preventive pacing operating mode, the implantable medical device including pulse generating means for generating pacing pulses and directing such pulses to cardiac tissue of a patient, the pulse generating means being controlled by a processor, the processor being coupled to a memory wherein an operating program for controlling the operating modes may be stored, the method comprising the steps of:(a) sensing at least one parameter associated with the physiology of the patient's heart for an indication that a tachyarrhythmia may soon occur;(b) determining when the at least one parameter exceeds a prescribed threshold, thereby indicating that a tachyarrhythmia may soon occur;(c) automatically operating the implantable medical device in accordance with the main operating mode whenever the at least one parameter suggests that a tachyarrhythmia may not soon occur, wherein the main operating program is aimed at controlling the implantable medical device so that it performs its intended function; and(d) automatically operating the implantable medical device in accordance with the preemptive tachyarrhythmia preventive pacing operating mode whenever the at least one parameter exceeds the prescribed threshold thereby indicating that a tachyarrhythmia may soon occur, wherein the preemptive tachyarrhythmia preventive pacing operating mode is aimed at preventing a tachyarrhythmia from occurring.