METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALLEVIATING CARDIOVERSION SHOCK PAIN

Abstract: An implantable cardioverter for providing cardioversion electrical energy to at least one chamber of patient's heart in need of cardioversion and applying a pain alleviating therapy at an appropriate site in the patient's body prior to or in conjunction with the delivery of the cardioversion energy to the heart chamber to alleviate propagated pain perceived by the patient. The combined cardioversion and pain alleviating therapies are preferably realized in a single implantable, multi-programmable medical device or separate implantable cardioversion and pain control devices with means for communicating operating and status commands between the devices through the patient's body.

Description: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALLEVIATING CARDIOVERSION SHOCK PAIN FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to an implantable device for applying cardioverting electrical energy or shock to at least one chamber of a patient's heart in need of cardioversion preceded by the delivery ofa pain suppression therapy to lessen the pain covered by the cardioversion shock. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION By way of definition, in the field of automatic implantable arrhythmia control devices, the term "cardioversion" or "cardioverter" refers to the process of and device for discharging relatively high energy electrical shocks or pulses into or across cardiac tissue to arrest a life threatening tachyarrhythmia. Cardioversion shocks or pulses may or may not be synchronized with a cardiac depolarization or rhythm and may be applied to arrest a malignant ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation with a selectable or programmable pulse energy. The arrest of atrial or ventricular fibrillation by such pulses is referred to as "defibrillation" (a form of cardioversion), and "defibrillators" have been characterized as a form of cardioverter. Products have been described and sold as combined, multiprogrammable, "pacemaker/cardioverter/ defibrillator" systems for providing programmable staged therapies of anti- tachyarrhythmia pacing, synchronized cardioversion pulses and unsynchronized defibrillation pulses. In the following description and claim's it is to be assumed that the terms "cardioversion" and "defibrillation" are interchangeable, and that use of one term is inclusive ofthe other device or operation, unless specific distinctions are drawn between them in the context ofthe use. Tachyarrhythmias are episodes of high rate cardiac depolarizations, typically occurring in one chamber ofthe heart but which may be propagated from one chamber to the other, that are sufficiently high in rate and chaotic that cardiac output from the chamber(s) is compromised, leading to loss of consciousness and death, in the case of ventricular fibrillation or weakness and dizziness in the case of atrial fibrillation or flutter and non-sinus atrial and ventricular tachycardias. Atrial fibrillation and flutter is debilitating but not life threatening unless it leads to ventricular fibrillation. Fibrillation has generally been treated by means of high energy defibrillation shocks or pulses, which, in the context of implantable anti-arrhythmia devices, are applied by means of large surface area electrodes, including an electrode on or in the chamber to be defibrillated. The high energy level is employed in order to simultaneously depolarize the bulk ofthe heart chamber to be defibrillated, which will include tissues in all stages ofthe depolarization-repolarization cycle at the time the pulse is delivered. Atrial fibrillation is probably the most common cardiac arrhythmia as reported in The Framingham Study reported in "Epidemiologic Features of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation", THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE, 306:17 1018-22, 1992, by W. Kannel, M.D. et al. Atrial fibrillation results in twice as many hospitalizations annually as bradycardia or ventricular tachyarrhythmia. The Framingham Study found an overall incidence of atrial fibrillation of approximately 0.1% per year among adults ages 25-64 years, and the prevalence in this population was approximately 2%. Atrial fibrillation is associated with strokes thought to be caused by blood clots forming in areas of stagnant blood flow as a result of prolonging atrial fibrillation. In addition, patients afflicted with atrial fibrillation generally experience palpitations ofthe heart and may even experience dizziness or even loss of consciousness. Atrial fibrillation is otherwise not inherently life threatening if the ventricles are beating normally, but presumably may precipitate a life threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Atrial fibrillation occurs suddenly and many times can only be corrected by a discharge of electrical energy to the heart through the skin ofthe patient by way of an external defibrillator ofthe type well known in the art. Care must be taken in delivering the atrial cardioversion shock outside the vulnerable period ofthe ventricles. This treatment is commonly referred to as synchronized cardioversion and, as its name implies, involves applying electrical defibrillating energy to the heart in synchronism with a detected ventricular electrical activation (R-wave) ofthe heart outside ofthe vulnerable period. The treatment is very painful and, unfortunately, most often only results in temporary relief for patients, lasting but a few weeks. Drugs are available for reducing the incidence of atrial fibrillation However, these drugs have many side effects and many patients are resistant to them which greatly reduces their therapeutic effect Automatic implantable atrial defibrillators have been proposed to provide patients suffering from occurrence of atrial fibrillation with relief For example, improved implantable atrial defibrillator and lead systems are described in the above- referenced ' 769 application and in commonly assigned U S Patent Nos 5, 165,403, 5,292,338, and 5,314,430 incoφorated herein by reference in their entireties Delivery of an atrial defibrillation pulse at an inappropriate time in the cardiac cycle may induce ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation An atrial sense amplifier and fibrillation detector is included in these systems to determine when the atria ofthe heart are in need of cardioversion, and a ventricular sense amplifier is included for sensing the R-waves The atrial fibrillation detector causes a cardioverter stage to deliver defibrillating or cardioverting electrical energy to the atria in timed relation to a detected R-wave ofthe heart to avoid delivering the atrial cardioversion pulse into the vulnerable period ofthe ventricles In the system described in the "338 patent, for example, the output signal ofthe ventricular sense amplifier is also analyzed by a ventricular fibrillation detector to recognize ventricular fibrillation or other life threatening tachyarrhythmias In the event that ventricular fibrillation or another life threatening ventricular arrhythmia is induced or occurs spontaneously, a ventricular cardioversion therapy is delivered to the ventricles As a result, the atria can be automatically and safely cardioverted Unfortunately, the quantity of electrical energy which is required to cardiovert or defibrillate the atria is sufficient, in most cases, to cause a sudden, propagated pain in the patient's chest area or to stun the patient Typically reported defibrillation thresholds between transvenous lead bearing electrodes placed to provide atrial cardioversion pathways between the right atrium (RA) and coronary sinus (CS) or the superior vena cava (SVC) and CS are 1 3+0 4 J Significant discomfort and often intolerable pain is associated with transvenous shock therapy in this range, resulting in the need for sedation of some patients and refusal to accept the therapy by other patients In addition, the successful cardioversion or defibrillation ofthe atria may also result in a rapid decrease in the patient's heart rate from a high and possibly variable heart rate. This rapid change in heart rate can, for some patients, cause discomfort or even temporary dizziness. The atrial defibrillator and method of U.S. Patent No. 5,332,400 provides a warning to the patient that an atrial cardioversion shock is about to be delivered in the form of electrical energy applied to internal tissue ofthe patient and being ofa quantity so as to be discemable by the patient without pain or other undesirable effects. The warning also provides a sufficient time in advance ofthe delivery ofthe cardioverting shock to afford the patient with an opportunity to prepare for it. For example, if the patient is standing or walking and receives the warning, the patient may wish to find a place to sit in preparation. As another example, if the patient is driving an automobile and receives the warning, the patient may wish to safely pull off the road and park in preparation. In summary, implantable atrial cardioverters capable of generating electrical energy of sufficient amplitude and duration delivered via either epicardial or endocardial electrodes have proven effective in converting atrial fibrillation or tachycardia to normal sinus rhythm. However, with delivered shock energy exceeding 1.0 joule, intractable pain occurs to the conscious patient which drastically limits the utility of this therapy, especially if atrial cardioversion is required several times a day. Ventricular cardioversion shocks delivered by automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillators are typically an order of magnitude greater in energy, in the range of 10.0 - 30.0 joules. However, the patient is usually unconscious by the time that the shock is delivered due to the loss of cardiac output. Nevertheless, patients report lingering chest muscle pain and discomfort from the successful cardioversion shock after awakening. Considerable research effort has gone into reducing the required ventricular cardioversion shock energy level in order to reduce the size and increase the longevity ofthe implanted device. To date, the reduced energy delivered is still great enough to result in considerable pain if the patient is still awake, and significant lingering pain exists following cardioversion shock energy delivery. Turning to pain control through electrical stimulation, temporary or permanently implanted medical electrical nerve or spinal cord stimulation (SCS) devices for producing pain relief are widely available. The Medtronic® Itrel II implantable neuro stimulation system is widely implanted for treatment and alleviation of intractable pain. Clinical reports and studies have shown that spinal cord stimulation, a.k.a. dorsal cord stimulation, appears to suppress angina pectoris pain symptoms. The effects of SCS on angina symptoms induced by pacing the subject's heart at an elevated rate been studied, as described, for example, in "Effects of spinal cord stimulation in angina pectoris induced by pacing and possible mechanism of action", BMJ, 307(21):477-450, August, 1993, by C. Mannheimer, MD, et al. Similar pain suppression effects have been reported in patients suffering exercise induced, or pain or fright response, angina symptoms in "Spinal cord stimulation in angina pectoris with normal coronary arteriograms", Coronary Artery Disease, 1993: 4:819-827 by T. Eliasson, MD, et al. It is postulated therein that spinal cord stimulation relieves pain by inhibiting impulse transmission in small fiber afferents by the activation ofthe large fiber afferents on the spinal segmental level. Chronic angina symptoms arise at an exercise induced elevated heart rate when cardiac muscle is deprived of oxygen due to restricted arterial blood flow and lactate accumulates in the cardiac muscle deprived of oxygen. Typically, the patient reduces exercise level to lower the heart rate or is medicated. Acute angina symptoms arise in a "heart attack" when a restricted cardiac artery is blocked. Interventional therapies are required to restore the blood flow before the insufficiency results in myocardial ischemia. Neither chronic nor acute angina symptoms are necessarily related to an arrhythmia ofa heart chamber which requires cardioversion and/or drug therapies to alleviate, and the SCS pain suppression described in these articles is not related to cardioversion. Other approaches have also been proposed and nerve stimulation systems implanted in patients to control chronic angina and/or reduce a tachyarrhythmia heart rate to a normal rate. One such early implantable peripheral nerve stimulator, the Medtronic® Angistat carotid sinus nerve stimulator, operated by regulation ofthe patient's blood pressure through electrical stimulation ofthe carotid sinus nerve to initiate a reflex vagal activity which in turn effected a slowing in a patient's supraventricular tachycardia. Electrical stimulation ofthe left or right vagus nerve to directly achieve this result was also implemented in the Medtronic® Barostat vagal nerve stimulator. In U.S. Patent No. 5,330,515, a programmable, implantable vagal stimulator is described for stimulating afferent fibers for activating a descending anti-nociceptive pathway and thereby blocking incoming pain signals is described. A history of these stimulation systems and comparison to other pain control stimulation systems for various pain sources appears in the Λ 515 patent. The delivery of compensatory bradycardia pacing, if necessary to restore adequate cardia output, and other aspects of a combined nerve stimulator and pacemaker are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,330,507. In U.S. Patent No. 5,203,326, a combined antiarrhythmia pacemaker and nerve stimulator for stimulating selected autonomic nerves or ganglia in the patient's autonomic nervous system is also described. The above-referenced '278 patent application discloses a device which provides pulse bursts to the atrium, synchronized to detected atrial depolarizations, to stimulate the SA nodal fat pad and reduce the sinus rate of patients who suffer from angina. Systems of these types are not intended to cardiovert the heart nor do they have the effect of reducing pain attendant to the delivery ofa defibrillation shock. The alleviation of pain through the operation of implantable drug dispensers for automatically periodically delivering a bolus of a pain alleviating drug at a site in the body are also well known in the art. The Medtronic® SynchroMed" programmable implantable drug pump is implanted with a drug dispensing catheter for dispensing pain relieving or analgesic agent, e.g. analgesics, anesthetics, or spinal opiates, or for dispensing chemotherapy drugs or other agents to a specific body site. A combined catheter for delivering a pain relieving or analgesic agent and electrical lead for delivering electrical stimulation for treating various neurological disorders by simultaneous or sequential administration of either therapy is described, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,119,832. Such a combined lead and drug dispensing catheter is currently employed in the Medtronic® Verify" temporary screening system for determining the most efficacious therapy at a given delivery site. Returning to the treatment of atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythrnias, a number of systems have been proposed to combine the delivery of an appropriate antiarrhythmic drug therapy as an altemative or companion therapy with the delivery of an appropriate cardioversion therapy as described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,987,897, 5,087,243 and 5,269,301. In these systems, an implantable drug delivery system is combined with an implantable pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator, the system having a decision making control algorithm to govern the diagnosis ofthe arrhythmia, prioritize the therapies to be delivered, and deliver the therapies. It is hoped that the drug therapies can reduce the frequency ofthe need to deliver a defibrillation shock by either suppressing the tachyarrhythmia entirely or converting it to a lower rate or less chaotic tachyarrhythmia amenable to conversion by less aggressive high rate pacing therapies. In the event that a defibrillation shock is delivered to a conscious patient, the pain attendant to the shock is not alleviated by the delivered drug therapies. Nor does the delivery of an antiarrhythmic drug reduce the pain felt by the patient awakening from a ventricular defibrillation event. Despite these notable improvements in implantable medical device technology, a need exiss to reduce the pain and discomfort attendant to the intracardiac delivery of cardioversion shocks. REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Reference is hereby made to commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. Patent application Serial No. 08/086,278, for a METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF ANGINA, filed June 30, 1993, by Bardy and Serial No. 08/293,769 filed August 19, 1994 for ATRIAL DEFIBRILLATOR AND METHOD OF USE by Min et al. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object ofthe present invention to alleviate the pain attendant to the delivery ofa cardioversion shock to the atria or ventricles ofa patient's heart. The present invention therefore provides an implantable medical device and method of providing cardioversion electrical energy to at least one chamber of a patient's heart in need of cardioversion and applying a pain alleviating therapy at an appropriate site in the patient's body prior to or in conjunction with the delivery ofthe cardioversion energy to the heart chamber. The present invention further provides a method of providing cardioversion electrical energy to at least one chamber ofa patient's heart in need of cardioversion. The method and corresponding apparatus includes the steps of and means for detecting activity ofthe at least one chamber ofthe patient's heart, determining from the detected activity when the at least one chamber ofthe patient's heart is in need of cardioversion, applying a pain alleviating therapy to a site in the patient's body to alleviate the pain in body tissue arising from the delivery ofthe cardioversion energy, and applying the cardioversion energy to the at least one chamber ofthe patient's heart. Preferably, the application ofthe cardioversion energy to the at least one chamber of the patient's heart follows the delivery ofthe pain alleviating therapy by a time delay sufficient for the pain alleviating effect to take place. The present invention is preferably realized in a method of and apparatus for providing atrial cardioversion shocks to the atria ofa patient's heart in need of cardioversion wherein the application ofthe cardioversion shock to the atria follows the delivery ofthe pain alleviating therapy by time sufficient to allow the therapy to take effect. Delivery ofthe atrial cardioversion shock is preferably synchronized with the detection of a ventricular depolarization with re-confirmation after the delay that atrial fibrillation is still present. The patient is preferably warned ofthe imminent delivery ofthe cardioversion shock. In this regard, the delivery of spinal cord stimulation in itself provides a warning to the patient because it induces a perceptible parathesia that the patient may associate with the timing out ofthe delivery ofthe cardioversion therapy. An audio warning may also be provided with the delivery ofthe analgesic agent. The pain alleviating therapy for the associated cardioversion energy induced and propagated pain is preferably either an analgesic drug or electrical neurostimulation to one or more specific sites ofthe peripheral and central pain pathways prior to administering therapeutic cardioversion energy. The combined cardioversion and pain alleviating therapies are preferably realized in a single implantable, multi-programmable medical device or separate implantable cardioversion and pain control devices with means for communicating operating and status commands between the devices through the patient's body. Advantageously, the propagated pain induced by the delivery of cardioversion energy may be reduced, particularly in atrial cardioversion, to a level allowing greater patient comfort and acceptance ofthe cardioversion therapy, particularly atrial cardioversion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects, advantages and features ofthe present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments thereof, when considered in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate identical structures throughout the several views, and wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of an automatic atrial cardioversion and pain alleviating system ofthe present invention employing the delivery of a pain alleviating drug therapy; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration ofthe system ofthe first embodiment implanted in a patient; Figure 3 is a flow chart ofthe operation ofthe system of Figures 1 and 2 in the alleviation of pain induced by delivery of an atrial cardioversion shock; Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of a second embodiment of an automatic atrial cardioversion and pain alleviating system ofthe present invention employing the delivery of pain alleviating spinal cord stimulation therapy; Figure 5 is a schematic illustration ofthe system ofthe second embodiment implanted in a patient; Figure 6 is a flow chart ofthe operation ofthe system of Figures 4 and 5 in the alleviation of pain induced by delivery of an atrial cardioversion shock; Figure 7 is a modification ofthe systems ofthe first and second embodiments into a comprehensive pain alleviation fibrillation detection and cardioversion system; Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of an atrial and ventricular pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator and pain alleviation control circuit for use in the system of Figure 7 for alleviating pain induced by the delivery of an atrial and/or ventricular cardioversion shock; and Figure 9 is a further altemate embodiment ofthe system of Figures 1 or 7 for providing delivery of analgesic drugs directly to cardiac tissue. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION In a first embodiment ofthe invention, the therapeutic apparatus and implantation schema required for a totally integrated, permanently implanted, atrial cardioverter/drug delivery system 30 including a drug delivery catheter 116 and cardioversion lead system 34, 36 are illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Associated with the delivery of cardioversion shocks to the heart 10, patients experience intractable pain from activation of nociceptors located within the intima of cardiac vessels with afferent fibers projecting via the sympathetics to T1-T4. The infusion of various analgesic drugs or agents (or, simply "analgesics") including opiates (i.e. moφhine sulfate, hydromoφhone) and non-opiates (i.e. alpha-2 adrenergic agonists and neuron specific calcium channel blocking agents) have demonstrated rapid and effective analgesia following intrathecal administration to specific cord segments. As reported in the literature, the mechanism of action for these analgesics includes the blocking of projection from laminas I and II which receives input from myelinated Aδ and C nociceptors, respectively. Dependent upon the specific analgesic administered, it is also reported that the onset of pain suppression occurs in a few minutes to one hour, and the duration of analgesia may range from 4- 24 hours. The delay in analgesia onset is not problematic, since rapid cardioversion is not necessary for atrial fibrillation as opposed to ventricular fibrillation. Time to analgesia can be utilized by the system 30 to re-verify the continuation of atrial fibrillation, charge storage capacitors to deliver the cardioversion shock, and ensure ventricular sensing to allow cardioversion shock synchronization with the R-wave of the cardiac cycle. Referring now to Figure 1, it illustrates a fully implantable atrial cardioverter/drug delivery system 30 embodying the present invention shown in association with a schematically illustrated human heart 10 in need of atrial fibrillation monitoring and potential cardioversion ofthe atria 16, 18 and an exte al programmer 100. The atrial cardioverter/drug delivery system 30 is capable ofthe sequential intrathecal delivery ofa pain alleviating analgesic at therapeutic levels in the region of the T1-T4 segments ofthe spinal cord as shown in Figure 2 followed by delivery of atrial cardioversion electrical energy pulses or shocks of sufficient amplitude and duration to effectively cardiovert the heart 10 in atrial fibrillation. The portions ofthe heart 10 illustrated in Figure 1 are the right ventricle (RV) 12, the left ventricle 14, the right atrium (RA) 16, the left atrium 18, the SVC 20, the CS 21 including the CS ostium or opening 24, the left ventricular free wall 26 and the inferior vena cava 27. The system 30 generally includes an enclosure 32, for hermetically sealing the internal circuit elements, battery, telemetry antenna, and a reflllable drug reservoir or chamber, a bipolar RV lead 34, and a RA - CS lead 36. The enclosure 32 and leads 34 and 36 are arranged to be implanted beneath the skin of a patient so as to render the atrial cardioverter/drug delivery system 30 fully implantable. The RV lead 34 preferably comprises an endocardial bipolar lead having electrodes 38 and 40 arranged for establishing electrical contact with the right ventricle 12 ofthe heart 10. The electrodes 38 and 40 permit bipolar sensing of ventricular depolarizations or R-waves in the right ventricle 12. As illustrated, the lead 34 is preferably fed through the SVC 20, the right atrium 16, and then into the right ventricle 12 to lodge the electrodes 38, 40 in the apex thereof as illustrated. The RA - CS lead 36 generally includes a tip or CS cardioverting electrode 44 and a proximal ring or RA cardioverting electrode 46 as shown in the above- referenced '403 patent, for example. As illustrated, the RA - CS lead 36 is flexible and arranged to be passed down the superior vena cava 20, into the right atrium 16, into the coronary sinus ostium 24. The CS electrode 44 is advanced into the coronary sinus channel 21 ofthe heart near the left side thereof so that the first or tip electrode 44 is within the coronary sinus channel 21 either within the coronary sinus 22 adjacent the left ventricle 14 and beneath the left atrium 18 or most preferably within the great cardiac vein 23 adjacent the left ventricle 14 and beneath the left atrium 18. The electrodes 44 and 46 are spaced apart such that when the CS electrode 44 is positioned as described above, the RA electrode 46 is in the right atrium 16. The CS electrode 44 together with the RA electrode 46 provide bipolar sensing of heart activity in the atria 16 and 18. The CS electrode 44 and the RA electrode 46 also provide for the delivery of defibrillating electrical energy to the atria. Because the CS electrode 44 is located beneath the left atrium 18 near the left ventricle 14 and the RA electrode 46 is within the right atrium 16, the cardioverting electrical energy, when applied between these electrodes will be substantially confined to the atria 16 and 18 ofthe heart 10. As a result, the electrical energy applied to the right ventricle 12 and left ventricle 14 when the atria are cardioverted or defibrillated will be minimized. This greatly reduces the potential for ventricular fibrillation ofthe heart to be induced as a result ofthe application of cardioversion electrical energy ofthe atria ofthe heart. Further electrode systems and cardioversion pathways have been disclosed and are suitable for use in the practice ofthe present invention. One such atrial cardioversion electrode system is disclosed in the article "Safety and feasibility of transvenous cardioversion in atrial tachycardia", by Blanc et al., published in Cardiac Pacing, edited by Gomez, Futura Pub. Co., 1985, pp 1526-1529. This electrode system employs a single lead with electrodes located in the right atrium and in the pulmonary artery. Delivery of atrial cardioversion shocks between an RV electrode and a subcutaneous electrode is disclosed in the above-referenced '338 patent. Delivery of atrial defibrillation pulses between a coronary sinus electrode and a subcutaneous electrode is also disclosed in the above-referenced '430 patent. A further suitable atrial cardioversion electrode system is disclosed in the above-referenced " 769 application. The electrode system disclosed therein includes an RA SVC electrode (alone or optionally coupled to a subcutaneous electrode) and a CS electrode. The elongated RA/SVC electrode appears to provide atrial defibrillation thresholds in the range of about 1.0 Joule or less across a substantial portion ofthe patient population which represents a substantial improvement over the RA or SVC to CS/great vein electrode system employed in the above-referenced 03 patent. Any ofthe above atrial cardioversion electrode systems and associated atrial and/or ventricular leads may be used in the practice ofthe present invention. However, even an approximately 1.0 joule cardioversion shock can be painful to a substantial portion ofthe population, particularly since atrial fibrillation episodes repeat frequently, requiring frequent cardioversion. Within the enclosure 32, the system 30 includes a ventricular sense amplifier 50 coupled to the RV lead 34 to receive electrical signals in the ventricle across the bipolar electrode pair 38, 40 and an R-wave detector 52 to detect the R- waves therefrom. The ventricular sense amplifier 50 and the R-wave detector 52 form a first detecting means which senses R-waves in the electrogram transmitted to ventricular sense amplifier by the RV lead 34. The R-wave detector 52 is ofthe type well known in the art which provides an output pulse upon the occurrence of an R-wave being sensed during a cardiac cycle ofthe heart. The delivery ofthe atrial defibrillation shock or pulse is timed from the R-wave employing the ventricular timer 64 as described below. The lead and electrode systems in certain embodiments ofthe above-referenced ' 338, ' 403 and ' 430 patents and the '769 patent application include an RV defibrillation electrode positioned on an RV lead inserted into the right ventricle and a pair of ventricular sense electrodes. Altematively, in the atrial cardioversion system depicted in Figure 1, common ventricular pacing leads having bipolar screw-in ventricular electrodes of this type may be employed as pace/sense electrodes 38, 40. An atrial sense amplifier 54 is coupled to the RA - CS lead 36 to receive electrical signals or P-waves across the right atrium 16. The atrial sense amplifier 54 forms a second detecting means for detecting P-wave atrial activity ofthe heart picked up by the CS electrode 44 and RA electrode 46 ofthe RA - CS lead 36. The P-wave output signal ofthe atrial sense amplifier 54 is coupled to an analog to digital converter 60 which converts the analog signal representative ofthe atrial activity ofthe heart to digital samples for further processing to determine if atrial fibrillation is present and if the atrial cardioversion shock is effective in converting the atria to a normal atrial rate. The enclosure 32 ofthe atrial cardioverter/drug delivery system 30 further include a microcomputer 62 that is preferably implemented in a manner disclosed in the above-referenced ' 338 patent and further as described hereinafter with respect to the flow diagrams of Figures 3 and 6. The implementation ofthe microcomputer 62 in accordance with this embodiment ofthe present invention results in a plurality of functional stages and RAM/ROM 82 for storing operating algorithms and programmable parameters as well as accumulated operating data for subsequent telemetry out to the extemal programmer 100. The stages include the ventricular timer 64 for timing various intervals that recur in each QRST cycle as well as the R-wave synchronization time interval, an interval set stage 66 for selecting time intervals to be timed out in the ventricular timer 64, a delay timer 65 for timing out further delay times set in interval set stage 66 for the delivery ofthe pain alleviating therapy, an optional patient warning device 67 and warning set register 63, a cardioversion energy level set stage 69, an atrial fibrillation detector 70, a charge delivery control stage 72, an analgesic delivery control stage 112, and a computation stage 80. The microcomputer 62 is arranged to operate in conjunction with RAM/ROM memory 82 which may be coupled to the microcomputer 62 by a multi-bit address bus and a bi-directional multiple-bit data bus. This permits the microcomputer 62 to address desired memory locations within the memory for executing write or read operations. During a write operation, the microcomputer 62 stores data, such as time intervals or operating parameters in the memory 82 at the addresses defined by multiple-bit data bus. During a read operation, the microcomputer 62 obtains data from the memory at the storage locations identified by the multiple-bit addresses provided over the address bus and receives the data from the memory 82 over the bi¬ directional data bus. Data related to the detections of atrial fibrillation and the deliveries ofthe therapies may be recorded in the RAM memory 82 for interrogation and telemetry out to the extemal programmer 100 in a manner well known in the art. Detection of atrial fibrillation may be accomplished in atrial fibrillation detector 70, in conjunction with computation stage 80, of microcomputer 62 from the digitized P-waves detected by atrial sense amplifier 54 using any ofthe various atrial fibrillation detection methodologies known to the art. Generally, atrial fibrillation may be detected in response to an extended series of high rate (e.g. 240 b.p.m. or greater) atrial depolarizations or P-waves. If greater specificity for atrial fibrillation is desired, analysis of regularity of rate waveform morphology may also be employed. Termination of atrial fibrillation may be detected in response to a decrease in the rate of atrial depolarizations and/or an increase in their regularity. Appropriate detection methodologies are disclosed in the article "Automatic Tachycardia Recognition", by Arzbaecher et al., published in PACE, Vol. 7, May- June 1984, part II, pages 541-547 and in PCT Application No. US92/02829, Publication No. WO 92/18198 by Adams et al., both incoφorated herein by reference in their entireties. In the PCT application, careful synchronization ofthe high voltage atrial defibrillation pulse to the ventricles to avoid induction of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation is also discussed. In addition, in the context of devices which automatically detect the occurrence of atrial fibrillation, the patient may optionally be warned ofthe detection of atrial fibrillation to be ready for the delivery ofthe atrial cardioversion shock through operation ofthe warning device 67. In this variation of this embodiment ofthe invention, a warning may be provided to the patient ofthe diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and the commencement of delivery ofthe pain alleviation drug therapy. The warning may be effected in the manner described in the above-referenced ' 400 patent, but is preferably effected by energizing a piezoelectric crystal oscillator that oscillates at an audible frequency intense enough for the patient to hear it and take precautions, if necessary. The patient may also optionally be provided with a limited function programmer 100 for use in communicating a command to the microcomputer 62 to prevent delivery ofthe cardioversion shock until the patient feels the effects ofthe pain alleviation therapy, at which time the patient may employ the programmer 100 to enable delivery ofthe cardioversion shock, subject to re-verification ofthe presence of the atrial fibrillation. In this regard, the system 30 also includes the warning set register 63, the delay timer 65, and the warning device 67 that are utilized for generating the warning alarm for the patient when the atrial fibrillation detector 70 determines that the atria are in fibrillation. The warning device 67 may constitute an audible alarm sounding piezoelectric crystal oscillator for warning the patient that atrial fibrillation has been detected and that cardioverting electrical energy will be applied to the patient's atria. If a programmer 100 is provided, it may also optionally include a patient activated command signal to initiate the delivery ofthe pain alleviating and cardioversion therapies in response to symptomatic atrial fibrillation. In this context as well, the ability to use the programmer 100 to delay the delivery ofthe cardioversion pulse until the patient has felt the effects ofthe pain alleviating therapy is believed valuable. After the fibrillation detection warning is delivered to the patient, or after the patient requests cardioversion therapy by means ofthe programmer 100, register 63 is set to indicate that the patient has received the fibrillation detection warning or has requested therapy. Immediately thereafter, the delay timer 65 starts timing the warning delay period. The delay period defines a time interval from when the patient receives the waming or requests therapy to when the patient should first expect to receive the cardioverting electrical energy. The delay time is preferably programmable between one minute and twenty minutes to afford sufficient time to permit the pain alleviating therapy to take effect and for the patient to prepare for receiving the atrial cardioverting electrical energy. A second warning may optionally be given slightly before delivery ofthe cardioversion pulse, if desired. If the patient does not perceive the analgesic effect of the pain alleviating therapy during the waming delay, the patient may use the programmer 100 to reset the delay timer 65 to delay delivery ofthe cardioversion pulse until timer 65 expires. Altematively, the programmer may instead allow the patient to delay delivery ofthe pulse until the patient perceives the analgesic effect, and allow delivery ofthe cardioversion therapy only following a patient initiated enable signal to the implanted device indicating that therapy may be delivered. As yet another altemative, the programmer may be employed to simply abort the therapy during the warning delay, which may be especially useful if therapy was initially requested by the patient, and the patient's symptoms have subsided. A warning system as described above, including apparatus specifically dedicated to providing the warning may not be necessary if the patient can independently feel the analgesic take effect. As is noted below, the analgesia effect of intraspinal stimulation can be perceived almost immediately by the patient and effectively provides such a warning of impending delivery of a cardioversion shock Turning to the drug delivery system, it includes drug pump 110 which is operable to pump a programmed-in bolus ofthe pain alleviating drug from drug dispenser 114 through the drug delivery catheter 116 and into the region of spinal segments T1-T4 as shown in Figure 2 The drug chamber 114 is percutaneously reflllable through a septum 118 The drug delivery system components may take the form implemented in the Medtronic® SynchroMed" implantable drug dispenser The drug infusing catheter 116 may be a Medtronic® Model 8700 series catheter Timing of delivery and amount of drug delivered into the epidural space is programmed into the RAM/ROM 82 Turning now to Figure 3, it depicts a flow chart of an operation ofthe microcomputer 62 in accordance with the first embodiment ofthe invention At step SI 00, which continues at all times (except during the delivery of atrial cardioversion shock), atrial activity ofthe heart is sensed At step SI 02, the atrial fibrillation detection algorithm is invoked in atrial fibrillation detector 72 If it is detected, then in step SI 04, the drug delivery control 72 operates drug pump 110 to pump a programmed-in bolus ofthe pain alleviating drug from drug dispenser 114 through the drug delivery catheter 116 and into the region of spinal segments T1-T4 The charge delivery control 72 may be commanded to start charge up ofthe charge storage capacitors, but it is preferred to delay capacitor charge up until the end ofthe delay for the analgesic to take effect and commence capacitor charge up during the analgesic time course, that is the time period that the analgesia effect is expected to continue The optional warning steps are not included in the flow chart of Figure 3 The delay timer 65 is loaded and enabled to time out the delay for the analgesia effect to take place in steps SI 06 and SI 08 During this delay, the continuation ofthe atrial fibrillation episode may be verified in steps SI 00 and SI 02 and the algorithm may optionally be halted at that point However, since atrial fibrillation bouts reoccur and since the bolus of pain alleviating drug is already delivered, re-confirmation at the end ofthe delay times is sufficient to determine whether or not to deliver the cardioversion shock therapy When the delay timer 65 times out in step SI 08, the delay timer 65 is reset for the analgesic time course and is started in step SI 10. The atrial fibrillation detection is re- verified in step SI 12 during the analgesic time course. If it only re- verified after the analgesic time course times out, then it is necessary to repeat steps SI 04 - SI 14 until it is re-verified during an analgesic time course. Then, in step SI 16, the charge delivery control 72 is commanded to enable the storage capacitor charge circuit 74 to charge the high voltage output capacitors up to the cardioversion energy set in level stage 69. The microcomputer 62 then sets a synchronization time interval in interval set stage 66 from an R-wave detected by R- wave detector 52. The ventricular timer 64 then provides a blanking signal to the ventricular and atrial sense amplifiers 50 and 54. Both operations may be performed in step S 118. Re-verification of continued atrial fibrillation may also be performed between steps SI 16 and SI 18. At the expiration ofthe synchronization time interval in ventricular timer 64, a command is applied through the charge delivery control 72 to operate the discharge circuit 76 to discharge the atrial cardioversion shock between the RA electrode 46 and the CS electrode 44 (or between any other suitable set of electrodes). After the atrial cardioversion shock is delivered, the atrial and ventricular sense amplifiers are again enabled, and the presence or absence of atrial fibrillation is again tested in step SI 12. If the episode is terminated, then the algorithm loops back to step SI 00. If the episode is not terminated, the steps of Figure 3 may be repeated, but at a higher programmed cardioversion energy level set in cardioversion level setting stage 69. After a certain number of attempts, the available therapies may be exhausted. Whether or not the therapies are successful, the patient will likely have been advised to contact the attending physician. The event history ofthe episodes and delivered therapies are recorded in RAM 82 for subsequent telemetry out and analysis by the physician in a manner well known in the art in order to assist in re-programming therapies. Thus, the methodological sequence to provide the pain alleviating therapy to counter the pain induced by delivery of atrial cardioversion energy includes the initial detection of atrial fibrillation, optional warning to the patient, intraspinal drug infusion therapy to produce analgesia, time out to allow analgesia to take effect and the charge storage capacitors to be charged, re-verification of atrial fibrillation, delivery ofthe cardioversion energy, and verification that successful atrial defibrillation has taken place. Should successful atrial cardioversion not take place, the steps of Figure 3 would be re-initiated, except that analgesic drug delivery would not be repeated unless the analgesic time course time had timed out in order to prevent drug overdose. Depending on the analgesic employed, it may also be desirable to include a further timer to inhibit delivery ofa further analgesic bolus timed from the previous delivery for a further time delay to prevent drug overdose. Such a timer may take into account the cumulative amount of analgesic delivered over a set time period. In addition, it may be desirable to provide the patient with the option of using programmer 100 to temporarily program the delivery of an increased quantity of analgesic, if the desired analgesia effect is not achieved at the permanently programmed setting. A time and date record of such patient programmed increases may be kept in the system memory for review by the physician, and the repetitive use ofthe programmer may be inhibited. A second embodiment of this atrial cardioversion and intraspinal pain alleviation therapy system is comprised of replacing the analgesic delivery component ofthe system with a spinal cord stimulator to present the alternate or additional intraspinal therapy of electrical stimulation in the region of spinal segments T1-T4 to effectively block pain transmission. SCS has been used in recent years for the treatment of severe angina pectoris refractory to conventional medical and surgical therapy in coronary artery disease as described above. Therapeutic analgesia from SCS is accomplished by the inserting a stimulation lead epidurally under local anesthesia at spinal segment level T7-T8 and advancing the lead's electrodes in the midline or a few millimeters left of midline to, typically, spinal segments T1-T2. Such a procedure is reported by Harke, J. et. al., "Spinal-cord stimulation (SCS) for pain relief from intractable angina-pectoris", Anaesthetist 42:557-563, 1993. However, actual electrode position may vary between spinal segments T1-T4 in order to achieve a distribution of parathesia matching the region of radiation of angina pain. The stimulation pulse is approximately at 200 μsec, 80 Hz, at a voltage sufficient to produce the desired paraesthesia (typically 3.0V - 6.0V). The analgesia produced is immediate, allowing the subsequent atrial cardioversion shock to be administered following re- verification of atrial fibrillation. A system and schema of this second altemative embodiment is presented in Figures 4 and 5, operating in accordance with the flow chart of Figure 6. As an additional or altemative embodiment, neuro stimulation pulses might also possibly be applied between electrodes in the vicinity ofthe heart, for example between defibrillation electrodes mounted on or in the heart and/or subcutaneous electrodes such as the housing ofthe cardioverter. The atrial cardioverter/SCS delivery system 30' of Figure 4 includes many of the same components as the system 30 of Figure 1 with the substitution ofthe SCS components for the drug delivery components described above. Specifically, the SCS lead system 124 may be ofthe type described above and in the above-referenced ' 832 patent or in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Nos. 5,255,691 or 5,360,441. These leads and the Medtronic® Model 3487A or 3888 leads include a plurality, e.g. four spaced apart distal electrodes that are adapted to be placed in the epidural space adjacent to spinal segments Tl and T2 as depicted in the schema of Figure 5. The proximal end ofthe SCS lead system 124 is attached by a suitable connector block assembly to the SCS pulse generator 120 which is operated under the control ofthe SCS control stage of microcomputer 62. The methodological sequence for dual neural or SCS stimulation and cardiac stimulation involves initial detection and verification of atrial fibrillation, epidural neural stimulation to produce paraesthesia, re- verification of atrial fibrillation, delivery ofthe atrial cardioversion shock, verification of successful atrial defibrillation, and cessation ofthe epidural neural stimulation. Should the atrial cardioversion shock prove unsuccessful, the process is repeated until the programmed-in cardioversion therapies prove successful or are exhausted. When successful defibrillation is confirmed, the epidural SCS stimulation is halted, and the system 30' reverts under the control ofthe algorithm of Figure 6 to monitoring for the next atrial fibrillation episode. Thus, in Figure 6, the steps S200 - S214 parallel the steps S 100 - S 120 of Figure 3, except for the delay steps SI 06 - SI 10. At step S200, which continues at all times (except during the delivery of atrial cardioversion shock), atrial activity ofthe heart is sensed. At step S202, the atrial fibrillation detection algorithm is invoked in atrial fibrillation detector 72. If it is detected, then in step S204, the SCS control 122 is commanded to operate the SCS pulse generator 120 at programmed-in parameter values stored in RAM/ROM 82 to deliver SCS pulses through lead 124 to the epidural space in the region of spinal segments T1-T2. The charge delivery control 72 may then be commanded in step S206 to start charge up ofthe charge storage capacitors 74. After charge up is completed in step S208, the microcomputer 62 then sets a synchronization time interval in interval set stage 66 from an R-wave detected by R- wave detector 52. The ventricular timer 64 then provides a blanking signal to the ventricular and atrial sense amplifiers 50 and 54 and a command through the charge delivery control 72 to operate the discharge circuit 76 to discharge the atrial cardioversion shock between the RA electrode 46 and the CS electrode 44 (or between any other suitable set of electrodes). Both operations may be performed in step S212, after re-verification of continued atrial fibrillation in step S210. During re-verification of continued atrial fibrillation in step S210, delivery of neurostimulation pulses may be suspended to allow for optimal sensing of atrial electrical signals. After the atrial cardioversion shock is delivered in step S214, the atrial and ventricular sense amplifiers are again enabled, and the presence or absence of atrial fibrillation is again tested in step S208. If the episode is terminated, then the algorithm loops back to step S200. If the episode is not terminated, the steps of Figure 6 may be repeated, but at a higher programmed cardioversion energy level set in cardioversion level setting stage 69. After a certain number of attempts, the available therapies may be exhausted. Whether or not the therapies are successful, the patient will likely have been advised to contact the attending physician. The event history ofthe episodes and delivered therapies are recorded in RAM 82 for subsequent telemetry out and analysis by the physician in a manner well known in the art in order to assist in re-programming therapies. As described above, the system of Figure 4 is employed to deliver the intraspinal pain alleviation therapy of SCS with the stimulation electrodes placed as described above. The same pain alleviation therapy may be effected with electrodes placed in relation to afferent nerve fibers with appropriate programmed stimulation parameters and delivered in accordance with the flow chart of Figure 6. A third embodiment ofthe invention may employ the drug pump 110 for delivery ofa sleep inducing agent such as a hypnotic, a barbitute, or a sedative as an altemative to or in conjunction with delivery ofthe pain alleviating therapies discussed above. As set forth in U.S. Patent Application No. 08/434,899, for an "Atrial Defibrillator and Method of use, filed May 3, 1995 by Bardy, an altemative method of reducing pain associated with atrial cardioversion is to deliver the cardioversion shock while the patient is asleep, and thus a sleep inducing agent may serve as a pain alleviating therapy. In such an embodiment, it is presumed that delivery ofthe sleep inducing agent would be patient enabled by means ofthe programmer 100. For example, following detection of fibrillation by the implanted device and delivery ofthe fibrillation detection waming, or in conjunction with a patient request for cardioversion therapy, the patient may determine that delivery ofa sleep inducing agent would be desirable. In such case, the sleep inducing agent may be delivered using the apparatus disclosed herein either alone or in conjunction with neurostimulation, and delivery ofthe cardioversion shock delayed for a time period sufficient for the patient to become unconscious. In a more complex embodiment, two separate drug pumps might be employed to allow delivery ofthe sleep inducing agent alone or in conjunction with an analgesic. The sleep inducing agent may be delivered systemically, by means of catheter 116, (Fig. 1) located in a peripheral blood vessel. The detection warning, warning delay and the use ofthe programmer 100 to reset the delay timer 65 to delay delivery ofa cardioversion pulse as discussed above in conjunction with the delivery of an analgesic apply as well to an embodiment in which the pain alleviating therapy includes delivery ofa sleep inducing agent. In such case, expiration ofthe warning delay without resetting by the patient can be taken as evidence that the patient is asleep, allowing delivery ofthe drug If the sleep inducing agent is not taking effect during the delay interval, the patient might either employ the programmer 100 to reset the warning delay or cancel therapy delivery A fourth embodiment ofthe invention may employ the drug pump 110 for delivery of a cardioversion or defibrillation threshold reducing agent such as D-salotol, Procainamide or Quinidine as an altemative to or in conjunction with delivery ofthe pain alleviating therapies discussed above The reduction of defibrillation threshold in such case would provide the possibility ofa reduced amplitude, less painful cardioversion pulse The delivery of a threshold reducing agent thus can be employed as a pain alleviating therapy or as part ofa pain alleviating therapy In such case, the threshold reducing agent may be delivered using the apparatus disclosed herein either alone or in conjunction with neurostimulation In a more complex embodiment, two separate drug pumps might be employed to allow delivery ofthe threshold reducing agent alone or in conjunction with an analgesic The threshold reducing agent may be delivered systemically, by means of catheter 116, (Fig 1 ) located in a peripheral blood vessel or the pericardial sac or may be retroperfused from the distal coronary sinus The detection warning and warning delay as discussed above in conjunction with the delivery of an analgesic apply as well to an embodiment in which the pain alleviating therapy includes delivery of a threshold reducing agent, to the extent that a delay is necessary in order to allow the threshold reducing agent to take effect prior to deliver ofthe cardioversion shock The programmer 100 may still allow for the patient to cancel delivery ofthe cardioversion shock during the warning delay interval, but typically would not include the ability to reset the warning delay interval in the absence ofa concunently delivered analgesic In such case, expiration ofthe waming delay can be taken as evidence that the threshold reducing agent has taken effect, will trigger delivery of a cardioversion shock provided the fibrillation persists If an analgesic is delivered in conjunction with the threshold reducing agent, the ability ofthe patient to reset the delay interval until the analgesic effect is perceived would may still be valuable Turning now to a further aspect ofthe invention, the above-described embodiments may also be incoφorated into an exemplary combined atrial and ventricular cardioversion and pain alleviation system wherein the components ofa ventricular fibrillation detection and defibrillation system may be included in systems 30 or 30' to provide an extra margin of safety where there is a possibility that the delivery of atrial cardioversion energy may provoke ventricular fibrillation. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a modification ofthe system ofthe first and second embodiments to incoφorate ventricular defibrillation along with atrial cardioversion and the pain alleviation system ofthe present invention. Figure 7 schematically illustrates a pacemaker/ cardioverter/defibrillator and intraspinal (or other site) pain alleviating system 150, including a pulse generator 152 (containing the comprehensive circuit 300 of Figure 8) and a lead set, including a CS lead 130, an RA/SVC lead 140, and a ventricular lead 160. The system 150 also includes a pain alleviation electrical terminal and/or drug dispensing catheter port 170 for connection with an SCS stimulation lead 124 for providing epidural or other neural pain alleviating stimulation or an epidural drug dispensing catheter 116 for providing analgesics to the epidural space as described above, according to this further embodiment ofthe present invention. The intraspinal version of pain alleviating system 150 may include the drug delivery components ofthe system 30 or the SCS or other neural stimulation components of system 30' or both. The pain alleviation components are described generally below in reference to the comprehensive circuit 300 of Figure 8 as the pain alleviation timing and control circuit 270 and pain alleviating device 272. As described further below, the system of Figures 7 and 8 may be configured such that the pain alleviation timing and control circuit 270 and pain alleviating device 272 may comprise both forms of intraspinal analgesic and SCS pain alleviation therapies. The combined epidural catheter and nerve stimulation lead disclosed in the above-referenced '832 patent (incoφorated herein by reference in its entirety) may be employed for the intraspinal delivery of both intraspinal analgesic and SCS pain alleviation therapies. The ventricular lead 160 may take the form ofthe ventricular leads disclosed in the above-referenced '338 and '430 patents and includes three coaxial, coiled wire conductors separated from one another by tubular insulating sheaths. A ring electrode 164 and an extendable helix tip electrode 166, mounted retractably within an insulating electrode head 168, are located adjacent the distal end ofthe lead 160 and form a ventricular pace/sense, bipolar electrode pair. An elongated, exposed coil, cardioversion electrode 162 is located proximally to electrode head 168 and within the right ventricle. The RV electrode 162 may be fabricated from platinum, platinum alloy or other materials known to be usable in implantable defibrillation electrodes and may be about 5.0 cm in length. Electrodes 164 and 166 are employed for ventricular cardiac pacing and for sensing ventricular depolarizations or R-waves as described above. Each ofthe electrodes 162, 164, and 166 is coupled to one ofthe coiled conductors within the ventricular lead 160 which are coupled to three respective electrical connectors in a proximal end, bifurcated connector 158 which is in turn attached to receptacles in a connector block 154. The RA/SVC lead 140 is constructed in a similar manner and includes a J- shaped distal end with a ring electrode 146 and an extendable helix electrode 148, mounted retractably within an insulating electrode head 144, forming an atrial pace/sense, bipolar electrode pair. Each ofthe electrodes 146 and 148 are coupled to one ofthe coiled conductors within the body ofthe RA/SVC lead 140 and are employed for atrial pacing and for sensing atrial depolarizations. An elongated, exposed coil atrial cardioversion electrode 142 is also provided, proximal to electrode 146 and coupled to the third conductor within the body of RA/SVC lead 144. Electrode 142 preferably may be about 10.0 cm in length or greater and is configured to extend from the SVC into the RA and toward the tricuspid valve. A bifurcated connector 138 which carries three electrical connectors, each coupled to one ofthe coiled conductors, is formed at the proximal end ofthe RA/SVC lead 140 for connection into receptacles of connector block 154. The CS lead 130 takes the form ofthe coronary sinus lead disclosed in the above-referenced '430 patent, and includes a single coiled wire conductor, coupled to an elongated, exposed coil defibrillation electrode 132. Electrode 132, illustrated in broken outline, is located within the coronary sinus and great vein ofthe heart 10 and may be about 5.0 cm long. A connector 128 is coupled to the coiled conductor ofthe CS lead 130 and inserted into a further receptacle ofthe connector 154. The system 150 includes the pulse generator 152 in combination with the leads, with the lead connector assemblies 128, 138, 158 inserted into the connector block 154. Optionally, insulation ofthe outward facing portion ofthe housing ofthe pulse generator 152 may be provided using a plastic coating, for example parylene or silicone rubber, as is currently employed in some unipolar cardiac pacemakers. However, the inward facing portion may instead be left uninsulated, or some other division between insulated and uninsulated portions may be employed, to be used as a subcutaneous cardioversion/ defibrillation electrode alone or in combination with one or more ofthe lead bearing cardioversion/defibrillation electrodes to cardiovert or defibrillate either the atria or ventricles. It should be noted that the leads and electrode systems as described to this point in regard to Figure 7 are comprehensive of atrial and ventricular electrode systems and cardioversion/defibrillation pathways that may be combined or separated depending on whether atrial or ventricular cardioversion/defibrillation therapy is undertaken in conjunction with a pain alleviating therapy in accordance with the present invention. As noted in the above-referenced ' 769 application, the addition of the ventricular lead 160 and RV electrode 162 provides a further pathway for atrial defibrillation as well as a ventricular defibrillation pathway. In the former case, atrial cardioversion energy may be delivered between the RA/SVC electrode 142 (alone or optionally coupled with a subcutaneous electrode, e.g. pulse generator housing electrode 156) and the combination ofthe RV electrode 162 and the CS electrode 132. In the latter case, particularly efficient ventricular cardioversion/ defibrillation may be effected in a pathway between the RV electrode 162 and a distributed electrode formed by electrically connecting the CS electrode 132 in common with the RA/SVC electrode 23. Figure 8 is a functional schematic block diagram of an implantable, comprehensive atrial and/or ventricular pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator and pain alleviating circuit 300 in which the present invention may usefully be practiced. This circuit diagram should be taken as exemplary ofthe type of system in which the invention may be embodied, and not as limiting, as it is believed that the invention may usefully be practiced in a wide variety of device implementations, including atrial and ventricular only cardioverter/defibrillators which may or may not provide anti- tachycardia and bradycardia pacing therapies With this understanding in mind, the most comprehensive circuit 300 of Figure 8 will be described in conjunction with the lead system of Figure 7 The circuit 300 is provided with a terminals in the receptacles of connector block 154 for making electrical connection with the lead connectors 128, 138 and 158 and is also provided with the electrical terminal or catheter port 170 in connector block 154 With respect to the terminals 310, 311 , 318 and 320, terminal 310 is optionally coupled to the uninsulated housing electrode 156 Terminal 320 is attached to RV lead connector 158, and specifically makes connection with the RV electrode 162 Terminal 311 is adapted to make electrical connection with RA/SVC cardioversion electrode 142 through lead connector 138 and RA/SVC lead 140 Terminal 318 is adapted to make electrical connection with CS cardioversion electrode 132 through lead connector 128 and CS lead 130 Terminals 310, 311, 318 and 320 are coupled to high voltage output circuit 234 which includes high voltage switches controlled by cardioversion/defibrillation control logic 230 via control bus 238 The switches within circuit 234 control which cardioversion electrode sets are employed and which are coupled to the positive and negative terminals ofthe high voltage output capacitor bank including capacitors 246 and 248 during delivery ofthe cardioversion shocks With respect to the terminals 317, 321, 324 and 326, terminals 324 and 326 are adapted to make electrical connection through connector 158 of RA lead 160 with the ventricular pace/sense electrode pair 164, 166 Terminals 324 and 326 are coupled to the R-wave sense amplifier 200, which preferably takes the form of an automatic gain controlled amplifier providing an adjustable sensing threshold as a function ofthe measured R-wave amplitude A V- SENSE signal is generated on R-out line 202 whenever the signal sensed between electrodes 612 and 614 exceeds the present sensing threshold Terminals 317 and 321 are adapted to make electrical connection through connector 138 of RA/SVC lead 140 with the atrial pace/sense electrode pair 146, 148. Terminals 317 and 321 are coupled to the P-wave sense amplifier 204, which preferably also takes the form of an automatic gain controlled amplifier providing an adjustable sensing threshold as a function ofthe measured P-wave amplitude. An A- SENSE signal is generated on P-out line 206 whenever the signal sensed between terminals 317 and 321 exceeds the present sensing threshold. Switch matrix 208 is used to select which ofthe available terminals are coupled to wide band (0.5-200 Hz) amplifier 210 for use in digital signal analysis. Selection of electrodes is controlled by the microprocessor 224 via data/address bus 218, which selections may be varied as programmed-in through RF transmitter receiver 102 and stored in RAM 226. Signals from the electrodes selected for coupling to bandpass amplifier 210 are provided to multiplexer 220, and thereafter converted to multi-bit digital signals by A/D converter 222, for storage in RAM 226 under control of direct memory access circuit 228. Microprocessor 224 may employ digital signal analysis techniques to characterize the digitized signals stored in random access memory 226 to recognize and classify the patient's heart rhythm employing any ofthe numerous signal processing methodologies known to the art. The pacer timing/control circuit 212 includes programmable digital counters which control the basic time intervals associated with DDD, WI, DVI, VDD, AAl, DDI and other modes of single and dual chamber pacing well known to the art. Circuit 212 also controls escape intervals associated with anti-tachyanhythmia pacing in both the atrium and the ventricle, employing any anti-tachyanhythmia pacing therapies known to the art. Intervals defined by pacing circuit 212 include atrial and ventricular pacing escape intervals, the refractory periods during which sensed P-waves and R-waves are ineffective to restart timing ofthe escape intervals and the pulse widths ofthe pacing pulses. The durations of these intervals are determined by microprocessor 226, in response to stored data in RAM 226 and are communicated to the pacing circuit 212 via address/data bus 218. Pacer circuit 212 also determines the amplitude ofthe cardiac pacing pulses under control of microprocessor 224. During pacing, the escape interval counters within pacer timing/control circuit 212 are reset upon sensing of R- waves and P-waves as indicated by signals on lines 202 and 206, and in accordance with the selected mode of pacing on timeout trigger generation of pacing pulses by pacer output circuit 214 and 216, which are coupled to terminals 317, 321, 324 and 326. The escape interval counters are also reset on generation of pacing pulses, and thereby control the basic timing of cardiac pacing functions, including anti- tachyanhythmia pacing. The durations ofthe intervals defined by the escape interval timers are determined by microprocessor 224, via data/address bus 218. The value of the count present in the escape interval counters when reset by sensed R-waves and P- waves may be used to measure the durations of R-R intervals, P-P intervals, P-R intervals and R-P intervals, which measurements are stored in memory 226 and used to detect the presence of tachyarrhythmias. Microprocessor 224 operates as an interrupt driven device, and is responsive to interrupts from pacer timing/control circuit 212 corresponding to the occurrence sensed P-waves and R-waves and corresponding to the generation of cardiac pacing pulses. These interrupts are provided via data/address bus 218. Any necessary mathematical calculations to be performed by microprocessor 224 and any updating of the values or intervals controlled by pacer timing/control circuit 212 take place following such interrupts. For example, in response to a sensed or paced ventricular depolarization or R- wave, the intervals separating that R-wave from the immediately preceding R-wave, paced or sensed (R-R interval) and the interval separating the paced or sensed R-wave from the preceding atrial depolarization, paced or sensed (P-R interval) may be stored. Similarly, in response to the occunence ofa sensed or paced atrial depolarization (P- wave), the intervals separating the sensed P-wave from the immediately preceding paced of sensed atrial contraction (P-P Interval) and the interval separating the sensed P-wave from the immediately preceding sensed or paced ventricular depolarization (R- P interval) may be stored. Preferably, a portion ofthe RAM 226 is configured as a plurality of recirculating buffers, capable of holding a preceding series of measured intervals, which may be analyzed in response to the occunence of a pace or sense interrupt to determine whether the patient's heart is presently exhibiting atrial or ventricular tachyarrhythmia Detection of atrial or ventricular tachyanhythmias, as employed in the present invention, may correspond to tachyanhythmia detection algorithms known to the art For example, presence of atrial or ventricular tachyanhythmia may be confirmed by means of detection ofa sustained series of short R-R or P-P intervals of an average rate indicative of tachyanhythmia or an unbroken series of short R-R or P-P intervals The suddenness of onset ofthe detected high rates, the stability ofthe high rates, or a number of other factors known to the art may also be measured at this time Appropriate ventricular tachyarrhythmia detection methodologies measuring such factors are described in U S Patent Nos 4,726,380, 4,880,005, and U S Patent No 4,830,006, all incoφorated herein by reference in their entireties An additional set of tachycardia recognition methodologies is disclosed in the article "Onset and Stability for Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia Detection in an Implantable Pacer-Cardioverter- Defibrillator" by Olson et al , published in Computers in Cardiology, October 7-10, 1986, LEEE Computer Society Press, pages 167-170, also incoφorated herein in its entirety However, one ofthe advantages ofthe present invention is that it is believed practicable in conjunction with most prior art tachycardia detection algorithms In the event that an atrial or ventricular tachyanhythmia is detected, and an anti-tachyanhythmia pacing regimen is desired, appropriate timing intervals for controlling generation of anti-tachyanhythmia pacing therapies are loaded from microprocessor 224 into the pacer timing and control circuit 212, to control the operation ofthe escape interval counters therein and to define refractory periods during which detection of R-waves and P-waves is ineffective to restart the escape interval counters In the event that generation ofa cardioversion or defibrillation shock is required, microprocessor 224 employs an escape interval counter to control timing of such cardioversion and defibrillation pulses, as well as associated refractory periods In response to the detection of atrial or ventricular fibrillation or tachyanhythmia requiring a cardioversion pulse, microprocessor 224 activates cardioversion/defibrillation control circuit 230, which initiates charging ofthe high voltage capacitors 246 and 248 via charging circuit 236, under control of high voltage charging control lines 240 and 242 The voltage on the high voltage capacitors is monitored via VCAP line 244, which is passed through multiplexer 220 and in response to reaching a predetermined value set by microprocessor 224, results in generation of a logic signal on Cap Full (CF) line 254, terminating charging Thereafter, timing ofthe delivery ofthe defibrillation or cardioversion pulse is controlled by pacer timing/control circuit 212 Following delivery ofthe fibrillation or tachycardia therapy the microprocessor then returns the device to cardiac pacing and awaits the next successive interrupt due to pacing or the occurrence of a sensed atrial or ventricular depolarization In the illustrated device, delivery ofthe atrial and/or ventricular cardioversion or defibrillation pulses is accomplished by output circuit 234, under control of control circuit 230 via control bus 238 Output circuit 234 determines whether a monophasic or biphasic pulse is delivered, the polarity ofthe electrodes and which electrodes are involved in delivery ofthe pulse Output circuit 234 also includes high voltage switches which control whether electrodes are coupled together during delivery ofthe pulse Altematively, electrodes intended to be coupled together during the pulse may simply be permanently coupled to one another, either exterior to or interior ofthe device housing, and polarity may similarly be pre-set, as in cunent implantable defibrillators An example of output circuits for delivery of biphasic pulse regimens to multiple electrode systems may be found in the above U S Patent Nos 4,727,877 and 4,953,551 incoφorated by reference in their entireties A specific switching circuit and explanation ofthe possible electrode combinations and benefits of such combinations is set forth in the above-referenced '769 application For puφoses of implementing the present invention, Figures 7 and 8 illustrate comprehensively the components that may be selectively employed in one variation to provide atrial cardioversion with ventricular cardioversion back-up if the atrial cardioversion energy were to induce ventricular fibrillation In addition, the implementation ofthe present invention in a ventricular cardioverter/defibrillator is also possible through use ofthe components ofthe system of Figures 7 and 8 In the event that atrial or ventricular fibrillation is identified, the typical therapy will be delivery ofa high amplitude defibrillation pulse, typically in excess of 10.0 joules in the case of ventricular fibrillation and about 1.0 joule or less in the case of atrial defibrillation. Lower energy levels will be employed for synchronized cardioversion to convert a high rate tachycardia. As in the case of currently available implantable pacemakers/ cardioverter/defibrillators, and as discussed in the above-cited references, it is envisioned that the amplitude ofthe defibrillation pulse may be incremented in response to failure of an initial pulse or pulses to terminate fibrillation. Although the present invention has primary application to alleviating the pain attendant to atrial cardioversion, the above-described embodiments ofthe invention may have further utility in alleviating post-delivery pain felt by a patient on awakening after delivery ofa ventricular cardioversion shock. In this regard, it will be understood that the pain alleviating components may be incorporated into a ventricular pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator of a type well known in the art not having the atrial cardioversion components and leads described above. Returning to Figure 8, the delivery ofthe pain alleviating therapy in anticipation of delivery of an atrial cardioversion shock therapy is accomplished by the microprocessor 224 operating the pain alleviation timing and control circuit 250. The pain alleviation timing and control circuit 250 is operable upon receiving the instruction from the microprocessor 224 to commence the pain alleviation therapy for the time period set in the instruction. In the case of atrial cardioversion and pain alleviating drug therapy, the flow chart of Figure 3 may be followed. Similarly, the flow chart of Figure 6 may be followed to control the timing and delivery of neural or SCS stimulation prior to and during delivery ofthe atrial cardioversion energy. With respect to ventricular cardioversion/ defibrillation, the ventricular shock must be delivered to the heart as soon as the output capacitors 246, 248 are charged to the programmed-in energy level and with or without synchronization to the R-wave. Consequently, there may not be time to deliver analgesic therapy and to wait for it to take affect. Therefore, the use of SCS or neural stimulation may be prefened for alleviating the pain and discomfort of ventricular cardioversion/ defibrillation Altemative pain alleviation drug delivery therapies to those described above may include the intraatrial and/or intraventricular delivery of analgesics to counter the propagated pain attendant to the delivery of atrial cardioversion energy The delivery ofthe analgesics directly into the atrium and/or ventricle may be effected through a lumen ofthe respective leads Delivery of analgesics directly into the coronary sinus through a lumen ofthe RA - CS lead 36 could prove beneficial since the venous blood flow would be back toward the CS ostium 24 and right atrium at a relatively slow rate Another altemative would be to deliver the analgesic bolus into the region ofthe nerve afferents from the heart which would provide coverage for all cardiac pain receptors One preferred altemative is to deliver the analgesic into the pericardial sac surrounding the epicardium so that the analgesia effect on cardiac muscle will be distributed about the heart This altemative may be realized in the drug delivery embodiment ofthe dual chamber, multiprogrammable pacemaker/cardioverter/ defibrillator system of Figures 7 and 8 or in the single chamber atrial cardioverter/defibrillator system of Figures 1 and 3 In the former case, a drug delivery catheter may be attached to catheter port 170 and its distal end routed through the pericardial sac In the latter case, the drug delivery catheter 116 from drug chamber 114 may be routed through the pericardial sac Any ofthe cardioversion/defibrillation electrode systems described above may be employed in these systems In still another variation, the delivery ofthe analgesic may be effected through at least one combined epicardial drug delivery and defibrillation electrode patch 312 affixed to the epicardium of heart 10 through an opening in the pericardial sac as shown in Figure 9 In this altemative, the electrode array 314 is substituted for the RV electrode 162 of Figure 7 and is attached intemally to one ofthe terminals 310 or 320 of Figure 8 through catheter port 170 The combined pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator and drug dispenser 152 includes an intemal drug receiving chamber that is accessed for percutaneous refilling through a septum 118 and a drug pump as described above with respect to Figure 1 The patch 312 may be constructed with exposed electrically conductive cardioversion/defibrillation electrode 314 formed of mesh as described in the above- referenced ' 243 patent (incoφorated herein by reference in its entirety) or formed with a distributed pattem of exposed coiled wire turns in a manner well known in the art. In either case, a chamber for receiving and distributing analgesic within the pericardial sac and over the epicardial surface ofthe heart 10 is formed within the insulating backing support pad 316 for the cardioversion/defibrillation electrode 314 in the manner described in the above-incorporated '243 patent. The backing support pad 316 has a permeable outer layer through which the analgesic permeates and is distributed. The analgesic may also be distributed through or alongside the cardioversion/defibrillation electrode 314. As illustrated in Figure 9, the analgesic is dispensed by the intemal drug pump through the port 170 and connector 330, a lumen of lead body 340, and an inlet into the interior chamber ofthe patch 312. Ventricular cardioversion/defibrillation energy may be delivered between the cardioversion/defibrillation electrode 314 and the S VC/RA electrode 142 and the C S electrode 132. In a still further embodiment ofthe system of Figure 9, the analgesic may be modified to allow it to be iontophoretically delivered into the myocardium by a low electrical energy applied to the electrode 314 in a manner described in the '243 patent. The iontophoretic delivery results in distributing the analgesic into the cardiac arterial system for circulation within the myocardium. In this embodiment, the system may include more than one cardioversion/defibrillation electrode and drug delivery patch. It should also be noted that in each ofthe above-described embodiments of Figures 1-8, the pain alleviating therapy components and the lead 124 and/or catheter 116 may be implemented into separate implantable medical devices that communicate with respect to the delivery of cardioversion therapies and pain alleviation therapies. It would be difficult at present to physically combine the drug chamber 114, septum 118, and drug pump 110 into a single housing for the system 30 or comprehensive circuit 300 with the components of an atrial cardioverter or an atrial-ventricular cardioverter or a pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator and also provide a suitable catheter port 170. It would be simpler to combine the SCS pulse generator 120 with the comprehensive circuit 300 of system 150, since additional space would only have to be provided for the additional electrical connector. Consequently, the "Body Bus" system ofthe above-referenced '897 patent may be employed to communicate commands and status reports between a separately contained drug dispensing medical device or neural stimulation device and a pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator or a simpler cardioverter/defibrillator. In such a case, it would be expected that the dual chamber, multiprogrammable, pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator or the single chamber sub-system thereof would be provide the operating commands to the separate drug dispensing or neural stimulation devices The external programmer 100 in all ofthe above described embodiments includes a telemetry transceiver and antenna for a two way telemetry link with the antenna 106 of RF transmitter/receiver 102. Operating modes and parameters may be programmed into or read out of RAM/ROM 82 through operation ofthe telemetry link in a manner well known in the art. In this manner, the drug dosage and time intervals or the SCS stimulation therapies described above may be programmed in. Data relating to the detection of atrial fibrillation episodes and the delivery ofthe drug therapy and cardioversion shocks may also be stored in RAM/ROM 82 for telemetry out on command ofthe extemal programmer 100 in a manner well known in the art. Variations and modifications to the present invention may be possible given the above disclosure. Although the present invention is described in conjunction with a microprocessor-based architecture, it will be understood that it could be implemented in other technology such as digital logic-based, custom integrated circuit (IC) architecture, if desired. While there has been shown what are considered to be the prefened embodiments ofthe invention, it will be manifest that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential spirit ofthe invention. It is intended, therefore, in the following claims to cover all such changes and modifications as may fall within the true scope ofthe invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An implantable medical device system for delivering cardioversion energy to at least one chamber of a patient's heart in need of cardioversion and for alleviating pain attendant to delivery of cardioversion energy comprising: detecting means for detecting activity ofa chamber ofthe patient's heart; determining means responsive to the detecting means for determining when the chamber ofthe patient's heart is in need of cardioversion; cardioverting means responsive to the determining means for delivering cardioversion energy to the chamber ofthe patient's heart when the chamber is in need of cardioversion; and means for applying a pain alleviating therapy at an appropriate site in the patient's body in conjunction with delivery of cardioversion energy to the heart chamber to reduce pain felt by the patient during delivery ofthe cardioversion energy. 2. An implatable device according to Claim 1, further comprising: means for timing delivery of cardioversion energy from the application ofthe pain alleviating therapy to allow time dependent effects ofthe applied pain alleviating therapy to take effect. 3. An implatable device according to Claim 2 wherein the pain alleviating therapy applying means comprises means for delivering a bolus of an analgesic to the patient's body to effect analgesia. 4. An implatable device according to Claim 3 wherein the pain alleviating therapy applying means comprises means for delivering the analgesic to the patient in the region of spinal segments Tl through T4. 5. An implatable device according to Claim 2 wherein the pain alleviating therapy applying means comprises means for delivering neurostimulation pulses to the patient's nervous system to effect analgesia. 6. An implatable device according to Claim 5 wherein the pain alleviating therapy applying means comprises means for delivering neurostimulation pulses to the patient in the region of spinal segments Tl through T4. 7 An implatable device according to Claim 1 wherein the pain alleviating therapy applying means comprises means for delivering a bolus of an analgesic to the patient's body to effect analgesia 8 An implatable device according to Claim 7 wherein the pain alleviating therapy applying means comprises means for delivering the analgesic to the patient in the region of spinal segments Tl through T4 9 An implatable device according to Claim 7 wherein the pain alleviating therapy applying means comprises means for delivering the analgesic to the patient's heart 10 An implatable device according to Claim 7 wherein said cardioverting means further comprises at least one cardioverting lead having a cardioverting electrode placed in contact with the patient's heart, and said pain alleviating therapy applying means comprises means for delivering the analgesic to the patient's heart through the cardioverting electrode 11 An implatable device according to Claim 7 wherein the pain alleviating therapy applying means further comprises means for delivering neurostimulation pulses to a pain pathway ofthe patient's nervous system to effect analgesia 12 An implatable device according to Claim 11 wherein the pain alleviating therapy applying means comprises means for delivering neurostimulation pulses to the patient in the region of spinal segments Tl through T4 13 An implatable device according to Claim 7 wherein the pain alleviating therapy applying means further comprises means for delivering neurostimulation pulses to a pain pathway ofthe patient's nervous system to effect analgesia 14 An implantable device according to Claim 13 wherein the pain alleviating therapy applying means comprises means for delivering neurostimulation pulses to the patient in the region of spinal segments Tl through T4 15 An implantable device according to any of Claims 1 - 14, wherein said detecting means comprises detecting means for detecting electrical activity ofthe atria ofthe patient's heart, said determining means comprises means responsive to the detecting means for determining when the atria are in need of cardioversion, and said cardioversion meams comprises atrial cardioversion means for delivering atrial cardioversion shocks to the patient's atria 16 An implantable device according to Claim 15 further comprising means for detecting a depolarization ofthe ventricles ofthe patient's heart; means for timing a synchronization period from the detection of a ventricular depolarization, means for delivering the atrial cardioversion shock in the synchronization period 17 An implantable device according to Claims 1 wherein the pain alleviating therapy applying means comprises means for delivering a threshold reducing agent to the patient to allow reduction ofthe cardioversion energy delivered to the patient 18 An implantable device according to Claim 17 further comprising means for delaying delivery of cardioversion energy from the application ofthe threshold reducing agent to allow for reduction in the cardioversion threshold ofthe patient prior to delivery ofthe cardioversion energy 19 An implantable device according to Claim 1 wherein the pain alleviating therapy applying means comprises means for delivering a sleep inducing agent to the patient to render the patient unconscious during delivery ofthe cardioversion energy 20 An implantable device according to Claim 19 further comprising means for delaying delivery of delaying delivery ofthe cardioversion energy from the delivery ofthe sleep inducing agent to allow the patient to become unconscious prior to delivery ofthe cardioversion energy 21 An implantable device according to Claim 2 or Claim 18 or Claim 20 further comprising' re- verification means for re- verifying the continuation ofthe determination of the need for cadrioversion at the end ofthe delay time period

Inventors: ELSBERRY DENNIS D, OTTEN LYNN M, RAHUL MEHRA, RISE MARK T, THOMPSON DAVID L, ELSBERRY, DENNIS, D., OTTEN, LYNN, M., RAHUL, MEHRA, RISE, MARK, T., THOMPSON, DAVID, L.
Applicants: MEDTRONIC INC, MEDTRONIC, INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A61N1
IPC codes: A61N1