Patent ID: 8818510

Claim:
A method of controlling an inter-pulse interval for delivering paired or coupled pacing to a heart, said method comprising: a) delivering a coupled/paired stimulus pulse to the heart at an inter-pulse interval, in connection with pulseless electrical activation (PEA), following one of i) detection of an intrinsic depolarization or ii) delivery of a primary stimulus pulse, wherein the primary stimulus pulse is sufficient to capture cardiac tissue; b) sensing for capture resulting from the coupled/paired stimulus pulse; c) in response to capture by a coupled/paired stimulus pulse, decrementing the inter-pulse interval by a first amount until there is no capture by a coupled/paired stimulus pulse, wherein the inter-pulse interval is set to prolong depolarization without inducing a separate contraction; and d) in response to no capture by a coupled/paired stimulus pulse, incrementing the inter-pulse interval by a second amount greater than the first amount, until capture by a coupled/paired stimulus pulse is again detected.