Patent ID: 7991467

Claim:
A system for automatic arrhythmia therapy delivery to a patient, comprising: a subcutaneous, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (SubQ ICD) device adapted to be implanted outside the thoracic cavity, the SubQ ICD being capable of detecting cardiac events indicative of an arrhythmia and delivering a shock therapy; an implantable pulse generator (IPG) device having leads adapted for connection to a patient's heart, the IPG device being capable of detecting cardiac events indicative of an arrhythmia and delivering a pacing therapy; means for establishing bi-directional communication between the Sub Q ICD device and the IPG device configured to transmit data upon detection by either device of a cardiac event indicative of an arrhythmia; means for obtaining a confirmation of an existence of cardiac events indicative of an arrhythmia by comparing a cardiac event indication of the SubQ ICD with a cardiac event indication of the IPG device; and means for commanding delivery of a therapy upon detection of a cardiac event indicative of an arrhythmia based on the data transmitted via the bi-directional communication and a specific capability of each of the SubQ ICD device and the IPG device, wherein, in response to detection of a cardiac event indicative of an arrhythmia and obtaining the confirmation, the IPG is commanded to deliver a pacing therapy and in response to continued detection of a cardiac event indicative of an arrhythmia the SubQ ICD is commanded to deliver a shock therapy.