Patent ID: 6934587

Claim:
In an implantable stimulation device, a method for performing an atrial capture verification test, the method comprising: monitoring patient activity; detecting a rest condition based on the patient activity; upon detection of a rest condition; sensing intrinsic P-waves and measuring an intrinsic P—P interval; and defining an intrinsic P-wave detection window based on the measured P—P interval, and triggering the atrial stimulation pulse prior to the intrinsic p-wave detection window such that non-capture is defined when a P-wave is sensed during the intrinsic P-wave detection window and capture is defined when a P-wave is not sensed during the intrinsic P-wave detection window; stimulating the heart at a predetermined time prior to the intrinsic P-wave detection window; and determining that atrial capture exists based on an absence of a sensed P-wave in the intrinsic P-wave detection window; wherein defining further comprises adjusting the stimulation rate so that intrinsic P-waves occur, determining an average intrinsic P—P interval, and defining the detection window based on a range about the average intrinsic P—P interval.