Patent ID: 8321018

Claim:
For use with an implantable system, a method for reducing occurrences of atrial arrhythmias, the method comprising: (a) obtaining measures indicative of atrial pressure of a patient; (b) monitoring for a change in the measures indicative of atrial pressure that is indicative of an increased vulnerability to an atrial arrhythmia wherein monitoring comprises monitoring atrial stretch based on the measures indicative of atrial pressure of the patient and detecting the increased vulnerability to an atrial arrhythmia when the monitored atrial stretch exceeds a corresponding threshold, or a change in the monitored atrial stretch exceeds a corresponding threshold; and (c) in response to detecting the change in the measures indicative of atrial pressure that is indicative of the increased vulnerability to an atrial arrhythmia, selectively delivering pacing therapy that is adapted to reduce atrial pressure and thereby reduce vulnerability to an atrial arrhythmia, and/or adjusting pacing therapy to reduce atrial pressure and thereby reduce vulnerability to an atrial arrhythmia.