Patent ID: 7450988

Claim:
A method for minimizing post-infarct ventricular remodeling in a patient, comprising: delivering pacing pulses to one or more sites in proximity to an infarcted area in a ventricle, wherein the pacing pulses are delivered in a manner that pre-excites the site or sites in proximity to the infarcted area relative to other areas of the ventricle; wherein the pacing pulses are delivered with an escape interval such that nearly all ventricular beats are paced by: 1) delivering the pacing pulses upon expiration of an atrio-ventricular escape interval triggered by an atrial event with the atrio-ventricular escape interval selected to be shorter than the patient's intrinsic PR interval and/or 2) delivering the pacing pulses upon expiration of a ventricular escape interval triggered by a ventricular event with the ventricular escape interval selected such that the minimum ventricular pacing rate is above the patient's intrinsic ventricular rate; delivering counterpulsation therapy to reduce afterload during ventricular systole; and, synchronizing the counterpulsation therapy with the delivery of pacing pulses to the pre-excited site or sites.