Patent ID: 7979122

Claim:
An implantable device for preventing sudden cardiac death, comprising: a housing configured for implantation in a patient; energy delivery circuitry provided in the housing, the energy delivery circuitry configured to deliver only two forms of cardiac therapy, the two forms of cardiac therapy comprising a non-physiologic, life sustaining pacing therapy and a therapy to treat a tachyarrhythmia; detection circuitry provided in the housing, the detection circuitry configured to detect cardiac rhythms; a lead system comprising one or more lead electrodes, the lead system coupled to the energy delivery circuitry and the detection circuitry; and control circuitry provided in the housing and coupled to the energy delivery circuitry and the detection circuitry, the control circuitry configured to coordinate delivery of the tachyarrhythmia therapy in response to the detection of a tachyarrhythmia requiring treatment and delivery of the non-physiologic, life sustaining pacing therapy in response to detection of cardiac asystole, wherein the non-physiologic, life sustaining pacing therapy comprises delivery of pacing pulses at a rate between 5-20 pulses per minute.