Patent ID: 8731663

Claim:
A method for modulating the autonomic nervous system of a patient via an implantable medical device, the method comprising: detecting, by the implantable medical device, an atrial depolarization via at least one electrode of a right atrial lead coupled to the implantable medical device, the at least one electrode of the right atrial lead implanted within a right atrium of a heart of the patient; determining, by the implantable medical device, that the heart is in sinus rhythm; and in response to detecting the atrial depolarization and determining that the heart is in sinus rhythm, delivering, by the implantable medical device and via the at least one electrode of the right atrial lead, vagal stimulation during an atrial refractory period subsequent to the detected atrial depolarization, wherein the vagal stimulation is configured to modulate the autonomic nervous system of the patient, and wherein the vagal stimulation is configured to at least one of increase ventricular reverse remodeling or decrease arrhythmic burden of the patient.