Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

There is provided a cardiac pacing system for dealing with dangerous atrial arrhythmias, wherein when an episode of such an arrhythmia is detected, the system operates to cool the A-V node so as to reversibly block conduction of the atrial excitations through to the ventricle, permitting uninterrupted asynchronous ventricular pacing during the episode. The system provides for an atrial lead having a Peltier element positioned toward its distal end, such that when the atrial lead distal end is affixed to the atrial heart wall, the cooling element is proximate to the A-V node. Upon detection of a dangerous atrial episode, the Peltier element is energized to cool the A-V node to point of effective block, and the pacemaker switches to asynchronous pacing. The atrial signals are continually monitored, and when the arrhythmia terminates on its own and a normal sinus rhythm is restored, the cooling is stopped, permitting the atrial excitations to be transferred through the A-V node and allowing a return of the pacemaker to a synchronous pacing mode.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim