A medical device includes a motion sensor configured to sense a motion signal. The medical device includes a control circuit configured to determine at least one ventricular event metric from the motion signal sensed over multiple of atrial cycles, determine that the ventricular event metric meets atrioventricular block criteria and generate an output in response to determining the atrioventricular block.

Approaches to rank potential left ventricular (LV) pacing vectors are described. Early elimination tests are performed to determine the viability of LV cathode electrodes. Some LV cathodes are eliminated from further testing based on the early elimination tests. LV cathodes identified as viable cathodes are tested further. Viable LV cathode electrodes are tested for hemodynamic efficacy. Cardiac capture and phrenic nerve activation thresholds are then measured for potential LV pacing vectors comprising a viable LV cathode electrode and an anode electrode. The potential LV pacing vectors are ranked based on one or more of the hemodynamic efficacy of the LV cathodes, the cardiac capture thresholds, and the phrenic nerve activation thresholds.

Systems and methods are provided for optimizing hemodynamics within a patient's heart, e.g., to improve the patient's exercise capacity. In one embodiment, a system is configured to be implanted in a patient's body to monitor and/or treat the patient that includes at least one sensor configured to provide sensor data that corresponds to a blood pressure within or near the patient's heart; at least one adjustable component designed to cause blood to flow in a direction opposite to the normal direction (regurgitation) within the patient's heart; and a controller configured for adjusting the function of the at least one adjustable component based at least in part on sensor data from the at least one sensor.

An example of a system and method for protecting a patient diagnosed of cancer from cardiac injury resulting from a chemotherapy treating the cancer. A sequence of cardioprotective pacing sessions may be initiated based on timing of the chemotherapy. Cardiac pacing pulses may be delivered to the patient during each session of the cardioprotective pacing sessions according to a cardioprotective pacing mode for controlling delivery of the cardiac pacing pulses to effect cardioprotection against potential myocardial injury resulting from the chemotherapy. The cardioprotective pacing mode may specifying alternating non-pacing and pacing periods.

A wearable defibrillator for use in monitoring patient movement and cardiac activity and treating a patient includes a garment configured to be worn by the patient, treatment electrodes configured to apply an electric current to the patient, and an alarm module configured to provide audio, visual, and haptic notifications. The notifications are configured to indicate that an electric current will be administered imminently and prompt the patient to provide a response input. The wearable defibrillator includes a motion sensor configured to detect motion and body position of a patient, and a controller in electrical communication with the alarm module and the motion sensor. The controller is configured to monitor for the response input after the prompt, determine, based on the detected motion and body position, whether the patient is sleeping, and cause a change in one or more characteristics of the prompt on determining that the patient is sleeping.

The disclosure describes techniques for associating therapy adjustments with posture states using a timer. The techniques may include detecting a patient adjustment to electrical stimulation therapy delivered to the patient, sensing a posture state of the patient, and associating the detected adjustment with the sensed posture state if the sensed posture state is sensed within a first period following the detection of the adjustment and if the sensed posture state does not change during a second period following the sensing of the sensed posture state.

A wearable defibrillator includes garment configured to be worn by a patient, treatment electrodes configured to apply electric current to the patient, and an alarm module configured to provide audio, visual, and haptic notifications. The notifications are configured to indicate that an electric current will be administered imminently, and prompt the patient to provide a response input. The wearable defibrillator includes a motion sensor configured to detect motion and a lack of motion of the patient, and a controller in electrical communication with the alarm module and the motion sensor. The controller is configured to monitor for the response input, cause administration of the electric current to be delayed or cancelled if the response input is received and motion of the patient is detected, and cause administration of the electric current to be delivered if no response input from the patient is received and a lack of motion is detected.

A delivery device for installing a medical device in a patient comprising a body portion having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end having a chisel shaped tip, a receptacle disposed in the distal end of the body portion for receiving a medical device for implanting in the patient, a handle disposed at the proximal end of the body portion for facilitating advancement of the proximal end of the body portion into the patient.

A computer implemented method and system for detecting arrhythmias in cardiac activity are provided. The method is under control of one or more processors configured with specific executable instructions. The method obtains cardiac activity (CA) signals at the electrodes of an implantable medical device (IMD) in connection multiple cardiac beats and with different IMD orientations relative to gravitational force. The method obtains acceleration signatures at a sensor of the IMD that are indicative of heart sounds generated during the cardiac beats. The method obtains device location information at the IMD, with respect to the gravitational force during the cardiac beats. The method groups the acceleration signatures associated with the first and second set of cardiac beats into the corresponding one of first and second posture bins based on the device location information. The method identifies a difference between the acceleration signals in the first posture bin in connection with treating a heart condition.

A method and apparatus for treatment of hypertension and heart failure by increasing secretion of endogenous atrial hormones by pacing of the heart. Pacing is done during the ventricular refractory period resulting in premature atrial contraction that does not result in ventricular contraction. Pacing results in the atrial wall stress, peripheral vasodilation, ANP secretion. Concomitant reduction of the heart rate is monitored and controlled as needed with backup pacing.