CHAOS-BASED DETECTION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION USING AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE

摘要

Techniques are provided for detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) based on variations in ventricular intervals detected by a pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) or implantable cardiac monitor (ICM). In one example, ventricular beats are detected and intervals between the ventricular beats are measured, such as RR intervals. Irregular ventricular beats are identified, including ectopic beats, bigeminal beats, and the like. The degree of variability within the ventricular intervals is then determined while excluding any intervals associated with irregular beats. AF is then detected based on the degree of variability. That is, AF is detected based on variability occurring within ventricular intervals after ectopic beats and other irregular beats have been eliminated, thus mitigating detection problems that might arise if the variability were instead calculated based on all ventricular beat intervals. Techniques are also described herein for distinguishing AF from sinus tachycardia, which can also cause a high degree of variability in RR intervals.