Method of transvenous defibrillation/cardioversion employing an endocardial lead system

摘要

The method comprises defibrillating or cardioverting a heart, employing either an implanted or an external defibrillation/cardioversion device capable of generating electrical shocks, by transvenously inserting into the lower left pulmonary artery a pulmonary arterial lead comprising a distal defibrillation electrode, sensing the occurrence of fibrillation or an arrhythmia, and defibrillating or cardioverting the heart by electrical shocks between such electrode and a transvenously- inserted additional defibrillation electrode. The additional defibrillation electrode may comprise a proximal defibrillation electrode located on the pulmonary arterial lead, with its distal end having been positioned in the right atrium/superior vena cava. Alternatively, the method comprises transvenously inserting a second lead comprising said additional electrode, and positioning the same in the right ventricle, the right atrium, or the superior vena cava. Sensing/pacing electrode means may be positioned in the right ventricle, and optionally also in the right atrium, for sensing and pacing the heart.