Tachycardia detection for automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator with atrial and ventricular sensing capability

摘要

An automatic tachycardia detection assembly to be implanted in a person for stimulating the heart upon detection of abnormal tachycardias. The assembly includes an atrial sensor (16) and ventricular sensor (18) for sensing activity within the atria and ventricles of the heart, respectively. Also included is an electrical stimulator or cardioverter/defibrillator (20, 22) for therapeutically stimulating the heart upon detection of abnormal tachycardias. The assembly (10) includes a housing (12) enclosing a control circuit (14) to be implanted within a person responsive to the sensors (16, 18) controlling the cardioverter/defibrillator (20, 22). The control circuit (14) distinguishes sinus tachycardia from ventricular tachycardia having 1:1 VA conduction by comparing the measured tachycardia AV interval to a predetermined sinus AV interval.