METHOD OF OPTIMIZING MECHANICAL HEART RATE DURING DELIVERY OF COUPLED OR PAIRED PACING

摘要

A method of operating a cardiac pacing device that optimizes the mechanical heart rate using coordinated potentiation therapy while maximizing the opportunity for intrinsic AV conduction to occur. The method may include adjusting the timing of extra stimulus intervals during coupled or paired pacing to promote AV conduction and to effect changes in rate according to certain embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments may include adjusting the atrial pacing rate to achieve a desired target rate consistent with AV conduction. A mode switch to a dual-chamber pacing mode may be provided according to certain embodiments of the invention to ensure a ventricular rate that meets or exceeds a minimum mechanical rate.