USING MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTIC PARAMETERS FOR PREDICTING HEART FAILURE EVENTS

摘要

Techniques for using multiple physiological parameters to provide an early warning for worsening heart failure are described. A medical device monitors a primary diagnostic parameter that is indicative of worsening heart failure, such as intrathoracic impedance or pressure, and one or more secondary diagnostic parameters. The medical device detects worsening heart failure in the patient based on the primary diagnostic parameter when an index that is changed over time based on the primary diagnostic parameter value is outside a range of values, termed the threshold zone. When the index is within the threshold zone, the medical device detects worsening heart failure in the patient based on the one or more secondary diagnostic parameters. Upon detecting worsening heart failure, the medical device may, for example, provide an alert that enables the patient to seek medical attention before experiencing a heart failure event.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
at least one sensor; and a processor that: monitors at least one primary diagnostic parameter and at least one secondary diagnostic parameter of a patient based on at least one signal from the at least one sensor, wherein the primary and secondary diagnostic parameters are associated with worsening heart failure of the patient, changes an index value over time based on the primary diagnostic parameter, wherein the index indicates worsening heart failure of the patient, determines whether worsening heart failure is detected in the patient based on the fluid index when the index is outside of a threshold zone defined by a lower threshold and an upper threshold, and determines whether worsening heart failure is detected in the patient based on the secondary diagnostic parameter when the fluid index is inside the threshold zone.