SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING, DIAGNOSING, AND TREATING CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

摘要

An apparatus for treating cardiovascular disease in a medical patient includes one or more sensors (155), an implantable housing (7), at least one implantable lead (10), a signal processor (157), and a signaling device (166). The sensor (155) is operable to generate a sensor signal indicative of fluid pressure within the left atrium (36) of the heart (33). The implantable housing (7) includes a cardiac rhythm management apparatus (159), such as a pacemaker or a defibrillator. The cardiac rhythm management apparatus (159) includes an electrode (15), which is operable to deliver an electrical stimulus to a location in the heart (33). The electrical stimulus is delivered based at least in part on the sensor signal. The lead (10) is coupled to the implantable housing (7), and to the electrode (14). The signal processor (157) is operable to generate a processor output indicative of a treatment, and is based at least in part on the sensor signal. The signaling device (166) is operable to generate at least two distinct treatment signais distinguishable from one another by the patient. Each signal is indicative of a différent therapeutic treatment, and is based at least in part on the processor output.