Method and apparatus using vagal stimulation for control of ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation

摘要

A closed-loop, variable-frequency, vagal-stimulation apparatus for control of ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a stimulator applied to the left vagus nerve and a controller programmed to automatically and continuously adjust the vagal stimulation frequency as a function of the difference between actual and desired ventricular excitation rates. In a second embodiment the apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator and a controller which automatically adjusts the vagal stimulation frequency as a function of the difference between ventricular excitation rate and arterial pulse rate in order to eliminate or minimize pulse deficit.