METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA

摘要

An implant system (10) for the defibrillation or cardio version of the heart of a patient in need of such treatment, comprises a plurality of primary electrodes (A50, B51), a power supply (not shown), and a control circuit (inside (13)). Preferably, at least one auxiliary electrode (C25) is also included. The plurality of primary electrodes (A50, B51) are configured for delivering a defibrillation pulse along a predetermined current pathway in a first portion of the heart (RV 32), the current pathway defining a week field area in a second portion (LV 34) of the heart. The at least one auxiliary electrode (C52) is configured for delivering an auxiliary pulse to the portion of the heart where the primary shock field intensity is at or near a minimum. The control circuit is operatively associated with the primary electrodes (A50, B51), the auxiliary electrode (C52), and the power supply (not shown), with the control circuit configured for deliverying a cardio version sequence comprising an auxiliary pulse (not shown) sufficient to induce a cessation of propagation in the weak field area through the auxiliary electrode (C52), followed by a defibrillation pulse through the primary electrodes (A50, B51) delivered during the cessation of propagation in the weak field area.