Post-heart surgery cardioverting system

摘要

A post-surgical cardioverting system applies cardioverting electrical energy to the atria of the heart of a post-surgical heart patient. The system includes a first lead (34) including a first elongated electrode (42) having a proximal end (46) and a distal end (44), a second lead (36) including a second elongated electrode (48) having a proximal end (52) and a distal end (50), and sutures (53, 55) for releasably anchoring the distal ends of the first and second electrodes to the pericardium and disposing the first and second electrodes along the pericardium overlying the right and left atria respectively. A non-implantable cardiovertor (32) is coupled to the first and second leads for applying the cardioverting electrical energy to the first and second electrodes. When cardioversion is no longer required, the first and second leads may be pulled out of the patient's chest. <IMAGE>