System and method for preventing Sudden Cardiac Death by nerve sprouting from right stellate ganglion
US6487450B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61N1/36114
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method are described for reducing the likelihood of the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia in the heart of a patient having a myocardial infarction and an atrioventricular block, particularly a ventricular arrhythmia of the type potentially leading to Sudden Cardiac Death. The likelihood of the occurrence of the ventricular arrhythmia is reduced by stimulating myocardial hyperinnervation in the sinus node and right ventricle of the heart of the patient. Myocardial hyperinnervation in the sinus node and right ventricle is stimulated by applying electrical stimulation to the right stellate ganglion of the patient or by applying Nerve Growth Factor or other neurotrophic substance to the right stellate ganglion. The system and method may also be advantageously exploited for use with patients having myocardial infarction but no atrioventricular block and for patients have other heart conditions such as Brugada syndrome.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.