APPARATUS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF ARRHYTHMIAS

An implantable pacemaker employing an arrhythmia prevention pacing modality particularly optimized for inclusion in dual chamber pacemakers and anti-arrhythmia devices which include dual chamber pacemakers. When the pacing mode is in effect, the device alters timing of scheduled atrial and/or ventricular pacing pulses in response to depolarizations sensed during the refractory periods and to ventricular depolarizations sensed outside of the pacemaker's A-V escape intervals. The arrhythmia prevention pacing mode is activated and deactivated in conjunction with the operation of arrhythmia detection features which may also be employed by the device to trigger delivery of anti-arrhythmia therapies.