Devices and methods for detecting and treating inadequate tissue perfusion
View Patent ↗Devices and methods for detecting inadequate tissue perfusion by measuring a parameter other than heart rate such as vascular blood pressure, intracardiac blood pressure, vascular blood flow or tissue perfusion, in addition to or as a substitute for heart rate. Such devices and methods improve the accuracy of determining when and to what degree therapy should be administered to treat inadequate tissue perfusion, such as pre-syncope, syncope, or orthostatic hypotension, particularly in the absence of abnormal cardiac function.
1. A medical method for treating a patient, comprising:
detecting heart rate as an indicator of inadequate tissue perfusion;
detecting at least one other indicia of inadequate tissue perfusion;
delivering a stimulus to increase tissue perfusion as a function of both heart rate and the at least one other indicia; and
providing a therapeutic device for delivering the stimulus to increase tissue perfusion;
wherein the step of delivering the stimulus comprises delivering a stimulus to increase heart rate.
2. A medical method as in claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a therapeutic device comprises providing a pacemaker, and wherein the step of delivering the stimulus to increase heart rate comprises delivering electrical impulses to the patient's heart.
3. A medical method as in claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a therapeutic device comprises providing an infusion pump, and wherein the step of delivering the stimulus to increase heart rate comprises delivering a bolus of a drug.
4. A medical method as in claim 1 , wherein the step of detecting at least one other indicia of inadequate tissue perfusion comprises detecting blood pressure.
5. A medical method as in claim 4 , wherein the step of detecting blood pressure comprises detecting vascular blood pressure.
6. A medical method as in claim 4 , wherein the step of detecting blood pressure comprises detecting intracardiac blood pressure.
7. A medical method as in claim 1 , wherein the step of detecting at least one other indicia of inadequate tissue perfusion comprises detecting blood flow.
8. A medical method as in claim 7 , wherein the step of detecting blood flow comprises detecting vascular blood flow.
9. A medical method as in claim 1 , wherein the step of detecting at least one other indicia of inadequate tissue perfusion comprises detecting blood perfusion in tissue.
10. A medical method as in claim 9 , wherein the step of detecting blood perfusion in tissue comprises detecting blood perfusion in tissue in the patient's upper body.
11. A medical method as in claim 9 , wherein the step of detecting blood perfusion in tissue comprises detecting blood perfusion in tissue in the patient's chest.
12. A medical method as in claim 9 , wherein the step of detecting blood perfusion in tissue comprises detecting blood perfusion in tissue in the patient's head or neck.