Advanced pacing

A method of treating a patient, comprising:

• (a) selecting the patient for treatment;
• (b) implanting an implantable device in the patient, wherein the implantable device comprises:
• an array of multiple electrodes;
• a controller operatively connected to the multiple electrodes;
• and
• a memory storage component coupled to the controller, wherein the memory storage component stores instructions for the controller to perform one or more algorithms,
• wherein during the implanting the multiple electrodes are positioned on an epicardial surface of a heart of the patient proximate a left atrium;
• (c) using a first set of the multiple electrodes to sense electrical activity of the heart;
• and
• (d) delivering a first configuration of pacing energy to the heart using a second set of the multiple electrodes based on an assessment of the patient's susceptibility to an arrhythmia performed by a first algorithm of the one or more algorithms, wherein the assessment is performed by analyzing the sensed electrical activity;
• wherein a second algorithm of the one or more algorithms is configured to determine one or more parameters of the first configuration of pacing energy to be delivered;
• wherein the first configuration of pacing energy delivery is configured to minimize susceptibility to initiation of atrial fibrillation in the patient;
• wherein the first configuration of pacing energy is delivered to a portion of a cardiac substrate when the portion of the cardiac substrate is determined to be in an excitable state;
• wherein a third algorithm of the one or more algorithms is configured to monitor for atrial fibrillation by analyzing the sensed electrical activity;
• and
• wherein the delivery of the first configuration of pacing energy is discontinued if atrial fibrillation is detected via the third algorithm.