Method for measuring baroreflex sensitivity and therapy optimization in heart failure patients

A method for measuring baroreflex sensitivity, comprising:

• a step for pacing a heart for a plurality of paced heart beats, wherein the plurality of paced beats comprise a pacing series and each of the pacing series are followed by a plurality of intrinsic heart beats, wherein the plurality of intrinsic heart beats comprise an intrinsic series;
• a step for determining a change in pulse pressure during the pacing series;
• a step for determining a change in intrinsic cycle length resulting from the change in pulse pressure;
• and
• a step for determing baroreflex sensitivity based on the change of cycle length divided by the change in pulse pressure.

An apparatus for measuring baroreflex sensitivity, comprising:

• a pacemaker having at least one variable parameter capable of altering a pulse pressure in a patient;
• a first sensor for sensing a cycle length in a heart;
• and
• a second sensor for sensing the pulse pressure in the patient.

An apparatus for measuring baroreflex sensitivity, comprising:

• a means for altering a pulse pressure in a patient;
• a means for sensing a cycle length in a heart;
• and
• a means for sensing the pulse pressure in the patient.

A method for evaluating a cardiac rehabilitative therapy, comprising:

• measuring baroreflex sensitivity before the cardiac rehabilitative therapy;
• providing a cardiac rehabilitative therapy to the CHF patient;
• measuring baroreflex sensitivity after the cardiac rehabilitative therapy;
• and
• evaluating results of the rehabilitative therapy based on a comparison of a first measurement of baroreflex sensitivity before the cardiac rehabilitative therapy and a second measurement of baroreflex sensitivity after the cardiac rehabilitative therapy.

A method for evaluating a cardiac rehabilitative therapy, comprising:

• a step for measuring baroreflex sensitivity before the cardiac rehabilitative therapy;
• a step for providing a cardiac rehabilitative therapy to the CHF patient;
• a step for measuring baroreflex sensitivity after the step of providing cardiac rehabilitative therapy;
• and
• a step for evaluating results of the rehabilitative therapy based on a comparison of a first measurement of baroreflex sensitivity before the cardiac rehabilitative therapy and a second measurement of baroreflex sensitivity after the cardiac rehabilitative therapy.