Cardiac output measurement using dual oxygen sensors in right and left ventricles

A cardiac output measurement system comprising:

• a first optical sensor carried on a lead for deployment in the left ventricle of a patient to measure blood oxygen saturation in the left ventricle;
• a second optical sensor carried on a lead for deployment in the right ventricle of the patient to measure blood oxygen saturation in the right ventricle;
• a memory storing oxygen consumption data for the patient;
• and
• a memory storing hemoglobin data for the patient;
• and
• a processor that computes cardiac output according to the Fick method based on the measured blood oxygen saturation in the left ventricle, the measured blood oxygen saturation in the right ventricle, the oxygen consumption data, and the hemoglobin data.

An implantable medical device comprising:

• a pulse generator that delivers a first pacing pulse to a left ventricle and a second pacing pulse to a right ventricle following a pacing interval;
• an oxygen saturation monitor that monitors a first blood oxygen saturation level in the left ventricle and a second blood oxygen saturation level in the right ventricle;
• and
• a processor that adjusts the pacing interval as a function of the first and second blood oxygen saturation levels.

A method comprising:

• delivering a first pacing pulse to a left ventricle of a patient;
• delivering a second pacing pulse to a right ventricle following a pacing interval;
• monitoring a first blood oxygen saturation level in the left ventricle and a second blood oxygen saturation level in the right ventricle;
• and
• adjusting the pacing interval as a function of the first and second blood oxygen saturation levels.

A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that cause a processor to:

• control a pulse generator to deliver a first pacing pulse to a left ventricle of a patient, and deliver a second pacing pulse to a right ventricle following a pacing interval;
• monitor a first blood oxygen saturation level in the left ventricle and a second blood oxygen saturation level in the right ventricle;
• and
• adjust the pacing interval as a function of the first and second blood oxygen saturation levels.

An implantable medical device comprising:

• means for delivering a first pacing pulse to a left ventricle of a patient;
• means for delivering a second pacing pulse to a right ventricle following a pacing interval;
• means for monitoring a first blood oxygen saturation level in the left ventricle and a second blood oxygen saturation level in the right ventricle;
• and
• means for adjusting the pacing interval as a function of the first and second blood oxygen saturation levels.

A method comprising:

• sensing blood oxygen saturation in the left ventricle of the patient using a first optical sensor placed in the left ventricle;
• sensing blood oxygen saturation in the right ventricle of the patient using a second optical sensor placed in the right ventricle;
• and
• computing cardiac output for the patient according to the Fick method based on the measured blood oxygen saturation in the left ventricle, the measured blood oxygen saturation in the right ventricle, and oxygen consumption data for the patient.