Method and device for managing a self-termination period for ventricular arrhythmias

An implantable medical device, comprising:

• electrodes configured to be located proximate to one or more atrial or ventricular sites, the electrodes configured to sense cardiac events over a period of time that includes a detection period followed by an observation period;
• memory to store program instructions;
• and
• one or more processors that, when executing the program instructions:
• declare a ventricular arrhythmia episode and a corresponding VT therapy based on the cardiac events during at least the detection period;
• delay delivery of the VT therapy for a self-termination period within the observation period, the self-termination period representing a time period during which the ventricular arrhythmia episode may self-terminate;
• analyze a stability characteristic of interest (COI) from the cardiac events sensed over at least a portion the observation period;
• determine an end point for the self-termination period, within the observation period, based on the stability COI;
• and
• deliver the VT/VF therapy when the VT/VF arrhythmia episode continues past the end point.