Mode of operation for an implantable cardiac rhythm management device co-implanted with a ventricular assist device

A method performed by an implantable medical device, comprising:

• operating the implantable medical device according to a first mode that comprises:
• detecting a cardiac arrhythmia from a cardiac electrical signal, and
• automatically delivering an electrical stimulation therapy to a heart of a patient in response to detecting the cardiac arrhythmia,
• receiving a command from another medical device indicating co-implantation of a ventricular assist device with the implantable medical device in the patient;
• and
• switching from the first mode of operating to a second mode of operating in response to receiving the command, wherein switching from the first mode to the second mode comprises adjusting at least one control parameter used for controlling the electrical stimulation therapy.

A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by a controller of an implantable medical device, cause the device to:

• operate according to a first mode that comprises:
• detecting a cardiac arrhythmia from a cardiac electrical signal, and
• automatically delivering an electrical stimulation therapy to a heart of a patient in response to detecting the cardiac arrhythmia,
• receive a command from another medical device indicating co-implantation of a ventricular assist device with the implantable medical device in the patient;
• and
• switch from the first mode of operating to a second mode of operating in response to receiving the command, wherein switching from the first mode to the second mode comprises adjusting at least one control parameter used for controlling the electrical stimulation therapy.

A programmer for programming an implantable medical device, the programmer comprising:

• a display;
• a telemetry circuit configured for bidirectional communication with an implantable medical device;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• generate a user interface on the display, the user interface comprising a ventricular assist device (VAD) mode window for receiving user input to enable a VAD mode of operation of the implantable medical device;
• and
• control the telemetry circuit to transmit a VAD mode of operation command to the implantable medical device in response to the user input enabling the VAD mode of operation.