Method and apparatus for cardiac therapy by stimulation of a physiological representative of the parasympathetic nervous system

An apparatus for providing therapy to the heart of a subject, comprising:

• a tachyarrhythmia detector means for detecting tachyarrhythmia of said heart;
• a current generator;
• an electrode system means connectable for delivering current from said current generator in vivo to the parasympathetic nervous system of said subject and for delivering current from said current generator in vivo to the sympathetic nervous system of said subject;
• and
• control means for causing said current generator, upon detection of tachyarrhythmia by said tachyarrhythmia detector, to emit a first, pulsed current via said electrode system to the parasympathetic nervous system in order to activate said parasympathetic nervous system and to emit a second current via said electrode system to the sympathetic nervous system for blocking said sympathetic nervous system.