Rhythm discrimination using information indicative of lead motion

An implantable medical device (IMD) including a processor-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the IMD to:

• obtain a response to an excitation signal applied to a conductor in an implantable lead, the response modulated according to a change in an electrical characteristic of at least one conductor in the lead to provide information indicative of a movement of the implantable lead, the movement due at least in part to a motion of a heart;
• determine an arrhythmia status using the response information indicative of the movement of the implantable lead;
• and
• determine one or more of a location or a type of an arrhythmia, using the response information indicative of the movement of the implantable lead, in response to the determined arrhythmia status indicating that an arrhythmia is occurring or has occurred.

An apparatus including an implantable medical device, the implantable medical device (IMD) comprising:

• a means of receiving, via an electrical coupling of an implantable lead to the IMD, a response to an excitation signal applied to a conductor of the implantable lead, the response modulated according to a change in an electrical characteristic of at least one conductor in the lead to provide information indicative of a movement of the implantable lead, the movement due at least in part to a motion of a heart;
• a means of determining an arrhythmia status using the response information indicative of the movement of the implantable lead;
• and
• a means of determining one or more of a location or a type of an arrhythmia, using the response information indicative of the movement of the implantable lead, in response to the determined arrhythmia status indicating that an arrhythmia is occurring or has occurred.