Neural stimulation modulation based on monitored cardiovascular parameter

A method, comprising:

• delivering vagus nerve stimulation in a recurring succession of stimulation cycles, wherein the vagus nerve stimulation is provided for a portion of each cycle and not provided for another portion each stimulation cycle;
• sensing a physiological parameter within the portion of each cycle when the stimulation is generated and within another portion of each cycle when the stimulation is not generated, wherein sensing the physiological parameter includes:
• sensing heart rate;
• sensing blood pressure;
• or sensing respiration;
• determining a change in the sensed physiological parameter, wherein the change reflects a difference in the sensed physiological parameter between the portions of a stimulation cycle;
• implementing a programmed algorithm to determine a target change for the sensed physiological parameter;
• comparing the detected change to the target change to provide a comparison result;
• and
• adjusting the vagus nerve stimulation based on the comparison result.

A system, comprising:

• a vagus nerve stimulator configured to deliver vagus nerve stimulation in a recurring succession of stimulation cycles, wherein the vagus nerve stimulation is provided for a portion of each cycle and not provided for another portion each stimulation cycle;
• a physiological parameter monitor configured to monitor a physiological parameter within the portion of each cycle when the stimulation is generated and within another portion of each cycle when the stimulation is not generated;
• a controller configured to:
• determine a change in the sensed physiological parameter, wherein the change reflects a difference in the sensed physiological parameter between the portions of a stimulation cycle;
• compare the detected change to a target change to provide a comparison result;
• and
• adjust the vagus nerve stimulation based on the comparison result.