| abstract |
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for electrically inducing and pharmacologically maintaining cardiac asystole. The present invention combines electrostimulation of the vagus nerve to transiently arrest the heart, and the administration of a pharmaceutical composition that suppresses the tendency of the heart to escape from the induced asystolic state. The present invention provides an apparatus to interrogate the response of a heart to an electric pulse applied to the vagus nerve and to select the optimum location of an electrode and pulse to arrest the heart. The present invention further provides embodiments of catheter and tube electrode devices that incorporate expanding electrodes intended to contact the interior walls of blood vessels or anatomic structures in which the electrode devices are implanted. The present invention also provides cutaneous array electrodes that may be used non-invasively to stimulate the vagus nerve. |