Dynamic overdrive pacing adjustment techniques are described for use in implantable
cardiac stimulation devices. In a first technique, an overdrive pacing unit of
a microcontroller of the implantable device operates to optimize various control
parameters that affect overdrive pacing so as to achieve a desired degree of overdrive
pacing for the particular patient in which the stimulation device is implanted.
Parameters to be optimized include the number of overdrive beats paced once overdrive
pacing is trigged, the overdrive pacing response function, the recovery rate, and
various base rates. The control parameters are adjusted in a hierarchical order
of priority until the desired degree of overdrive pacing is achieved. Adjustment
of the number of overdrive beats, the recovery rate, and various base rates is
iteratively performed by using incremental numerical adjustments. Adjustment of
the overdrive pacing response function may be performed by selecting among a set
of fixed predetermined linear response functions. In a second technique, the overdrive
pacing unit operates to optimize the shape of a single non-linear dynamic overdrive
pacing response function so as to achieve the desired degree of overdrive pacing
for the patient. The second technique may either be employed alone or in combination
with the first, hierarchical optimization technique.
