Abstract

The heart is controlled by dynamic interactions within the cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS). This interaction occurs between intrathoracic extracardiac and intrinsic cardiac ganglia as well as between peripheral autonomic ganglia, spinal cord, medulla oblongata, and higher centers. Imbalances in this interdependent neural network at any level in the hierarchy can play an important role in the genesis and maintenance of cardiac diseases. Cardiac neuromodulation therapies targeted to various ganglia in this neural hierarchy to restore such balance can improve cardiac function. In this chapter, different neuromodulation therapies for cardiac diseases with their detailed neuromodulation mechanism will be discussed.