a method and apparatus for cardioverter / pacemaking utilizing neurosensing . the invention utilizes the baroreceptor nerves found in the body . a neurosense electrode is placed around the carotid sinus nerve and a sense amplifier with automatic gain control and an integral band pass filter provides a frequency - to - voltage converter with a frequency proportional to the stimulus received from the carotid sinus nerve . the voltage from the frequency - to - voltage converter is sent to the analog - to - digital converter where it is bussed to a microprocessor . the microprocessor then drives a pacing lead and in the presence of a cardiac signal the microprocessor provides a cardioverting signal to the cardioverting lead if ventricular arrhythmia is sensed . the microprocessor also drives a telemetry coil and receives ventricular information from the ventricular sensing lead .