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Abstract

Methods and apparatus for treating cardiac arrhythmias by ablating myocardial fibers within a pulmonary vein through use of a catheter. For example, the ablative element of the catheter is rotated around an axis to ablate a partial or complete loop of tissue within the pulmonary vein so as to block the transmission into the cardiac tissue of electrical signals originating or propagating from myocardial fibers within a pulmonary vein. In other examples, signals from the catheter are monitored to determine whether the ablative element is in contact with the wall of the pulmonary vein. Additional apparatus allow precise angular positioning of the ablative element within the lumen of the pulmonary vein. Apparatus and methods for detecting the properties of the tissue within the pulmonary vein, locating myocardial fibers, selectively ablating such fibers, and determining if such fibers are ablated are also disclosed.

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First Claim