Catheters and methods for performing cardiac diagnosis and treatment

摘要

A system and method for cardiac diagnosis and treatment inserts the distal end of a catheter into a heart chamber. The distal end of the catheter supports at least one electrode. The catheter has a fluid flow conduit extending through it. The conduit has a valve that prevents fluid flow from the heart chamber into the conduit in response to in vivo pressure generated during heart systole and diastole. The valve permits fluid flow from the conduit into the heart at a pressure above the in vivo pressure. In use, the catheter locates the electrode in contact with a portion of the endocardium, and fluid is conducted from an external source through the conduit at a pressure above the in vivo pressure to flush the area surrounding the electrode.