Temporary atrial cardioversion catheter

An atrial catheter for electrophysiology, pacing, or cardioversion comprising:

• an elongate flexible member including:
• a distal portion including at least one ring electrode;
• an intermediate portion spaced proximally from the distal portion and including at least one ring electrode;
• a first proximal coil electrode segment being spaced proximally from the intermediate portion;
• and
• a second proximal coil electrode segment being spaced proximally from the first proximal coil electrode segment.

An atrial catheter for electrophysiology, pacing, or cardioversion comprising:

• an elongate flexible member including:
• a ring electrode segment with a distal portion defining a first diameter and including at least two rings each having a width of about 1 millimeter and a proximal portion defining a second diameter greater than the first diameter and including at least two rings each having a width of about 2 millimeters;
• and
• a first coil electrode segment having a width of about 6 centimeters and being spaced proximally about 6 to about 10 centimeters from the most proximal ring of the proximal portion;
• and
• a second coil electrode segment having a width of about 6 centimeters and being spaced proximally about 6 to about 10 centimeters from the proximal end of the first coil segment.

A method of cardiovascular diagnosis and therapy comprising:

• inserting an elongate flexible catheter into the vascular system of a patient;
• advancing an electrically active distal portion of the catheter into the right atrium until the electrically active distal portion is within a coronary sinus of the patient;
• positioning a first electrode coil proximal segment within the right atrium against a wall of the right atrium;
• and
• activating an electrical signal through the electrically active distal portion and the first electrode coil proximal segment to electrically excite the patient's heart for cardioversion.

An atrial catheter for electrophysiology, pacing, or cardioversion comprising:

• a ring electrode segment having:
• a distal portion defining a first diameter and including at least two rings with each ring having a first width;
• a proximal portion defining a second diameter greater than the first diameter and including at least two rings, each ring having a second width different than the first width;
• and
• a coil electrode segment having a width substantially greater than the first and the second width and being spaced proximal about 6 to about 10 centimeters from the most proximal of the proximal ring portion.