Devices and methods for testing a pulmonary vein to determine whether or
not ablation would be effective in terminating atrial fibrillation. The devices
and methods include a catheter having an expandable balloon attached to the distal
end of the catheter. The balloon has pores on the distal end of the balloon for
administering a fluid into the target pulmonary vein. The fluid inhibits the electrical
impulses generated by the target pulmonary vein. Once the electrical impulses of
the target pulmonary vein have been inhibited it can be determined whether or not
the atrial fibrillation continues to occur. If the atrial fibrillation has been
eliminated, then ablation or other therapy is appropriate. Thus, the devices and
methods limit unnecessary treatment of a pulmonary vein.
