Devices and methods provide for ablation of cardiac tissue for treating
cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Although the devices and
methods are often to be used to ablate epicardial tissue in the vicinity
of at least one pulmonary vein, various embodiments may be used to ablate
other cardiac tissues in other locations on a heart. Devices generally
include at least one tissue contacting member for contacting epicardial
tissue and securing the ablation device to the epicardial tissue, and at
least one ablation member for ablating the tissue. Various embodiments
include features, such as suction apertures, which enable the device to
attach to the epicardial surface with sufficient strength to allow the
tissue to be stabilized via the device. For example, some embodiments may
be used to stabilize a beating heart to enable a beating heart ablation
procedure.