A steerable guide catheter, comprising: a flexible guide tube having a deflectable distal end; at least first and second tensioning lines (21, 22) coupled to the deflectable distal end of the flexible guide tube, the first tensioning line being configured to deflect the distal end of the flexible guide tube in a first direction and the second tensioning line being configured to deflect the distal end of the flexible guide tube in a second direction that is opposite the first direction; a handle having a distal end coupled to the flexible guide tube, said handle comprising: a medial portion having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with at least a portion of the flexible guide tube; a first actuator disposed at a first end of the handle; and a second actuator disposed at a second end of the handle opposite the first end; wherein the first actuator operates to generate a tensioning force acting on the first tensioning line and the second tensioning line and the second actuator operates to generate a tensioning force acting on the first tensioning line and the second tensioning line, and wherein the first and second actuators (18, 19) are each coupled to a rotatable gear, said rotatable gear being coupled to a linear drive shaft disposed within an interior cavity of the handle. a flexible guide tube having a deflectable distal end; at least first and second tensioning lines (21, 22) coupled to the deflectable distal end of the flexible guide tube, the first tensioning line being configured to deflect the distal end of the flexible guide tube in a first direction and the second tensioning line being configured to deflect the distal end of the flexible guide tube in a second direction that is opposite the first direction; a handle having a distal end coupled to the flexible guide tube, said handle comprising: a medial portion having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with at least a portion of the flexible guide tube; a first actuator disposed at a first end of the handle; and a second actuator disposed at a second end of the handle opposite the first end; wherein the first actuator operates to generate a tensioning force acting on the first tensioning line and the second tensioning line and the second actuator operates to generate a tensioning force acting on the first tensioning line and the second tensioning line, and wherein the first and second actuators (18, 19) are each coupled to a rotatable gear, said rotatable gear being coupled to a linear drive shaft disposed within an interior cavity of the handle. a medial portion having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel with at least a portion of the flexible guide tube; a first actuator disposed at a first end of the handle; and a second actuator disposed at a second end of the handle opposite the first end; wherein the first actuator operates to generate a tensioning force acting on the first tensioning line and the second tensioning line and the second actuator operates to generate a tensioning force acting on the first tensioning line and the second tensioning line, and wherein the first and second actuators (18, 19) are each coupled to a rotatable gear, said rotatable gear being coupled to a linear drive shaft disposed within an interior cavity of the handle.