Patent ID: 8100883

Claim:
A method of cannulating the coronary sinus of the heart from a right side insertion, the method comprising: selecting a catheter having an elongate flexible shaft with a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion of the shaft preformed with a proximal curved segment extending distally from the proximal portion of the shaft having a curvature of from about 20 to about 50 degrees relative to the proximal portion of the shaft and an arc radius of from about 6 to about 10 inches, a distal curved segment extending distally from the proximal curved segment and having a curvature of from about 135 degrees to about 200 degrees relative to the proximal curved segment and an arc radius of from about 1 to about 2 inches, and a substantially straight terminal segment extending distally from the distal curved segment and having a length of from about 0.1 to about 3.5 inches, the distal curved segment being curved in a direction opposite the curvature of the proximal curved segment; inserting the distal portion into one of the right subclavian vein, the right brachiocephalic vein, the right cephalic vein, the right internal jugular vein or the right external jugular vein; and manipulating the proximal portion so as to insert the distal portion into the coronary sinus, including: advancing the distal portion into the superior vena cava; advancing the distal portion into the right atrium using the superior vena cava for support until the distal portion crosses the tricuspid valve; torquing the distal portion 90 degrees counterclockwise after crossing the tricuspid valve to maneuver the distal portion into the same plane as the coronary sinus ostium; withdrawing the distal portion back into the right atrium while maintaining torque; and advancing the distal portion into the coronary sinus ostium while maintaining torque.