The present invention provides devices and methods for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. In one embodiment a deflectable sheath catheter includes an elongate catheter body having proximal and distal ends, and a deflectable distal end section at the distal end of the catheter body. The deflectable distal end section can be adapted to deflect along a compound curve or has a bent tip oriented in a direction that is out of the plane of deflection to direct an ablation instrument to a target site within a heart.
