599528 An engagement catheter (700) and system for engaging heart tissue is disclosed. The system includes an engagement catheter (700) having a proximal end (710), a distal end (720), and a lumen that extend between the proximal and distal ends. A vacuum port (770) is located at or near the proximal end (710) and is connected to the first lumen (730) which is in communication with a suction port (780) located at or near the distal end (720). The suction port (780) is configured to engage targeted tissue on an interior wall of a heart to form a reversible seal with the wall when a vacuum source is attached to the vacuum port (770). The system is capable of enlarging a pericardial space between the targeted tissue and a pericardial sac that surrounds the heart by retracting the targeted tissue away from the pericardial sac.
