A system 10 for endoluminal ablation and embolization of a blood vessel 18 by resistive heating includes an electrically conductive element 12 of elongate form with a resistive heating element 22. A control unit 40 including a processing unit 42, a power unit 44 and, optionally, a temperature sensor unit 46 coupled to a temperature probe 24 to determine when blood flow obstruction is formed, in one embodiment carries out ablation in at least two phases, the first phase at a higher energy level to cause a blood clot 70 and contraction of the blood vessel 18 and a second phase after at least partial retraction of the resistive part 22 and at a second lower phase in order to cause blood clots 80 & 82 to close any remaining lumen formed within the vessel 18 during the first phase. Other embodiments provide for sensing retraction of the resistive part 22 and effecting ablation during and/or after the retraction process in order to create a more effective occlusion barrier.
