A catheter that is particularly useful for mapping the pulmonary vein and other tubular regions of or near the heart, and methods or use, are described. The catheter (10) comprises an elongated catheter body (12) having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen (46) extending longitudinally therethrough and a mapping assembly (18) mounted at the distal end of the catheter body. The mapping assembly (18) comprises at least two spines (14), each spine having a proximal end attached at the distal end of the catheter body and a free distal end and carrying at least one electrode. The mapping assembly is moveable between an expanded arrangement, in which each spine extends radially outward from the catheter body and is generally U-shaped , and a collapsed arrangement in which each spine is disposed generally along a longitudinal axis of the catheter body. IMAGE
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