Endoscopic subxiphoid surgical procedures and instruments facilitate translumination of tissue through the pericardium, and promote encircling an intrapericardial region with one or more tissue-ablating probes for ablating cardiac tissue substantially encircling the left and right pulmonary veins as a treatment for chronic atrial fibrillation. Such endoscopic subxiphoid surgical procedures and instruments also facilitate placement of epicardial tacks about the annulus of the mitral valve for supporting a tensioned suture or band that decreases the size of the mitral annulus to repair a regurgitant valve. Suction-oriented instruments facilitate temporary attachment to an organ to establish precise positioning on the organ during a surgical procedure.
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