electrocardiographic probe a hamid hakki et al u s pat no 5 749 833 according to one aspect of the present invention a convenient and effective method of securely implanting a pacemaker lead into the vascular system veins arteries or lymphatic channels of the heart is provided according to certain embodiments of the present invention a multi lumen catheter is introduced into the venous system of the heart implanting electrodes at various locations within the cardiac veins for optimal pacing the locations are determined by the resultant pacing induced electrical and mechanical efficiency conventional steering mechanisms are utilized for introducing pacemaker leads and maneuvering in different cardiac chambers and vessels steerable flexible wire systems may be introduced via the multi lumen catheter according to yet other embodiments of the present invention a multi lumen catheter is introduced into the venous system of the heart implanting electrodes at various locations within the cardiac veins for optimal pacing the ring electrodes are bipolar with distal cathode and proximal anode according to still other embodiments of the present invention a multi lumen catheter is introduced into the venous system of the heart implanting electrodes at various locations within the cardiac veins for optimal pacing the electrodes are detachable and embedded in the lining of the vessel in other embodiments a multi lumen catheter is introduced into the venous system of the heart implanting electrodes at various locations within the cardiac veins for optimal pacing the electrodes are made of suitable material such as platinum iridium that provides optimal sensing pacing and shock in certain other embodiments the ring electrodes are.