The disclosed apparatus comprises an intravascular sheath and dilator that can be placed over a guidewire after percutaneous vascular access. One or more electrodes are positioned axially at or near the distal end of the dilator, facilitating guidance of the sheath to the heart without fluoroscopy (i.e., by using electrical and/or magnetic guidance). The electrodes are in electrical conductance with leads via wires that extending proximally from the electrodes on or through the wall of the dilator or sheath.