The present invention comprises methods and systems for treating a cardiac arrhythmia in a mammal by administering gated or pulsed radiofrequency current or other ablative energy to the mammal during one or more time periods of increased coronary blood flow. Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise, without limitation, the gated or pulsed administration of radiofrequency current in association with the formation of the dicrotic notch in the arterial blood pressure curve of the mammal. In accordance with the invention, the thermal effects of ablative energy application on the coronary artery are avoided or mitigated due to rapid coronary blood flow resulting in heat loss and minimization of damage to blood vessels.