A vascular catheter apparatus for penetration through tissue and for cardiac stimulation, and a methods thereof, are disclosed. The apparatus includes a tubular member having a lumen, and a blunt-end stylet within the lumen. An actuation mechanism causes axial movement of the stylet relative to the catheter tube such that the blunt end of the stylet separate tissue for passage of the catheter through the bored tissue. The stylet itself, or an additional stylet, includes a proximal electrode adapted to be oriented in a cardiac chamber and a distal electrode adapted to be oriented adjacent to the epicardium of the heart to cause cardiac stimulation.