Disclosed delivery catheters have a three-dimensional curvature that facilitates reaching the RAA from the inferior vena cava, positioning the distal end of the catheter generally parallel to the plane of the pericardial space at the puncture location within the RAA, orienting the puncturing device in a direction that avoids the right coronary artery, aorta, pulmonary artery, and other structures to prevent bystander injury to such structures, and provides sufficient rigidity to puncture through a wall of the RAA into the pericardial space.