Nov 11, 1999
Guidant Announces European Market Release of CONTAK / EASYTRAK Product Family for Treatment of Congestive Heart Failure

Indianapolis, IN - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a worldwide leader in implantable medical device systems, today announced the European market release of a family of products designed specifically for the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure, a cardiovascular disorder affecting a large and growing patient population.

Today''s announcement includes the CONTAK CD and CONTAK TR devices and the EASYTRAK lead system, making Guidant the first company to provide a full product line of implantable devices for the treatment of heart failure.

"Our early experience indicates that a CONTAK/EASYTRAK system can provide significant clinical benefit in the treatment of patients who suffer from chronic heart failure," noted Jay Graf, president of Guidant''s Cardiac Rhythm Management Group. "Treatment of chronic heart failure is an enormous unmet clinical need and a significant portion of healthcare budgets worldwide is spent on this syndrome. We have been involved in the research of device treatment for heart failure since 1990," Graf indicated, "which gives us confidence that these device systems offer the potential to relieve symptoms and positively impact the lives of heart failure patients who at this time have few alternatives."

Guidant''s device systems for treating heart failure include the CONTAK CD pulse generator, which provides biventricular stimulation to treat heart failure, bradycardia pacing and tachyarrhythmia cardioversion/defibrillation therapies; the CONTAK TR pulse generator, which provides biventricular stimulation and bradycardia pacing therapy; and the EASYTRAK lead, a patented transvenous over-the-wire lead system developed for implantation in the coronary venous system to reach the left side of the heart.

The EASYTRAK lead is designed to stimulate both of the lower chambers of the heart in a way that enhances the heart''s pumping efficiency. Conventional systems provide pacing to stimulate only the right side of the heart and rely on the heart''s normal conduction system to transfer that pulse to the left side of the heart. The proprietary EASYTRAK lead system, designed in conjunction with Guidant''s Vascular Intervention Group, allows easy, convenient transvenous placement, using an over-the-wire system similar to that used in angioplasty procedures.

Chronic heart failure is a medical condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the metabolic needs of the body. It affects well over 5 million people in the United States and an estimated 6.5 million in Europe. Nearly one million new cases are diagnosed annually, making it the most rapidly growing cardiovascular disorder.

Chronic heart failure is characterized by physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, problems with physical strength and stamina, fatigue, fluid retention and exercise intolerance. Patients often report disruption of their lives and dissatisfaction with their abilities to perform daily activities.

A global leader in the medical device industry, Guidant Corporation provides innovative, minimally invasive and cost-effective products and services for the treatment of cardiovascular and vascular disease. For more information on Guidant''s products and services, visit the company''s website at http://www.guidant.com.