May 7, 1999
Guidant Announces U.S. Market Release of VENTAK VR Defibrillation System
Indianapolis, IN - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a worldwide leader in implantable defibrillation systems, today announced the U.S. market release of the VENTAK® VR AICD(tm) Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator system. Manufactured by Guidant''s Cardiac Rhythm Management (CRM) Group, the VENTAK VR is a small, 51 cc device with single-chamber adaptive-rate pacing capability combined with cardioversion and defibrillation therapies to correct life-threatening heart rhythm disorders. "This easy-to-use system is designed to meet the needs of patients who require single-chamber pacing only and who can benefit from adaptive-rate pacing that is designed to match pacing support to the patient''s activity level," noted Jay Graf, president of Guidant''s CRM group. "The VENTAK VR device complements our successful VENTAK AV III DR and VENTAK MINI IV systems," he added. "With the introduction of VENTAK VR we now offer physicians a choice of devices to meet the needs of patients with a variety of heart rhythms." The market for single-chamber implantable defibrillators currently represents just less than 50 percent of the total U.S. implantable defibrillator market and the usage trend within the single-chamber segment is moving toward devices with adaptive-rate pacing as provided by the VENTAK VR. The VENTAK VR system offers the simplicity of a single-lead implant while providing state-of-the-art convenience with such features as Quick Check and Quick Notes. These ease-of-use capabilities allow the physician to easily and quickly perform a routine follow-up and print information for the patient''s file in a concise format. A global leader in the medical device industry, Guidant 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 web site at http://www.guidant.com.