Sep 18, 2000
Guidant Supports Legs For Life Peripheral Vascular Disease Screening Program

Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Also Available in Select Sites for the First Time

Indianapolis, IN - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a global leader in the medical technology industry, is pleased to support the Legs For Life® National Screening Week for Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD). This free screening program is scheduled to take place in nearly 600 hospitals and clinics nationwide Sept. 17-23. The screenings are part of the Legs For Life - National Screening Program for PVD Leg Pain, a national screening program dedicated to improving the cardiovascular health of the community.

"As a leader in providing innovative therapies to treat cardiovascular and vascular disease, Guidant understands first-hand the critical importance of early detection and treatment, particularly for diseases like PVD and abdominal aortic aneurysm," stated Ronald W. Dollens, Guidant president and CEO. "Guidant encourages people around the country to take advantage of this opportunity to participate in a local Legs For Life free screening program. The 10-minute screening is simple, fast and can help save lives."

During the 10-minute screening a patient questionnaire, along with arm and ankle blood pressure readings, are used to assess the potential of PVD. Participants who appear to be at moderate or high risk for PVD will be advised to see their personal physician for additional evaluation.

In addition to being screened for PVD, patients in select Legs For Life 2000 sites will be screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), the 13th leading cause of death in the United States. AAA screenings are being piloted in 14 U.S. sites this year in preparation for national rollout in 2001. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlargement of the aortic artery - the largest blood vessel in the human body - that results from a weakening of the vessel wall. The enlargement can lead to rupture of the aorta, which is fatal in nearly 80 percent of cases. Screening for asymptomatic AAA in high-risk individuals and elective repair of the lesion in appropriate cases has been shown to dramatically reduce the incidence of rupture and death. Approximately 200,000 new cases of AAA are diagnosed per year in the United States.

PVD affects one in 20 Americans over age 50, yet it is a relatively unknown disease that if left untreated could lead to stroke and heart attack. This national effort to identify and encourage treatment for those who suffer from this dangerous disease is due to the collaboration of hundreds of interventional radiologists, vascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists across the country. Last year, over 2,000 physicians and approximately 2,200 vascular nurses and technicians participated in the program.

PVD is caused by blocked blood flow in the arteries of the legs and results in circulation problems, painful cramping and numbness during walking or exercise. Many people confuse the pain of PVD with normal aging or arthritis. People at greatest risk include diabetics, smokers and people with high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels. The earlier the disease is caught, the more likely it can be managed through lifestyle changes, medication, minimally invasive procedures or surgery.

Screenings are free and are conducted by appointment. Information regarding participating Legs For Life screening sites nationwide is available on the web, or by calling the Legs For Life toll-free information line at 877-357-2847.

September is National Peripheral Vascular Disease Awareness Month. To kick off this month-long campaign, Legs For Life held its initial screening on Capitol Hill. Many congressional leaders, including representatives such as Julia Carson (D-IN), Connie Morella (R-MD), and Jim Moran (D-VA), participated in the event.

The Guidant Foundation is a major sponsor of the Legs For Life program, recently announcing a three-year commitment of up-to $1 million. The Guidant Foundation contribution was made to the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Research and Education Foundation, the charitable foundation of the Society of Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology (SCVIR), which founded Legs For Life in 1998. This year, the Society for Vascular Surgery and the American Association for Vascular Surgery have joined SCVIR as sponsors of the program.

The Guidant Foundation is committed to increasing patient awareness and access to advancements in health care. Through philanthropic partnerships, the foundation supports charitable and educational programs that help patients who are at risk or suffer from cardiovascular and vascular disease. The Guidant Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of Guidant Corp. A global leader in the medical technology industry, Guidant provides innovative, minimally invasive and cost-effective products and services for the treatment of cardiovascular and vascular disease.