Jul 13, 2000
Guidant Performs First Human Implants of its MULTI-LINK PIXEL Coronary Stent System for Small Vessels

Indianapolis, IN and Santa Clara, CA - Patients at risk of experiencing life-threatening abrupt closures in small blood vessels may soon benefit from new technology developed to prevent blocked arteries from closing and affecting natural blood flow. Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of coronary artery disease, has launched a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of its MULTI-LINK PIXEL(tm) Coronary Stent System. This stent is designed to treat threatened abrupt closures of first-time or recurring blockages in small vessels.

Patrick J. Bergin, M.D. successfully implanted Guidant''s MULTI-LINK PIXEL in a small diameter vessel in danger of closing during a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedure July 11 at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene, Oregon. The MULTI-LINK PIXEL Stent is a tiny metal tube that functions as scaffolding to hold arteries open, restoring natural blood flow and reducing the risk of potential complications resulting from blocked arteries.

"The clinical community seems to have reached a consensus that small vessel stents are important tools for treating coronary artery disease," commented David A. Cox, M.D., who will serve as the clinical trial''s principal investigator. "Guidant''s MULTI-LINK PIXEL Stent has the potential to meet this significant clinical need by providing physicians with an immediate, minimally invasive way of correcting threatened abrupt closures resulting from both first-time and recurring blockages."

A PTCA procedure utilizes a coronary dilatation catheter to crack and compress the plaque against the artery wall, which helps restore natural blood flow. On occasion, the dilated artery does not remain open after the dilatation catheter is removed, placing the patient at risk of suffering an abrupt vessel closure. Although PTCA is a widely used and safe treatment for blocked coronary arteries, a majority of complications following PTCA are the result of abrupt vessel closures of the dilated artery.

"Approximately 1.5 million people worldwide undergo coronary angioplasty and related procedures each year," said John M. Capek, Ph.D., president of Guidant''s Vascular Intervention Group. "Guidant is hopeful that this important clinical trial will establish the MULTI-LINK PIXEL Coronary Stent as an effective, minimally invasive means of preventing the dangerous complications that result from small vessel closures."

Small vessels are defined as those with diameters of less than 3.0 mm; approximately 20 percent of atherosclerotic lesions occur in such vessels. Guidant specifically developed the MULTI-LINK PIXEL System for use in small vessels.

The MULTI-LINK PIXEL Stent is the latest technological advancement in coronary stenting by Guidant, which is the world-market leader in stents and stent delivery systems. More than 1.5 million Guidant stents have been used to successfully treat patients with coronary artery disease since 1997. The MULTI-LINK PIXEL is based on an existing Guidant stent platform and contains lesion-specific augmentations for the challenging anatomical features of small diameter vessels.

Guidant''s latest stent for the broader patient population, the MULTI-LINK TETRA(tm) Coronary Stent System, recently received CE Mark approval for commercial use in most European countries and in others that base regulatory clearance on the European CE mark. Guidant anticipates launching the MULTI-LINK TETRA in the U.S.-upon approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-later this year.

A global leader in the medical technology 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 web site at www.guidant.com.