Dec 17, 2001
Guidant Announces Strategic Alliance with HeartCenterOnline

Internet Based Channel Provides Comprehensive Information for Heart Patients

Indianapolis, Ind. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT) today announced a strategic partnership with HeartCenterOnline. This partnership creates an internet-based channel for Guidant to provide health care information to patients and families who suffer from heart and cardiovascular disease.

HeartCenterOnline has developed a comprehensive website for heart patients. The health information on HeartCenterOnline.com is reviewed by a medical advisory board that consists of practicing cardiologists. Many physicians are referring their patients to this site, which is emerging as a highly credible, patient friendly source of heart-related health information. HeartCenterOnline is one of the Internet's most visited sites for heart disease and related illnesses. Research shows that over 100 million patients use the Internet to look for information about their health.

Guidant and HeartCenterOnline have created resource centers focused on therapy awareness, treatment options and other resources for patients, families and doctors. This month, seven Guidant Resource Centers have been launched on the site, including stent, arrhythmia, heart attack, aneurysm, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, heart failure and bypass surgery. Links to these centers are located in the Condition Compass section of the Guidant website. Additional resource centers will be launched in February.

"E-health partnerships create a mechanism to accelerate awareness and adoption of important lifesaving therapies by providing new information channels to specialists, referral physicians, patients, and families," said Fritz French, vice president, corporate marketing, Guidant Corporation.

HeartCenterOnline is a leading provider of online information and services to the heart disease patient population and marketing solutions for cardiologist practices.

Guidant Corporation pioneers lifesaving technology, giving an opportunity for better life today to 7 million cardiac and vascular patients worldwide. The company, driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture of 10,000 employees, develops, manufactures and markets a broad array of products and services that enable less invasive care for some of life's most threatening medical conditions.