Nov 18, 2002
Guidant Introduces Innovative Next-Generation Stabilization Platform for Beating Heart Surgery

New System Designed to Simplify the Beating Heart Procedure

Indianapolis, Ind. and Santa Clara, Calif. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, today announced the launch of the ACROBAT(tm) Off-Pump System, the company''s next-generation stabilization platform for off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. The ACROBAT Off-Pump System is designed to simplify the beating heart procedure by providing cardiac surgeons with optimal target vessel exposure and stabilization.

"The new ACROBAT Off-Pump System represents yet another step forward in simplifying the beating heart procedure for surgeons, making it an option for more patients," said Nicky Spaulding, president, Cardiac Surgery, Guidant Corporation. "Guidant is committed to bringing the most innovative cardiac surgery technologies to patients and physicians worldwide."

Approximately 375,000 coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures are performed each year in the United States, of which approximately 25 percent are currently estimated to be completed utilizing the beating heart approach. Traditional CABG surgery requires surgeons to stop the patient's heart and artificially replace its blood-pumping and oxygen-providing functions by using a heart-lung machine. Beating heart CABG is performed while the heart continues to beat, eliminating the use of the heart-lung machine.

Research indicates that patients who undergo beating heart surgery experience fewer side effects such as memory loss and recover more quickly, reducing hospital stay, as compared to those who undergo traditional CABG procedures.

The fully integrated ACROBAT Off-Pump System combines the new ACROBAT(tm) Stabilizer with Guidant''s new market-leading XPOSE(tm) 4 heart access device. The XPOSE 4 device is designed to be used by surgeons during a beating heart procedure to gently lift and position the heart to expose target coronary vessels without compromising cardiac function. The ACROBAT stabilizer is designed to deliver a stable anastomotic (the connecting of graft vessels to the aorta) site with exceptional vessel presentation, making complete coronary revascularization less complex.

"The overall ease of use of the ACROBAT Off-Pump System, along with improvements in stabilization and maneuverability, allow surgeons to work with greater precision when performing beating heart CABG," said Dr. Tomas Salerno, Chief of Cardiac Surgery of Jackson Memorial Hospital & University of Miami in Miami, Fla.

Guidant Corporation pioneers lifesaving technology, giving an opportunity for better life today to millions of cardiac and vascular patients worldwide. The company, driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture of more than 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. For more information visit www.guidant.com.

NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information about Guidant, including its products and services, please visit the company''s newsroom at www.guidant.com/newsroom.