Nov 14, 2002
New National Registry Will Study Left Ventricular Dysfunction in 100,000 Patients

Scientific data-gathering effort will provide meaningful information on a cardiac condition that precedes or accompanies serious heart disease such as heart failure

Indianapolis, Ind. and St. Paul, Minn. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX:GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, today announced that it is sponsoring a national registry to study left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) in 100,000 patients over a three-year period. The ADVANCENT (SM) national registry will study patients with LVD in real-world settings, providing a mechanism to both evaluate and improve the application of therapies supported by evidence-based medicine.

Patients with left ventricular dysfunction have weakened hearts, defined as an ejection fraction of 40 percent or less. A significant percentage of patients with left ventricular dysfunction also suffer from heart failure. More than 500,000 new patients are diagnosed with heart failure every year. More than one million patients are hospitalized each year due to heart failure.

"This is the first national registry to study the complete spectrum of care for patients with LVD," said Reynolds Delgado, M.D., director of The Institute for Heart Failure Treatment and Research at The Texas Heart Institute and a member of the ADVANCENT Scientific Steering Committee. "ADVANCENT will provide physicians and health care professionals a standardized, paperless framework for gathering patient management profiles, clinical events and outcomes in the naturalistic setting. It promises to be a powerful complement to randomized trials that establish our foundations of evidence-based medicine by advancing our real-world understanding of the diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of patients with LVD."

"Guidant has a strong track record of sponsoring landmark clinical trials that have expanded the reach of important therapies to patients at increased risk of cardiovascular death. We expect this registry to result in new clinical insight that will help physicians improve care and extend greater hope to heart patients," said Fred McCoy, president, Cardiac Rhythm Management, Guidant Corporation.

ADVANCENT will be independently managed by REGISTRAT®, Inc. "Information from registries like ADVANCENT have had a great impact on clinical practice. They help evaluate the care delivery process and provide a unique opportunity for health care professionals to contribute to, and benefit from evolving treatment strategies for patients," said Ron Christensen, M.D., president, REGISTRAT, Inc. Enrollment in ADVANCENT will begin in early 2003.

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.