Aug 21, 200
American Heart Association and Guidant announce alliance to educate patients about heart failure

Online tool provides latest information about treatment options for common condition

DALLAS - The American Heart Association today announced a strategic relationship with Guidant Corporation, a company dedicated to the design and development of cardiovascular medical products, to provide heart failure patients personalized treatment information via the Web.

Guidant will sponsor the heart failure Heart Profiler(tm), the American Heart Association''s online treatment decision tool for the millions of Americans living with heart failure. The Web-based tool matches an individual patient''s clinical profile (including diagnosis and test results) to peer-reviewed, published clinical research studies relevant to the patient''s own case. It also provides patients with relevant treatment options, descriptions of side effects and questions to discuss with their healthcare providers. The customized reports of standard treatment options and outcomes are written in language easy for patients to understand.

"Heart failure is a common condition, affecting nearly 5 million Americans," said Clyde Yancy, M.D., associate professor of medicine/cardiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and an American Heart Association volunteer*. "To date, the launch of the Heart Profilers tool on the American Heart Association Web site has been strikingly successful. Based on that success and because of the need to disseminate the availability of the tool more widely, Guidant Corporation is working with us to provide the latest information to patients and their families about options for managing heart failure."

Fritz French, Guidant''s vice president of corporate marketing, says, "Working with leading health organizations like the American Heart Association allows Guidant to fulfill its commitment to help patients receive relevant, accurate and clear information about cardiac and vascular disease."

Unlike basic informational Web sites, Heart Profilers matches each patient's medical information or profile with published clinical research studies. Participants take only about 20 minutes to sign in, create a personalized profile and generate an initial report. Patients can receive side effect descriptions for particular drugs, understand how their treatment compares with others, and download questions for their physicians. The easy-to-read information includes an integrated index of medical terminology to make sure patients understand their conditions and treatment options. In addition, at the patient''s option, the tool can connect interested patients to nearby clinical trials so that the patients can benefit from experimental treatment programs.

Since Heart Profilers is backed by the American Heart Association, one of the world's lead supporters of cardiovascular medical research and education, patients receive the most credible, up-to-date information. A medical editorial board reviews the studies in the Heart Profilers to ensure their credibility, accuracy and relevance. New studies are reviewed and added monthly. All patient data is kept private and is accessible only by the user. Users will be able to ask for more information from the American Heart Association or to receive information about upcoming clinical trials appropriate for their health status.

Heart failure is a progressive cardiac illness in which the heart cannot pump enough oxygenated blood to meet the body's needs. In many cases, this inefficient pumping occurs because the four chambers of the heart are not working as a team. The timing, or synchrony, between the chambers is often poor. Consequently, the chambers do not fill and empty normally, so the heart's pumping efficiency is compromised.

The first tools in the Heart Profilers repertoire, launched in January 2002, included coronary artery disease and heart failure. Additional Heart Profilers tools available in September 2002 include atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure and cholesterol conditions.

"Now, with the resources provided by Guidant Corporation, we believe we can get these disease management tools into the hands of even more patients that suffer from this debilitating condition," said Yancy, an American Heart Association volunteer.

About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association spent about $382 million during fiscal year 2000-01 on research support, public and professional education, and community programs. The organization has grown to include more than 22.5 million volunteers and supporters who carry out its mission in communities across the country. The association is the largest nonprofit voluntary health organization fighting heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, which annually kill about 960,000 Americans. For more information about heart disease and stroke, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.

About Guidant Corporation

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 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.

* Clyde Yancy, M.D. is chair, Coronary Artery Disease Medical Editorial Board, which includes 23 experts from across the country*.