Aug 14, 2002
Guidant's MULTI-LINK Stents Demonstrate Benefit to Heart Attack Patients

CADILLAC Trial Was Largest Interventional Trial Evaluating Heart Attack Patients

Indianapolis, Ind. and Santa Clara, Calif. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, today reported U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for use of Guidant''s MULTI-LINK(tm) family of stents in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). This expanded indication follows FDA approval of data from Guidant''s CADILLAC trial, which found that stent implantation should be considered a routine strategy for restoring blood flow to the heart following a heart attack. Guidant''s MULTI-LINK 2.5 to 4.0 mm stents are the first products approved by the FDA for use in this indication.

"The clinical data from the CADILLAC trial demonstrates conclusively the benefit of stent implantation as an immediate treatment for heart attack victims," concluded principal investigator Gregg W. Stone, M.D., Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Lenox Hill Heart and Vascular Institute, New York. "For patients presenting at centers skilled in angioplasty, stenting should now be considered the new standard of care."

The CADILLAC trial demonstrated conclusively that Guidant MULTI-LINK and MULTI-LINK DUET(tm) Coronary Stents provide immediate benefits to patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction by rapidly restoring blood flow. The study found that when compared to balloon angioplasty alone, patients implanted with stents following acute myocardial infarction had a nearly 50 percent reduction in major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Major cardiac events included death, recurrence of heart attack, disabling stroke, and recurring occlusion (blockage) of the vessel that contributed to the original myocardial infarction.

"CADILLAC advances the treatment of myocardial infarction, a serious condition which poses a risk to more than 12 million Americans living with coronary artery disease," said John M. Capek, Ph.D., president, Vascular Intervention, Guidant Corporation. "Every year, there are 1.1 million new and recurring cases of heart attack in the U.S. with a mortality rate greater than 40 percent. This extremely important study clearly demonstrates the value of stent implantation for heart attack patients."

Guidant Corporation conducted the international CADILLAC (Controlled Abciximab and Device Investigation to Lower Late Angioplasty Complications) clinical trial to establish safety and efficacy for use of Guidant coronary stents in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction. The CADILLAC trial provided a randomized comparison of four strategies for restoring blood flow to the heart: balloon angioplasty alone, balloon angioplasty plus the drug abciximab, stent alone and stent plus abciximab. The stent alone as compared to balloon angioplasty alone and balloon angioplasty plus abciximab proved to be statistically significant in reducing 180-day MACE rates. The results of the CADILLAC trial were published in an article that appeared in the March 28, 2002 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

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.