Aug 8, 2002
Guidant's Stent for Small Vessels Demonstrates Excellent Clinical Outcomes at Six Months

Results Show Efficacy in Patients Presenting with Abrupt or Threatened Abrupt Closure

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 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the six-month follow-up clinical trial results for Guidant''s MULTI-LINK PIXEL(tm) Coronary Stent System. The trial demonstrated safety and efficacy of the stent system with a target lesion revascularization rate of 8.8 percent at 180 days. Target vessel failure at 30 days, the trial''s primary endpoint, was 1.3 percent.

"The excellent results of the MULTI-LINK PIXEL small vessel stent system once again demonstrate the importance of stent and delivery system technology in improving clinical outcomes for patients," said John M. Capek, Ph.D., president, Vascular Intervention, Guidant Corporation. "The MULTI-LINK PIXEL system has been very well received by physicians around the world, and represents approximately 20 percent of our current worldwide stent sales." The success of the MULTI-LINK PIXEL system combined with the continued positive acceptance of the MULTI-LINK PENTA system has solidified Guidant''s global leadership in coronary stents.

Small vessels are defined as those with diameters of 2.5 mm or less; approximately 20 percent of atherosclerotic lesions occur in such vessels.

"These clinical results establish the MULTI-LINK PIXEL Stent as an effective and minimally invasive option for treating small diameter vessels, which can be more difficult to treat due to the distal location of the lesions and the possibility that abrupt closure may occur," said David A. Cox, M.D., of the Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, N.C., who served as principal investigator of Guidant''s MULTI-LINK PIXEL registry.

The MULTI-LINK PIXEL registry involved 150 patients treated for abrupt or threatened abrupt closure of first-time or recurring blockages in small-diameter vessels of 2.0 to 2.5 mm, with mean reference vessel diameter of 2.14 mm. Results showed a 100 percent procedural success rate, with a 180-day MACE (Major Adverse Cardiac Event) rate of 10.2 percent and a 180-day target vessel failure rate of 13.6 percent. Mean lesion length was 10.21 mm, and 36 percent of those enrolled in the trial were patients with diabetes mellitus.

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.