May 23, 2002
Influential Figures in Guidant's History Recognized for Lifesaving Invention

Inventors of the Implantable Defibrillator Honored by the National Inventors Hall of Fame

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 two of the most influential people in the company's history are to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame(tm). Drs. Michel Mirowski and Morton Mower, inventors of the implantable defibrillator, will be honored for the impact their lifesaving invention has had on hundreds of thousands of lives.

"Built upon the vision and pioneering research of Drs. Mirowski and Mower, Guidant has continued to make great strides in helping those who suffer from life-threatening heart rhythms," said Fred McCoy, president, Cardiac Rhythm Management, Guidant Corporation. "Today's Guidant implantable defibrillators are small, smart and long-lasting."

Dr. Mirowski's idea for the device was prompted by the death of his friend, colleague and mentor, Dr. Harry Heller. The loss motivated Dr. Mirowski to develop the world's first implantable defibrillator. In 1968, Dr. Mirowski partnered with Dr. Mower and they began turning the idea into reality. Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. (CPI) now Guidant, acquired the rights to the technology in May of 1985. Guidant's first commercially available device was five times larger and three times heavier than Guidant's newest implantable defibrillators, which are about the size of a pager.

Drs. Mirowski and Mower remained closely affiliated with Guidant through the years. Dr. Mirowski served as a consultant and was a frequent visitor to the St. Paul offices until his death in 1990. Dr. Mower was vice president of medical services at the company and then senior consultant. He retired in 1996. Today, Dr. Mower continues to live, invent and conduct research in Baltimore, Maryland.

An implantable defibrillator is a small device implanted just under the skin through a small incision, usually in the shoulder area. Connected to the defibrillator are leads (insulated wires) that are fed through a vein into the heart. These leads have electrodes that constantly monitor the rhythm of the heart, looking for rapid, chaotic rhythms that are often lethal. When a potentially fatal rhythm is detected, the device automatically delivers a lifesaving electrical shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm.

The not-for-profit National Inventors Hall of Fame, located in Akron, Ohio, is the premier organization in America dedicated to honoring and fostering creativity and invention. Each year a new class of inventors are inducted into the Hall in recognition of their patented inventions that make human, social and economic progress possible.

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.