Mar 14, 2002
Guidant Introduces New Product for Treating Peripheral Vascular Disease

Company Creates Dedicated Peripheral Vascular Sales Organization

Indianapolis, IN and Menlo Park, Calif. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiovascular and vascular disease, announced that on February 22 the company received FDA clearance to market the new AGILTRAC(tm) .018 Peripheral Dilatation Catheter for treating peripheral vascular disease, following CE Mark approval on January 11, 2002. An estimated 10 million patients in the United States alone suffer from peripheral vascular disease (PVD), which is a condition characterized by blockages in vessels supplying the kidneys and limbs.

"Guidant's new high-performance AGILTRAC peripheral dilatation catheter reflects many technological improvements made at the request of physicians treating peripheral vascular disease," said Beverly Huss, president of Endovascular Solutions, Guidant. "We are committed to providing physicians with innovative, less-invasive medical devices like those they would have designed themselves."

The next-generation AGILTRAC peripheral dilatation catheter is intended to treat blockages in peripheral arteries through a non-surgical angioplasty procedure. The treating physician inserts the catheter through a small incision and guides the catheter to the peripheral blockage. The physician then inflates the balloon at the site of the blockage, which presses against the artery wall and restores blood flow through the previously blocked area.

Guidant also announced today that Guidant Endovascular Solutions has formed a dedicated Peripheral Vascular Sales organization to better serve physicians performing procedures to treat peripheral vascular disease. In the first quarter of 2002, Guidant Endovascular Solutions will double the number of its Peripheral Territory Managers.

The dedicated Peripheral Vascular Sales organization will provide specialized clinical insight and expertise in Guidant's innovative biliary stents and peripheral products. The sales force was formed in response to the growing number of peripheral procedures performed by physicians. Previously, Guidant's Peripheral line was distributed by its Coronary and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm sales forces.

"We recognize that individual physicians have individual needs," said Mark Bartell, president of Guidant's U.S. Sales Operations. "With the creation of a dedicated Peripheral Vascular sales group, we'll be able to offer state-of-the-art technology and superior customer support to physicians treating peripheral vascular disease."

Guidant Corporation pioneers lifesaving technology, giving an opportunity for better life today to 7 million 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.