Nov 10, 2003
Guidant Receives U.S. Approval of Most Advanced Pacemaker

NSIGNIA Ultra''s Unique Technology Enables Tailored Therapy

Indianapolis, IN and St. Paul, MN - Guidant Corporation (NYSE: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the latest addition to the INSIGNIA® family of pacemakers'"the INSIGNIA Ultra(tm). The INSIGNIA Ultra system represents Guidant''s most advanced pacemaker offering and delivers industry-leading therapies and diagnostics in a small, smart, long-lasting device.

"The innovative automatic capture and AutoLifestyle(tm) features, combined with Guidant''s proprietary blended-sensor technology, make INSIGNIA Ultra a leading pacemaker in the market," said Fred McCoy, president, Cardiac Rhythm Management, Guidant Corporation. "INSIGNIA Ultra maintains the physiologic shape and small size that has made the INSIGNIA family so competitively successful."

The INSIGNIA Ultra pacemaker includes automatic capture, which looks at every beat to see if the lower chambers of the heart contracted in response to the delivered pacing pulse from the device. If no contraction is detected, a backup pace with more energy is issued to ensure contraction. The unique AutoLifestyle feature is designed to automatically tailor Guidant''s blended sensor technology to each individual patient by approximating a normal heart response for people who can''t do so on their own.

The INSIGNIA Ultra device is designed to treat bradycardia, a condition in which the heart beats too slowly-usually less than 60 beats per minute. As a result, the body does not get enough oxygen and nutrients to function properly. More than 600,000 people worldwide receive pacemaker treatment each year for bradycardia.

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 11,000 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.