May 7, 2003
New Study of Guidant Therapy Shows Significant Decrease in Duration of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation

Results Presented at American Association of Thoracic Surgeon''s 83rd Annual Meeting

Indianapolis, Ind. and Santa Clara, Calif. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, today announced positive results of a Baylor University Medical Center study of Guidant''s SYNCRUS(tm) Internal Cardioversion System for treating postoperative atrial fibrillation. The SYNCRUS System is designed to immediately treat postoperative atrial fibrillation and restore the heart to normal rhythm by delivering a low-energy shock directly to the atria (the heart''s upper chambers) through wires placed on the patient''s heart during cardiac surgery.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation continues to be one of the most common complications in cardiac surgery, occurring in 20 to 50 percent of all cardiac patients within two-to-four days after heart surgery, and costing the United States healthcare system an estimated $1 billion annually. This atrial arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm, is associated with increased morbidity risks, including stroke, and often requires increased hospitalization.

In the Baylor University Medical Center study, 200 patients were enrolled -- 100 patients implanted with SYNCRUS wires matched with 100 patients without wires.

"We are excited about the results from the SYNCRUS study, which demonstrate a greater than 90 percent reduction in the duration of atrial fibrillation for patients treated with the system, and an average decrease in the total length of hospital stay of 2.8 days compared to the medical control group," said Maria Degois-Sainz, president, Cardiac Surgery, Guidant Corporation. "The SYNCRUS System is yet another example of how we''re transforming cardiac surgery by developing innovative and less-invasive therapies designed to improve patient outcomes and decrease complications."

"The SYNCRUS System has proven to be very effective at our institution in improving patient outcomes by significantly reducing the patient''s length of time in atrial fibrillation, and thereby avoiding potential neurological events and increased hospitalization," said Amit N. Patel, M.D., Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, and lead investigator of the study. "Associated with these improved clinical outcomes for patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation, we have also seen substantial hospital cost savings with the early treatment of this common cardiac complication."

There were no adverse neurological events in the patients treated with the SYNCRUS System, and all patients remained in sinus rhythm at one month after hospital discharge. Results from the study were presented at the American Association of Thoracic Surgeon''s 83rd Annual Meeting in Boston, Mass. on .

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