Mar 13, 2003
Guidant Announces First Implant in New Heart Failure Scientific Study

U.S. Study Continues Guidant''s Leadership in Clinical Science

St. Paul, Minn. and Indianapolis, Ind. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, today announced first U.S. implant in its latest heart failure study, DECREASE HF. DECREASE HF stands for "Device Evaluation of CONTAK RENEWAL® 2 and EASYTRAK® 2'"Assessment of Safety and Effectiveness in Heart Failure." This study is designed to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of the flexible pacing modes offered in Guidant''s newest heart failure cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) currently available in Europe.

"The RENEWAL 2/EASYTRAK 2 system has been designed to be another big step in Guidant''s revolutionary solutions to treat people struggling with heart failure," said Fred McCoy, president, Cardiac Rhythm Management, Guidant Corporation. "On the heels of the landmark COMPANION trial, DECREASE HF further demonstrates Guidant''s commitment to leadership in clinical science."

The study will compare the current standard for delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in which the right and left ventricles are paced simultaneously, with two additional programming options. The two programming options are resynchronization therapy with a left ventricular offset (LV Offset) in which the ventricles are paced independently and a mode in which only the left ventricle is paced (LV Only).

"This is an important study for clinicians who treat heart failure patients. This is the first time that CRT pacing, CRT pacing with an LV Offset and LV Only pacing will be compared in a randomized clinical trial of this magnitude," said Dr. David DeLurgio of Emory Crawford Long Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia and the trial''s national principal investigator.

The first implant of Guidant''s RENEWAL 2/EASYTRAK 2 system was performed on Friday, March 7, 2003 by Dr. Michael Giudici at Genesis Medical Center in Davenport, Iowa. "This is a wonderful advance in heart failure therapy," said Dr. Giudici. "Cardiac resynchronization therapy has already been shown to improve heart function and quality of life, and with LV Offset, we now have the ability to further refine the therapy. We are pleased to be a part of this study."

The DECREASE HF trial is a randomized study currently being conducted at sites across the U.S. The RENEWAL 2 system received CE Mark on December 29, 2000. RENEWAL family CRT-D acceptance has lifted Guidant into the heart failure market leadership position in Europe. With this announcement, the system is under clinical investigation in the U.S.

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 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.

NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information about Guidant, including its products and services, please visit the company's newsroom at www.guidant.com/newsroom.