Feb 3, 2003
Ron Lattanze Promoted to Guidant Management Committee as President of Guidant's Japan Operations

Indianapolis, Ind. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, today announced that Ron Lattanze, president, Guidant Japan, has been promoted to the Guidant Management Committee.

"As president of our Japan operations, Ron has been instrumental in growing and developing Guidant''s presence in this strategically important market. Under Ron''s leadership and exceptional management, Guidant has achieved market leadership in Vascular Intervention and enhanced our market positions across all product groups. Ron will be a welcome addition to the Guidant Management Committee," stated Ronald W. Dollens, president and CEO, Guidant.

Prior to assuming his current role in 2002, Lattanze served as vice president and chief operating officer of Guidant''s Japan operations. He was also director, Asia operations and director, stent operations, Vascular Intervention, where he was instrumental in the initial launches of Guidant''s successful MULTI-LINK® and MULTI-LINK DUET(tm) coronary stent systems. Before joining Guidant, Lattanze held financial and operation management positions at IVAC Corporation and was a Naval Officer for six years.

Lattanze earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Guidant Corporation pioneers lifesaving technology, giving an opportunity for a 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. 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.