Feb 3, 2003
Guidant Appoints Maria Degois-Sainz President, Cardiac Surgery

Degois-Sainz Joins Guidant Management Committee

Indianapolis, Ind. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PCX: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, today announced that Maria Degois-Sainz, currently vice president, global marketing, Vascular Intervention, Guidant, has been promoted to president, Cardiac Surgery, effective immediately. In this new role, Degois-Sainz will become a member of Guidant''s Management Committee.

"Maria has cultivated strong global field relationships and increased our marketing presence with key clinical customers worldwide," said Ronald W. Dollens, president and CEO, Guidant. "Maria has strong strategic market insight and an exceptional understanding of our business. This depth of experience and expertise will serve the organization well as she assumes this critical role and contributes as a Guidant Management Committee member."

Degois-Sainz began her career as a marketing analyst for Eli Lilly and Company in 1989. Shortly thereafter, she assumed an assignment within the company''s medical device division in France, which eventually became part of Guidant Corporation. She has since held various international sales, marketing and management assignments within the company, including European marketing director, Vascular Intervention, Guidant, and vice president, Guidant Intermedics Europe. She was named vice president, Global Marketing, Vascular Intervention, Guidant, in late 2000.

Degois-Sainz holds a Master in Languages from the University of Madrid and an MBA from Thunderbird American Graduate School.

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.