Jul 21, 2004
Guidant Announces European Approval of Next Generation Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillator

Innovative System Combines Treatments for Heart Failure, Atrial Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death

Indianapolis, Ind. and St. Paul, Minn. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE: GDT) today announced Conformité Européenne (CE) Mark approval and first implant of its CONTAK RENEWAL® 4 AVT cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator. The system is designed to treat heart failure patients who are at risk for sudden cardiac death and also suffer from atrial arrhythmias. Atrial arrhythmias affect approximately half of the 6.5 million Europeans and 5 million Americans who suffer from heart failure. Guidant will launch the CONTAK RENEWAL 4 AVT system in Europe later this quarter.

"Not only is atrial fibrillation one of the more important co-morbidities in heart failure, it is also difficult to treat," said Johannes Sperzel, M.D., at Kerckhoff-Klinik, Bad Nauheim, Germany, where the first implant was performed earlier this month. "The availability of a cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator that can also diagnose and treat an atrial arrhythmia has enormous potential for millions of heart failure patients worldwide because it enables physicians to treat both the upper and lower chambers of the heart."

"The RENEWAL 4 AVT is a tangible example of our capability to deliver meaningful product innovation," said Fred McCoy, president, Cardiac Rhythm Management, Guidant Corporation. "We are pleased to provide this new treatment option to our physician customers for the patients they serve."

The CONTAK RENEWAL 4 AVT system is designed to determine the origin of an irregular heartbeat and provide the appropriate therapy. Once the origin and severity of the arrhythmia is determined, the device provides either pacing therapy or delivers an appropriate shock to return the heart to a normal rhythm. The RENEWAL 4 AVT system''s diagnostic tools also assist physicians in accurately diagnosing a patient''s condition, documenting symptoms, gaining clear insight into disease progression and monitoring the effectiveness of the therapy.

About Atrial Arrhythmias

Atrial arrhythmias are irregular beats that begin in the heart''s upper chamber. Normally, the electrical signal that tells your heart to beat comes from the sinoatrial node, or SA node, in the right atrium. But during atrial fibrillation, signals start irregularly from several areas in the atria. These disorganized electrical signals cause the atria to quiver rapidly and irregularly, instead of beating in a regular rhythm. Atrial fibrillation keeps the heart''s upper and lower chambers from working together properly. This can decrease the heart''s pumping efficiency by as much as 20 to 30 percent. Additionally, people with untreated atrial fibrillation may be at significantly greater risk for stroke than people with normal heart rhythms. Because blood does not flow through the atria smoothly, blood clots may form in the heart. If a blood clot is dislodged from the heart, it can travel to the brain and result in stroke.

About Guidant

Guidant Corporation is a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease. The company pioneers lifesaving technology, giving an opportunity for better life today to millions of cardiac and vascular patients worldwide. Driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture of 12,000 employees, Guidant 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.