Feb 25, 2004
Guidant Elects Jack A. Shaw to Board of Directors

INDIANAPOLIS - Guidant Corporation (NYSE: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, announced today that its board of directors has elected Jack A. Shaw, retired president, chief executive officer and a director of California-based Hughes Electronics Corporation, to fill an additional director seat created by the board. This appointment became effective February 17, 2004. The election of Shaw increases membership of the board to fifteen.

"As the former president and CEO of Hughes Electronics Corporation, and someone who has been nationally recognized for his contributions to both the communications and engineering industries, Jack brings a breadth of experience that will further broaden Guidant''s ability to bring the most-advanced cardiovascular medical technologies to patients and physicians," said James M. Cornelius, Chairman of the Board, Guidant Corporation.

"Jack''s exceptional business knowledge and extensive operational experience will be a highly valuable asset for our board. We look forward to his contributions," stated Ronald W. Dollens, president and CEO, Guidant Corporation.

Shaw retired as president and chief executive officer of Hughes Electronics Corporation and a member of the Hughes board of directors on December 31, 2003. He was elected chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors in May 2001, and president in November 2001.

Previously, Shaw served as corporate senior executive vice president of Hughes from 2000. He has also served as chairman and chief executive officer of Hughes Network Systems. Mr. Shaw joined Hughes in 1987. Shaw had held senior management positions with companies that include ITT Space Communications, Inc., and Digital Communications Corporation.

Shaw graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering and he attended the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and is a member of the Visiting Committee to the Dean of Engineering, Purdue University. Shaw holds an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from Purdue University. He received an honorary doctor of science degree from Capitol College.

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 more than 12,000 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.