Jan 21, 2004
Guidant Launches New Biliary Stent System in U.S

Self-Expanding Stent Features New, More Accurate Delivery System

Indianapolis, Ind. - Guidant Corporation (NYSE: GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, today announced that the company has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) special 510(k) clearance for the company''s new ABSOLUTE(tm) .035 Biliary Self-Expanding Stent System. This new stent system improves on Guidant''s previous generation of .035 non-coronary stents by making the stent more visible and the delivery system even easier to use. The company has also received CE Mark and is simultaneously launching in Europe.

The ABSOLUTE Stent System is part of a family of Guidant products designed for the treatment of obstructions in non-coronary anatomy. In the U.S., the stent system is indicated for the treatment of malignant biliary obstructions, blockages found in the ducts that carry fluids from the liver to the gallbladder or from the gallbladder to the small intestine. These obstructions affect more than 30,000 patients in the U.S. each year.

"The next-generation ABSOLUTE Stent System offers physicians superb ease-of-use and accuracy," said Beverly Huss, president, Endovascular Solutions, Guidant Corporation. "The introduction of this stent strengthens our portfolio of products for the treatment of obstructions in the non-coronary anatomy."

"The ABSOLUTE delivery system is intuitive and easy to use," said Dr. Tony Das of the Presbyterian Heart Institute, Dallas, Texas. "The stent tracks without hesitation during the procedure, and I was able to deploy it exactly at the target site with perfect precision. I found that it gives me the ability to place a self-expanding stent more accurately even in tortuous anatomy."

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.