NATICK, Mass., April 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) announces the U.S. market launch of its Z Flex-270™ Steerable Sheath.  The device is intended for use in a wide range of electrophysiology (EP) procedures to facilitate the introduction and placement of diagnostic and therapeutic catheters within the heart.  The Company plans to launch the product immediately in the U.S.

"The Z Flex-270 Steerable Sheath provides more than 270 degrees of tip deflection to allow access to difficult-to-reach areas in all four chambers of the heart.  This high degree of bend, combined with a very responsive steering mechanism, should provide additional flexibility for maneuvering inside the cardiac space," said Bruce G. Hook, M.D., Director, Cardiac Arrhythmia Service at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington, MA.  "We look forward to using the Z Flex-270 Steerable Sheath in our institution."

"The Z Flex-270 Steerable Sheath is designed to facilitate delivery and placement of interventional devices used to treat atrial fibrillation (Afib) and other complex arrhythmias," said Pete Sommerness, vice president and general manager of Boston Scientific's Electrophysiology business.  "The launch of the Z Flex-270 Steerable Sheath complements our growing EP portfolio and highlights our continued focus on providing the most advanced technologies.  We are committed to expanding our reach with electrophysiologists around the world and improving outcomes for Afib patients undergoing cardiac ablation procedures."

The Z Flex-270 Steerable Sheath is compatible with catheters up to 12 French.

Atrial fibrillation, which affects approximately 15 million patients worldwide, is an arrhythmia associated with a rapid rhythm in the upper chambers of the heart.  Patients are most often treated with anti-arrhythmic drugs, which can often cause adverse side effects.  Cardiac ablation with a radiofrequency ablation catheter is increasingly becoming an option for patients who cannot tolerate these medications. 

Boston Scientific currently has no FDA-approved cardiac ablation catheters for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

About Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices that are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties.  For more information, please visit: www.bostonscientific.com.  

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "anticipate," "expect," "project," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "intend" and similar words.  These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance.  These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding new product launches and launch cadence, product performance, our business plans and competitive offerings.  If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements.  These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements expressed in this press release.  As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. 

Factors that may cause such differences include, among other things: future economic, competitive, reimbursement and regulatory conditions; new product introductions; demographic trends; intellectual property; litigation; financial market conditions; and future business decisions made by us and our competitors.  All of these factors are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of them are beyond our control.  For a further list and description of these and other important risks and uncertainties that may affect our future operations, see Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we may update in Part II, Item 1A – Risk Factors in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q we have filed or will file hereafter.  We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which those expectations may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.  This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.

CONTACT:   

Steven Campanini
508-652-5740
Media Relations
Boston Scientific Corporation
steven.campanini@bsci.com

Sean Findlen
617-520-7268  (office)
Media Relations
Weber Shandwick
sfindlen@webershandwick.com

Sean Wirtjes
508-652-5305 (office)
Investor Relations
Boston Scientific Corporation
investor_relations@bsci.com

SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation