NATICK, Mass., April 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced the newest addition to its broad portfolio of vascular access products with the launch of its Super Sheath™ Introducer Sheath, which has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the introduction of interventional and diagnostic devices inserted in the human vasculature.

"The introduction of Super Sheath Introducer Sheath -- along with the recent launch of our ZIPwire™ Guide Wire -- further demonstrates our commitment to providing physicians with superior tools for peripheral and coronary interventions," said Hank Kucheman, President of Boston Scientific's Interventional Cardiology business. "These technologies are designed to facilitate access to vascular lesions and help to improve the efficiency and outcomes of minimally invasive procedures."

The Super Sheath Introducer Sheath, a tube that is placed inside a vessel during an interventional procedure to help with catheter placement, offers several design enhancements. The smooth wire-to-dilator-to-sheath transition is designed to facilitate insertion, to support ease of entry and reduced vessel trauma. The Super Sheath Introducer Sheath's rotating suture wing and translucent hub allow for efficient operation. A silicone-coated valve and the sheath's smooth inner surface promote easy device passage, and radiopaque markers aid in precise device placement.

"Boston Scientific works closely with interventional physicians to create devices that accommodate their needs," added Kucheman. "We will continue to refine our existing technologies and develop new devices that help interventionalists improve patients' lives."

Diagnostic and interventional procedures are minimally invasive procedures performed to correct vascular problems such as blocked blood vessels found either in the heart or throughout the body. These blockages restrict blood flow and deprive major organs of blood and other nutrients.

Super Sheath is a trademark of Togo Medikit Ltd., Co.

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

  CONTACT:
  Milan Kofol
  508-650-8569
  Investor Relations
  Boston Scientific Corporation

  Paul Donovan
  508-650-8541
  Media Relations
  Boston Scientific Corporation

  Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," including, among other statements, statements regarding the proposed business combination between Boston Scientific Corporation and Guidant Corporation, and the anticipated consequences and benefits of such transaction. Statements made in the future tense, and words such as "anticipate", "expect", "project", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "intend", "will", "may" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, but are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond the control of Boston Scientific or Guidant. Relevant risks and uncertainties include those referenced in Boston Scientific's and Guidant's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") (which can be obtained as described in "Additional Information" below), and include: general industry conditions and competition; economic conditions, such as interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; technological advances and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approvals; domestic and foreign health care reforms and governmental laws and regulations; and trends toward health care cost containment. Risks and uncertainties relating to the proposed transaction include: required regulatory approvals will not be obtained in a timely manner, if at all; the proposed transaction will not be consummated; the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction will not be realized; and the integration of Guidant's operations with Boston Scientific will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements, and therefore should be carefully considered. Neither Boston Scientific nor Guidant assumes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments.

Additional Information

Boston Scientific and Guidant have filed a definitive prospectus/joint proxy statement with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction. The material contained herein is not a substitute for the definitive prospectus/joint proxy statement or any other documents that Boston Scientific and Guidant have filed or will file with the SEC. Investors and security holders are urged to read the definitive prospectus/joint proxy statement and any other relevant documents filed or to be filed by Boston Scientific or Guidant, because they contain or will contain important information about the proposed transaction. The definitive prospectus/joint proxy statement is, and other documents filed or to be filed by Boston Scientific and Guidant with the SEC are or will be, available free of charge at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov/) or from Boston Scientific by directing a request to Boston Scientific Corporation, One Boston Scientific Place, Natick, Massachusetts 01760-1537, Attention: Milan Kofol, Investor Relations, or from Guidant by directing a request to Guidant Corporation, 111 Monument Circle, 29th Floor, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, Attention: Investor Relations.

Boston Scientific, Guidant and their respective directors, executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the security holders of Boston Scientific or Guidant in connection with the proposed transaction. Information about Boston Scientific's directors and executive officers is available in Boston Scientific's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and information about Guidant's directors and executive officers is available in Guidant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Additional information about the interests of potential participants is included in the definitive prospectus/joint proxy statement referred to above.

SOURCE: Boston Scientific Corporation

CONTACT: Milan Kofol, +1-508-650-8569, Investor Relations, or Paul
Donovan, +1-508-650-8541, Media Relations, both of Boston Scientific
Corporation

Web site: http://www.bostonscientific.com/