NATICK, Mass., April 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced that enrollment has begun in its MAPS™ clinical trial. The MAPS trial (Matrix And Platinum Science) is designed to identify and investigate clinically relevant endpoints for evaluating the efficacy and durability of endovascular treatment of brain aneurysms. Patients will be randomized to receive either Matrix2® Detachable Coils or GDC® Detachable Coils. Boston Scientific manufactures GDC coils, the first bare-platinum detachable coil cleared for aneurysm treatment, as well as Matrix2 coils, which are covered with a polyglycolic- polylactic acid (PGLA) bio-polymer shown to improve treatment durability in preclinical studies.

The trial's primary endpoint is target aneurysm recurrence (TAR), which is a composite endpoint comprised of target aneurysm reintervention, target aneurysm rupture or re-rupture or death. The first patient was enrolled and treated on March 29 at the Healtheast Neurovascular Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul, MN by Michael Madison, M.D., and James Goddard M.D., who will be joined in the trial by partners Jeff Lassig, M.D., and Mark Myers, M.D. The MAPS trial is a prospective, multi-center study that is designed to randomize approximately 630 patients at 50 global centers for treatment of brain aneurysms.

"It is gratifying to achieve this milestone of first patient enrollment," said Cameron McDougall, M.D., Chief, Endovascular Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, and Co-Principal Investigator of the MAPS Trial. "Not only is this trial important in its own right, but it further demonstrates that multidisciplinary aneurysm trials can and will help define the future of aneurysm treatment."

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/.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Boston Scientific wishes to caution the reader of this press release that actual results may differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and may be adversely affected by, among other things, risks associated with new product development and commercialization, clinical trials, intellectual property, regulatory approvals, competitive offerings, integration of acquired companies, Boston Scientific's overall business strategy, and other factors described in Boston Scientific's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

  CONTACT:

  Paul Donovan
  508-650-8541 (office)
  508-667-5165 (mobile)
  Media Relations
  Boston Scientific Corporation

  Dan Brennan
  508-650-8538 (office)
  617-459-2703 (mobile)
  Investor Relations
  Boston Scientific Corporation

SOURCE: Boston Scientific Corporation

CONTACT: Media Relations, Paul Donovan, office, +1-508-650-8541, mobile,
+1-508-667-5165; or Investor Relations, Dan Brennan, office, +1-508-650-8538,
mobile, +1-617-459-2703, both of Boston Scientific Corporation

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