Guidant Announces European CE Mark and First Implant of Next-Generation Implantable Defibrillator; VITALITY AVT Offers Complete Ventricular and Atrial Therapy Options.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. & BRUSSELS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2003

Guidant Corporation (NYSE:GDT)(PCX:GDT), a world leader in the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease, announced European CE Mark and first human implant for its next-generation implantable defibrillator family--the VITALITY(TM) AVT implantable cardiovertor defibrillator (ICD) system. VITALITY AVT is the latest addition to the VITALITY family of premium ICDs and offers complete ventricular and atrial therapy options while maintaining world-class size and longevity.

"Building on the technology, intellectual property, and know-how gained in our acquisition of InControl, we are now able to enhance the VITALITY family of ICDs by adding revolutionary atrial management solutions," said Fred McCoy, president, Cardiac Rhythm Management, Guidant. "VITALITY AVT is designed to offer complete ventricular and atrial therapy options without compromise."

At 30cc, the VITALITY AVT is the smallest dual-chamber full-featured ICD in the world. It combines leading, automatic ventricular and atrial therapies with three-channel energy-efficient FullView(TM) EGM capability that is important in customizing treatment for ICD patients. With VITALITY AVT, physicians are no longer forced to compromise when choosing an ICD that provides both ventricular and atrial therapies.

The first implant of the VITALITY AVT defibrillator was conducted by Priv.-Doz. Dr. Joachim Winter, cardiac surgeon, and Priv.-Doz. Dr. Christian Perings, cardiologist and electrophysiologist, at the University Hospital Dusseldorf in Dusseldorf, Germany, on Tuesday, January 14, 2003.

"The VITALITY AVT system allows me to offer my patients an ICD that is the best actual combination of size, longevity, therapy, and diagnostics available," commented Dr. Perings. "The VITALITY AVT offers a full atrial therapy feature set that can be used to help treat those ICD patients who have, or may develop, atrial arrhythmias."

Guidant remains committed to bringing forward the most advanced pacing and defibrillation technologies. Results from recent trials have suggested that unnecessary pacing in the right ventricle may have harmful effects on the heart. Guidant remains the only company in the industry to offer AV Search Hysteresis, a feature specifically designed to reduce unnecessary pacing of the right ventricle by periodically searching for the heart's intrinsic rhythm. Further, Guidant offers AV Search Hysteresis in all of its dual chamber ICDs, now including VITALITY AVT.

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 10,000 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.