Guidant Announces Worldwide Market Release of PRIZM 2; World's Smallest, Most Advanced, Dual-Chamber Implantable Defibrillation System.

Business Editors, Health & Medical Writers

INDIANAPOLIS & ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BW HealthWire)--Nov. 8, 2000

Guidant Corporation (NYSE:GDT)(PCX:GDT) today announced worldwide market release of the world's smallest, thinnest, dual-chamber pacemaker/defibrillator -- the VENTAK(R) PRIZM(TM) 2 AICD automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator system.

"We are excited to have PRIZM 2 join our successful PRIZM family of implantable defibrillators. Together these devices provide our customers with three dual-chamber systems smaller than the 40-cc benchmark," said Fred McCoy, president of Guidant's Cardiac Rhythm Management Group. "We are excited to now initiate worldwide market release."

"The PRIZM 2 device, yet again, demonstrates our technology leadership," stated Mark Bartell, president of Guidant Sales Corporation of the United States. "Within 9 months, our customers have seen a complete transformation of Guidant's AICD product line including the speed and performance of the ZOOM(TM) Programming System and the reliability of the recently approved ENDOTAK(R) RELIANCE(TM) defibrillation lead. As we expand our sales organization, we anticipate many more patients will benefit from this unequalled offering of technology choices."

"PRIZM 2 is over 20% smaller than its nearest competitor and will outlast any competitor's smallest dual-chamber device under the same conditions," added Guido Neels, president of Guidant Europe, Canada, Middle East and Africa. "In addition, clinicians appreciate that many of the PRIZM 2 ease-of-use features will now be available to all future and previously implanted PRIZM and PRIZM HE (high energy) devices."

The PRIZM 2 system is designed to treat patients at risk of life-threatening ventricular heart rhythms. Patients with fast heart rhythms can experience symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting or near fainting if the heart beats too fast to circulate blood effectively. Collapse and sudden cardiac death can follow unless medical help is provided immediately. The PRIZM 2 device is implanted under the skin near the collarbone to continuously monitor the patient's heart rhythm and deliver therapy when needed.

"Many patients will benefit from this device's small, thin shape, as well as its longevity," said John M. Morgan, M.D., Wessex Cardiothoracic Centre, U. K. "Also, physicians and their staff will enjoy the speed of this device's software on ZOOM because it will save valuable time during implants and patient visits to the clinic."

The PRIZM 2 device provides physicians with a small, thin physiologic shape specifically designed for patient comfort, unmatched device longevity for cost effective AICD therapy, and many new ease-of-use features for saving clinician's time at implant and office follow-ups. Industry-unique benefits of the PRIZM 2 device include:

-- Automatic, customizable Daily Measurements for complete monitoring of system
integrity for greater patient safety.

-- Patient Triggered Monitor for holter-like patient-triggered data storage to
help ease patient anxiety related to unexplained symptoms by helping the
clinician determine if the symptoms are cardiac related.

-- Electrocautery Mode for management of patients during surgery with
intermittent or complete heart block.

The VENTAK PRIZM 2 system is the third member in a family of sophisticated, full-featured, dual-chamber pacing/defibrillation devices introduced by Guidant since January 2000.

A global leader in the medical technology industry, Guidant provides innovative, minimally invasive and cost-effective products and services for the treatment of cardiovascular and vascular disease. For more information on Guidant's products and services, visit the company's web site at www.guidant.com.