Guidant announces release of VENTAKP2 advanced generation cardiac arrhythmia control device and VIGOR SSI pacemaker system in the United States.

INDIANAPOLIS--(HealthWire)--March 10, 1995--Guidant Corporation (NYSE and PSE: GDT) today announced that its CPI business unit has received U.S. market release of the VENTAK(R) P2 AICD(TM) Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator system and the VIGOR(R) SSI pacemaker system.

The system includes the VENTAK P2 pulse generator, the ENDOTAK(R) lead and the Model 2035 handheld programmer, which is used to program the device and assist in patient follow-up. The pulse generator is an advanced cardiac arrhythmia management device that offers therapies for controlling life-threatening rapid heart rhythms (tachycardia) as well as treatment of slow heartbeats (bradycardia).

The VIGOR SSI pacemaker system uses the same Model 2035 handheld programmer that is used for all CPI pacemaker systems and for the VENTAK P2 described above.

A multi-therapy device, the VENTAK P2 provides cardioversion and defibrillation (higher energy pulses that are used to terminate life-threatening rapid heart rhythms) and bradycardia pacing (to speed up a heart that is beating too slow). The device also provides a complete patient history file and advanced features, such as diagnostic-quality electrogram capability and a biphasic waveform that is designed to lessen the amount of energy to correct a too-rapid heart rhythm.

``Guidant is very pleased to announce the market release of the VENTAK P2/ENDOTAK defibrillation system and the VIGOR SSI pacemaker,'' said Jay Graf, president of CPI and a Guidant vice president. ``The VIGOR SSI complements the already successful VIGOR DDD pacemaker, providing physician customers with a single-chamber addition to the successful VIGOR family of products. VIGOR SSI provides improved therapy and advanced diagnostics compared to competitive market-released products in this segment.

``The VENTAK P2 provides the physician with a variety of patient management tools via our diagnostic-quality stored electrograms, which are used by physicians to monitor treatment of a patient's arrhythmia(s),'' continued Graf. ``VENTAK P2 also introduces to the market the next generation of biphasic waveforms, a sophisticated energy delivery system that makes implants of systems safer for the patient and, in most cases, less invasive, since nearly all patients can benefit from a single lead defibrillation system, avoiding additional implant surgery.''

CPI gained FDA approval of the world's first AICD automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator product in 1985 and, since that time, more than 50,000 devices have been implanted worldwide. CPI's family of VENTAK AICD systems treat patients who experience life-threatening rapid heart rhythms by automatically providing a defibrillation pulse to restore the normal heart rhythm.

An AICD system implant consists of a pulse generator and lead(s) that continuously monitor heart activity. CPI implantable defibrillators are implanted using the CPI ENDOTAK lead system, in which a single catheter lead is inserted into the heart through a vein. CPI received full market approval for the ENDOTAK lead system in August 1993, making it the world's first single lead defibrillation system.

A leader in the medical device industry, Guidant Corporation provides innovative, cost-effective products and services to the global cardiology and minimally invasive surgery marketplaces. Guidant comprises Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (ACS), Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. (CPI), Devices for Vascular Intervention, Inc. (DVI), Heart Rhythm Technologies, Inc. (HRT), and Origin Medsystems, Inc. CPI manufactures heart pacemaker systems, AICD automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators, lead systems and related products.

CONTACT: Guidant

David W. Pomfret, 317/276-6765

CPI

Carol A. Lindahl, 612/582-4461