Medtronic Announces U.S. Introduction of EnTrust(TM) Family of Implantable Defibrillators; Innovative Features Redefine ICDs as Painless, Lifesaving Therapy.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) today announced the U.S. introduction of the Medtronic EnTrust(TM) implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). The EnTrust single- and dual-chamber devices expand the company's premium line of industry-leading defibrillators, which are designed to treat patients with abnormally fast and potentially life-threatening heartbeats (ventricular tachycardia or VT) that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The EnTrust ICD family was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on June 14, 2005.

The EnTrust family of devices challenges the notion that ICDs must deliver a shock to stop a dangerous heart rhythm. EnTrust is the first ICD to offer ATP During Charging(TM), a Medtronic-exclusive feature that automatically uses pacing pulses to painlessly stop fast, dangerous heartbeats, while concurrently preparing to deliver a shock if needed, with no delay.

Recent clinical studies have shown that 90 percent of fast heart rhythms have the potential to be terminated by pacing alone. The use of this painless anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) to stop fast heartbeats has been clinically proven to eliminate three out of four shocks with painless therapy, potentially improving patient quality of life.

"An ICD can be an absolute lifesaver for its recipient, yet the possibility of a shock always hovers over the patient," said David M. Steinhaus, M.D., executive medical director of the St. Luke's Mid America Heart Institute, Kansas City, Mo. "The ATP During Charging feature offers patients the comfort of painlessly terminating dangerous ventricular heart rhythms, and the experience of fewer unnecessary shocks. Yet if a patient should need a shock, there is no delay in therapy. That peace of mind is priceless."

In addition, the EnTrust dual-chamber ICD helps reduce inappropriate therapy by better identifying episodes of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), which may ensure that patients receive appropriate shocks.

The dual-chamber version also incorporates an innovative pacing mode called MVP(TM), or Managed Ventricular Pacing, which promotes natural heart activity by significantly reducing unnecessary pacing in the heart's lower right chamber (ventricle). This Medtronic-exclusive algorithm can reduce the amount of ventricular pacing to a median of 0.1 percent, compared to 50 percent or more with typical dual-chamber ICDs. This provides an important patient benefit since previous studies have shown that unnecessary pacing in the right ventricle can increase the risk for heart failure and atrial fibrillation. MVP has been available in several Medtronic pacemakers and defibrillators since 2004.

"The advanced and exclusive features of the EnTrust ICD represent Medtronic's commitment to providing alternative painless therapies and reducing inappropriate shocks through innovative product development," said Steve Mahle, president of Medtronic Cardiac Rhythm Management. "EnTrust provides a comprehensive ICD therapy solution focused on patient-centered therapies, which may lead to greater patient benefits."

Many abnormally rapid heartbeats can deteriorate into a life-threatening condition called ventricular fibrillation, the major cause of SCA. Taking the lives of up to 335,000 people each year, SCA is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Approximately 1.6 million people in the United States are at risk of SCA and eligible for ICD therapy. ICDs have been proven to be 98 percent effective in treating the rapid rhythms that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest.

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 29, 2005. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.