St. Jude Medical Announces Launch of EnSite(R) System 5.1 Software and EnSite Verismo(TM) Segmentation Tool; New Capabilities Enhance Speed and Flexibility of Visualization and Navigation During Electrophysiology Procedures.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) today announced the launch of the EnSite(R) System Version 5.1 Software and the EnSite Verismo(TM) Segmentation Tool for use during electrophysiology (EP) procedures. The EnSite(R) System, a computer-based system designed to facilitate procedures to treat irregular heartbeats, was included in St. Jude Medical's acquisition of Endocardial Solutions, Inc. (ESI) in January 2005.

"The introduction of EnSite(R) System Version 5.1 is a significant advance in 3-D navigation and visualization technology," said Jane J. Song, President of the St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division. "Combined with the EnSite Verismo(TM) Segmentation Tool, this upgrade will provide greater clinical value for physicians through increased speed, flexibility and control during procedures. These capabilities are a critical element of effective EP procedures."

The EnSite 5.1 Software features MultiPoint(TM) technology, which is designed to increase the speed and efficiency of cardiac mapping procedures. The EnSite Verismo(TM) Segmentation Tool uses CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans to build 3D cardiac models which assist in procedure planning, geometry creation, and validation of therapy delivery.

Using the EnSite(R) System, electrophysiology clinicians can create 3-dimensional models of their patients' cardiac anatomy during EP procedures and navigate the catheters used in those procedures. The system then collects and organizes activation and voltage data from the inner surface of the heart, allowing physicians to visualize arrhythmias on the 3-D model and determine a treatment strategy.

MultiPoint(TM) technology, a feature unique to EnSite(R) System Version 5.1 Software, enables collection of data from up to 64 electrodes on 12 catheters at one time. This feature can significantly improve procedural efficiency and flexibility, gathering and displaying more information in a shorter period of time. Low-Voltage Identification is another new feature in the software, allowing users to control how voltage data from the inner surface of the cardiac chamber is displayed and helping to validate therapy delivery.

The EnSite Verismo(TM) Segmentation Tool is a new software program that allows clinicians to transform 2-dimensional CT or MRI scans into 3-D models for use with the EnSite(R) System. These models can then be segmented into individual cardiac chambers or vessels, providing highly accurate representations on which to base an EP procedure.

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (www.sjm.com) is dedicated to the design, manufacture and distribution of innovative medical devices of the highest quality, offering physicians, patients and payers outstanding clinical performance and demonstrated economic value.

St. Jude Medical's Atrial Fibrillation business is committed to leadership in the development of curative therapies for atrial fibrillation through innovation technologies, procedures and clinical studies that will result in clinically reproducible and economically compelling treatment options.

Any statements made regarding the Company's anticipated future product launches, regulatory approvals, revenues, earnings, market shares, and potential clinical success are forward-looking statements which are subject to risks and uncertainties, such as those described in the Financial Section of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (see page 16). Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.