St. Jude Medical to Highlight Broad Portfolio of Innovative Medical Technologies at Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) will demonstrate its broad range of cardiac care technologies--including advanced cardiac visualization and navigation technology, a surgical cardiac ablation system, and a full line of catheter-based diagnostic and therapeutic products--at the Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium, January 13 - 14, 2006.

St. Jude Medical supports this important clinical meeting annually in order to advance the study and management of atrial fibrillation (AF) throughout the world. Atrial fibrillation is a debilitating condition characterized by the rapid, unsynchronized quivering of the heart's atria (upper chambers). AF is the world's most common cardiac arrhythmia, affecting more than 6 million people worldwide.

In addition to presenting its extensive product lines, St. Jude Medical is sponsoring several events at this year's Boston AF Symposium, including:

--  Shaping the Future of Atrial Fibrillation Management
        Warren M. Jackman, M.D. and Pierre Jais, M.D., along with St.
        Jude Medical, are hosting an educational symposium that will
        feature numerous experts in the field of atrial fibrillation.
        The speakers include some of the most well-respected
        physicians in this field, such as: Shih-Ann Chen, M.D.; Andrea
        Natale, M.D.; Matthias Antz, M.D.; Koonlawee Nademanee, M.D.;
        Benjamin Sherlag, M.D.; and Hiroshi Nakagawa, M.D. Topics will
        cover current treatment options as well as the potential of
        future modalities.

    --  Extreme High-Altitude Medicine
        NASA astronaut and physician Scott E. Parazynski, M.D. will
        discuss the intricacies of medicine in space. The event, which
        will be held at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston, will
        allow attendees to gain a new perspective on the state of
        medicine today, and what it may entail in the future.

"St. Jude Medical is proud to play a role in the success of the Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium," said Jane J. Song, President of St. Jude Medical's Atrial Fibrillation Division. "It is a unique opportunity for focused discussion and discovery surrounding this prevalent disease, bringing together international leaders in AF treatment and allowing them to collaborate on how to bring more effective products and techniques to patients around the world."

St. Jude Medical will demonstrate a complete line of products for access, diagnosis, visualization, and therapy at Booth #529. Featured products will include:

--The EnSite(R) System Version 5.1, which provides outstanding speed and flexibility for the electrophysiology (EP) lab with MultiPoint(TM) Technology--a function that allows physicians to gather voltage and activation data with greater speed and efficiency.

--EnSite Verismo(TM) Segmentation Software, which uses CT and MRI slice data to quickly create accurate 3-dimensional models of patient cardiac anatomy.

--The Agilis(TM) Steerable Introducer, which offers outstanding agility and stability, and with appropriate therapeutic catheters, helps create precise cardiac ablation lesions. It also offers a steering mechanism to allow micro-movements with an ablation catheter, along with atraumatic and radiopaque tip markers designed to facilitate safe movement within the atria.

--The IBI-1500T6 Cardiac Ablation Generator and Therapy(TM) Electrophysiology Catheters, recently launched in the U.S. market, which further expand St. Jude Medical's therapeutic EP portfolio. The 100-watt IBI-1500T6 generator offers a user-friendly programming platform and monitors all critical performance variables. The Therapy(TM) Dual-8(TM) Ablation Catheters are designed with an 8mm tip electrode containing dual-temperature sensors for enhanced temperature control when creating long, linear lesions. The 4mm tip Therapy(TM) Ablation Catheters offer a reliable and accurate single-sensor temperature monitoring system for the treatment of supraventricular tachycardias. Both catheter models provide six distinct curve sizes for varying patient anatomies and procedure locations, and a comfortable, ergonomic steering mechanism(1).

--The 150-watt 1500T8 Cardiac Ablation Generator(2) with Remote Control(2), available in selected international markets, which introduces outstanding temperature control, versatility, and safety. The remote control console includes a rotary knob that facilitates parameter selection and adjustment. Connected via a 20-foot cable, the console allows for remote, simultaneous operation of the T8 generator and B. Braun Infusomat(R)(3) Pump, allowing two-way, pump-to-generator communication. This enhanced system accommodates the Therapy(TM) family of catheters, including the Cool Path(TM) Irrigated Tip Ablation Catheter(2).

St. Jude Medical is dedicated to making life better for cardiac, neurological and chronic pain patients worldwide through excellence in medical device technology and services. The company has five major focus areas that include: cardiac rhythm management, atrial fibrillation, cardiac surgery, cardiology, and neuromodulation. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota, the company employs nearly 10,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.sjm.com.

Any statements made regarding St. Jude Medical'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 Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 8, 2005 (see page 35). Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

(1) For distribution and sale in the U.S. only

(2) Not available in the U.S.

(3) Infusomat(R) is a registered trademark of B. Braun Medical Inc.