St. Jude Medical to Showcase New Cardiac Care Technologies During the 24th Annual North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology Scientific Sessions.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology Scientific Sessions

(NASPE)

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 13, 2003

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) will present innovative cardiac care technologies that are changing clinical practice during the 24th Annual Scientific Sessions of the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE) at the new Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. from May 14-17. St. Jude Medical is an industry leader in cardiac disease management with advanced pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), electrophysiology, cardiac surgery, cardiology and vascular closure products.

"The annual NASPE Scientific Sessions is the world's largest Congress on cardiac pacing, electrophysiology and arrhythmia management," said Joseph H. McCullough, President, St. Jude Medical International. "It draws an impressive number of attendees from around the world. We are excited for this opportunity to showcase St. Jude Medical's life-enhancing technologies and get feedback from our international colleagues."

"This is an excellent forum to apprise industry experts about our product innovations," added Michael T. Rousseau, President of St. Jude Medical's U.S. Sales organization. "Each year another 1.1 million Americans are diagnosed with heart disease, and about 300,000 people die from sudden cardiac arrest. Our products save and improve the lives of millions of people."

On Thursday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m., St. Jude Medical will conduct its 7th Annual Emerging Indications Symposium chaired by Eric Falkenberg, Senior Vice President of Global Research and Emerging Indications. This year's symposium will focus on sleep apnea and its relationship to cardiac comorbidities such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation and hypertension.

Many new St. Jude Medical products will be launched at NASPE:

-- The Epic(TM)+ ICD is the world's first ICD with AF

Suppression(TM) technology. The AF Suppression(TM) algorithm

is clinically proven to reduce AF burden.

-- The Identity(R) ADx family of pacemakers offers accelerated

diagnosis with new AT/AF burden diagnostics. These diagnostics

will help highlight the clinical contribution of St. Jude

Medical's AF Suppression(TM) technology, as well as

potentially aid in titration of anti-arrhythmic drug therapy

with patients who suffer from the debilitating effects of AF

(atrial fibrillation). The device uses St. Jude Medical's new

Fast Path(TM) software which allows physicians to spend more

time with their patients and less time programming the system.

-- The Isoflex(TM) family of bradycardia pacing leads features a

smaller diameter to allow use with a 7F introducer for ease of

implantation and a smaller tip electrode designed for higher

pacing impedances.

-- Riata(R) ICD leads, the world's thinnest ICD leads, are now

available in both single-coil and dual-coil, passive and

active fixation models to give physicians greater flexibility

in meeting the needs of each patient.

-- The Reflexion(TM) electrophysiology catheter platform provides

ergonomic, auto-lock technology that is lightweight and

perfectly balanced for smooth, one-hand control. A unique,

swing-motion actuator allows easy steering of the catheter tip

through its full range of motion. Available in Bi-directional

and Variable Radius.

-- Livewire Spiral HP(TM) deflectable circumferential mapping

catheters with 20 bipolar-spaced electrodes provide

exceptional resolution and precise steering. A high torque

shaft and soft, atraumatic tip allow easier placement at the

pulmonary veins.

-- Angio-Seal(TM) STS Plus is the natural evolution of vascular

closure, designed for smoother, easier arterial location and

the best possible patient outcome. Diagnostic patients

receiving a 6F Angio-Seal(TM) device can be ambulated in 20

minutes, and discharged 60 minutes after ambulation.

St. Jude Medical is also involved in ongoing research to further improve treatments for cardiac disease. On Thursday, May 15th at 11:45 a.m., preliminary results from recent QuickSite(TM) over-the-wire (OTW) left ventricular lead implants will be presented during the Implantable Devices II Oral Abstract Session. Results from the study of the use of St. Jude Medical's AutoCapture(TM) Pacing Systems in Neonates and Infants, showing improved device longevity, will be highlighted during the Poster Sessions. Results from the OASES (Overdrive Atrial SEptum Stimulation) Trial will be presented during Late Breaking Clinical Trials on Saturday, May 17th, at 8:15 a.m. Other research projects involving St. Jude Medical will also be presented.

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 Financial Section of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 (see pages 6-8). Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

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 unmatched clinical performance and demonstrated economic value.