Guidant Announces European Approval of Innovative Heart Failure Lead; Advanced Lead is Designed to Enable Physicians to Overcome Challenging Left Ventricular Anatomy

"In my experience, the ACUITY Steerable lead with the use of thestylet has enabled me to place the lead where I want to have it evenin very difficult anatomies," said Dr. Martin Desaga, Amper KlinikenDachau, near Munich, Germany.

Since Guidant introduced bipolar left ventricular leads in Europein 2002, physicians have rapidly and overwhelmingly adopted thistechnology. Approximately 90 percent of procedures involving a cardiacresynchronization therapy product from Guidant's RENEWAL(R) family ofdevices now also include bipolar leads.

"Guidant has a track record of recognizing the needs of physiciansand the patients that they serve," said Fred McCoy, president, CardiacRhythm Management, Guidant Corporation. "This important addition toour heart failure lead family underscores our commitment to meaningfulinnovation."

"Delivery of the LV lead where you prescribe it, and not where youcan get it, is one of the most critical aspects of any cardiacresynchronization therapy system implant," said Dr. Stephen Mester,Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida, who served as principalinvestigator for the ACUITY Steerable clinical trial.

Guidant expects to launch the ACUITY Steerable lead in the UnitedStates in 2006, pending Food and Drug Administration approval.

Guidant Corporation pioneers lifesaving technology, giving anopportunity for better life today to millions of cardiac and vascularpatients worldwide. The Company develops, manufactures and markets abroad array of products and services that enable less invasive carefor some of life's most threatening medical conditions. For moreinformation, visit www.guidant.com.

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