GDT Guidant Corp

We at Guidant Corporation (NYSE:GDT) take seriously the issues raised in the October 20 article in The New York Times titled: Behind Heart Implants, a History of Defects and a Repeated Error. Our concern first and foremost is for patients and their families who may be concerned by reading this article. We ask that cardiac device patients with any questions speak with their physicians about their specific therapy. Patients and physicians with questions about Guidant products should call 1-866-GUIDANT (patients and families) and 1-800-CARDIAC (physicians). Guidant has used polyimide insulation in a variety of applications for more than a decade. As the article stated, we have had no reports of shorting failures which inhibit therapy as a result of polyimide degradation in devices other than the sub-populations of PRIZM 2 DR, RENEWAL and RENEWAL 2 devices about which we have recently communicated. Our evaluations of product performance and our decisions about physician communications are and have always been based on patient safety. Any suggestion that we have not disclosed safety information because of financial concerns or our merger agreement with Johnson & Johnson is irresponsible and false. Guidant is working with outside experts, physician societies and regulatory agencies around the world to establish guidelines relating to physician communications about product performance reporting and safety. We are providing more performance information with greater frequency to better serve patients and the medical community. The benefits associated with the therapies Guidant provides are exceptional. Tens of thousands of people are alive today and hundreds of thousands of people feel better because of these therapies. That is a responsibility we do not take lightly. It fuels our dedication to continuous progress. Guidant Corporation pioneers lifesaving technology, giving an opportunity for better life today to millions of cardiac and vascular patients worldwide. The company, driven by a strong entrepreneurial culture of more than 12,000 employees, develops, manufactures and markets a broad array of products and services that enable less invasive care for some of life's most threatening medical conditions. For more information visit www.guidant.com. NOTE TO MEDIA: For more information about Guidant, including its products and services, please visit the company's newsroom at www.guidant.com/newsroom.