NATICK, Mass. (Map) - NATICK, Mass., May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced a new clinical science initiative, ALTITUDE, which will analyze data(1) from the LATITUDE(R) Patient Management system. The initiative will use the substantial LATITUDE data to seek answers to common questions related to implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) device therapy. The ALTITUDE initiative will be managed in collaboration with an external physician panel of thought leaders who will assist in identifying relevant clinical issues for examination.

Boston Scientific has enrolled nearly 100,000 patients on the LATITUDE Patient Management system since its introduction in 2006, making it the most rapidly adopted remote cardiac device monitoring system in the industry. The LATITUDE system allows physicians to schedule remote check-ups of implantable cardiac devices to monitor specific device information and patient heart health status. It can also detect clinical events between scheduled follow-up visits and send relevant data directly to physicians. This regular in-home monitoring offers convenience and peace of mind for patients.

"The ALTITUDE clinical science initiative will enhance physician understanding of device therapy in real-world practice and offer insights into event rates and disease progression in the ICD and CRT-D patient populations," said Leslie Saxon, M.D., F.A.C.C., Chief, Cardiovascular Medicine in the Cardiovascular and Thoracic Institute, University of Southern California, and chairperson of the ALTITUDE physician panel. "We look forward to beginning our analysis and sharing the findings of this pioneering effort."

The ALTITUDE clinical science initiative supplements similar Boston Scientific programs, including RAPID-RF, which evaluates the clinical outcomes associated with remote patient monitoring, and the Longitudinal Surveillance Registry, which evaluates the long-term reliability and clinical performance of device therapy.

"These initiatives represent Boston Scientific's ongoing commitment to share the clinical value of data gathered by the LATITUDE system," said Fred Colen, Executive Vice President, Operations and Technology, CRM. "ALTITUDE adds to our history of delivering sound science that advances therapy options for physicians and provides clinical benefit to patients."

Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. For more information, please visit: www.bostonscientific.com.

    (1) Analysis of aggregate de-identified LATITUDE Patient Management System
        data as of 5/13/08. Data on file.

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