Medtronic Announces Key Activities at American College of Cardiology Scientific Session; Three Late-Breaking Clinical Trials Highlight Company's Involvement

American College of Cardiology Scientific Session

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 2005--Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) today announced its schedule of key sessions and activities at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Session, to be held Mar. 6 - 9, 2005, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The 54th Annual Scientific Session will include three Late-Breaking Clinical Trials presentations involving new data from clinical trials using Medtronic technologies, including Medtronic's drug-coated stent program, cardiac resynchronization therapy and its implantable hemodynamic monitor. "

ACC will be a significant meeting for Medtronic, as important clinical trial data will be presented using Medtronic technologies across a variety of cardiology applications," said Bill Hawkins, Medtronic President and Chief Operating Officer. "These late-breaking presentations on our ENDEAVOR II, CARE-HF and COMPASS-HF clinical trials, together with other Medtronic-supported scientific presentations and events at ACC, provide a perspective on the depth of Medtronic's commitment to identifying solutions for the care of patients with heart disease."

Here are the daily highlights:

Saturday, March 5

-- Educational Symposium(1), 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Royal Pacific Resort, "Enter the Drug-Eluting Stent Revolution IV: A Critical Appraisal." Sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation with funding from Medtronic, this program will include a session at 3:35 p.m. on Medtronic's Endeavor DES system with the drug ABT-578, presented by Dr. David Kandzari

-- Educational Symposium(1), 2 - 4 p.m., Rosen Centre Hotel, "Turning the Tide on Heart Failure Outcomes." Presentations will highlight the clinical significance of SCD-HeFT results; the role for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in heart failure management; and the use of quality of care models and device therapy in heart failure care. Symposium faculty includes Dr. Clyde Yancy, Dr. Gregg Fonarow, Dr. Eric Prystowsky and Dr. Leslie Saxon.

-- Educational Symposium(1), 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., Renaissance Orlando Resort at Sea World, "A New Paradigm in Volume Management for Heart Failure." Presentations from 7:30 - 9:15 p.m. will focus on heart failure congestion and the innovative Medtronic InSync Sentry(TM) system, featuring Dr. William Abraham, Dr. Dwight Reynolds, Dr. Cheuk-Man Yu and Medtronic scientist Dr. Robert Stadler.

Sunday, March 6

-- Late-Breaking Clinical Trial, 5:15 p.m., Orange County Convention Center, Hall A. This presentation of ENDEAVOR II Pivotal Clinical Trial data by Dr. William Wijns and Dr. Jean Fajadet will provide key information on the Medtronic Endeavor Drug-Eluting Coronary Stent system.

-- Analyst and Media Briefing/Webcast(1), 6 p.m., Rosen Centre Hotel. This analyst and media event will provide a discussion of the ENDEAVOR II results following the late-breaking clinical trials session. It features Medtronic President and COO Bill Hawkins, Medtronic Vascular President Scott Ward, and a panel of key-opinion leader physicians in the world of drug-eluting stents.

Monday, March 7

-- Late-Breaking Clinical Trial, 9:45 a.m., Orange County Convention Center, Hall A. This presentation of the landmark CARE-HF study results conducted in Europe will provide key information on the mortality and morbidity effects of CRT on moderate and severe heart failure patients.

Tuesday, March 8

-- Late-Breaking Clinical Trial, 9 a.m., Orange County Convention Center, Hall A. A presentation of COMPASS-HF results will provide information about the impact of Medtronic's implantable hemodynamic monitor (currently used as an investigational device) on aspects of managing moderate and severe heart failure in this study population.

In addition, Medtronic will occupy three booth spaces on the ACC exhibit floor. The main Medtronic booth is #2263 in Hall B/C, and its Vitatron subsidiary will occupy booth #2881. Medtronic will feature its Medtronic Therapy and Procedure Training Center Mobile Unit in space #1589, an 80 foot-long semi truck where visitors can try advanced simulation systems that replicate the implantation of medical devices used to treat heart failure and heart rhythm disturbances.

Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is the world's leading medical technology company, providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease. Its Internet address is www.medtronic.com.

(1) These events are not part of the official ACC Annual Scientific Session as planned by the Annual Scientific Session Program Committee (ASSPC).

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2004. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

CONTACT:

Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis

Investor Relations:

Rachael Scherer, 763-505-2694

Chris King, 763-505-2695

Public Relations (CRM):

Valerie Lind, 763-505-2631

Public Relations (Vascular):

Rob Clark, 707-591-7979