NATICK, Mass., April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) has received FDA approval for its latest generation of defibrillators and heart failure devices designed to advance patient care. The newly approved devices include the DYNAGEN™ MINI and INOGEN™ MINI ICDs, as well as the DYNAGEN™ X4 and INOGEN™ X4 CRT-Ds.

The X4 line of quadripolar CRT-Ds offers 70 percent more pacing options to address high capture thresholds and phrenic nerve stimulation effectively, along with the largest battery capacity in the industry. These newly approved devices continue the Boston Scientific history of industry-leading projected longevity and a six-year CRT-D warranty.

Extending the Boston Scientific portfolio of defibrillators, the ICDs in the MINI family are the world's smallest and thinnest devices and are designed for patient comfort. The small dimensions of the MINI ICD are up to 20 percent smaller by volume and up to 24 percent thinner than competitive devices from other manufacturers.^[i]

"The tiny size of the MINI ICD provides a real benefit to some patients, in particular those with a smaller frame," said Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Trappe from University Marien Hospital Herne, Hospital of Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany. "The MINI ICD not only improves patient comfort, but also provides these patients with innovative technology to help treat life-threatening arrhythmias of the heart."

"With these new devices and our current line of long-lasting ICDs and CRT-Ds, including the world's only subcutaneous ICD, we believe we offer the very best range of options for patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest with or without the need for cardiac resynchronization therapy," said Joe Fitzgerald, executive vice president and president for the Rhythm Management division of Boston Scientific. "Our devices simply offer more options to improve outcomes, reduce complications and lower the costs of treating patients."

ICDs and CRT-Ds are designed to treat patients suffering from heart failure and/or to provide protection to patients at risk of sudden cardiac death.  Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's need for blood and oxygen.^[ii] Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a sudden, unexpected death caused by loss of heart function and is a leading cause of death. Nearly 400,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur annually in the United States.^[iii]

About Boston Scientific
Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world.  As a global medical technology leader for more than 30 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of healthcare.  For more information, visit www.bostonscientific.com and connect on Twitter and Facebook.

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CONTACT:
Nisha Deo
508-652-5609 (office)
Corporate Affairs & Communications
Boston Scientific Corporation
[email protected]

Susie Lisa, CFA
508-652-5345 (office)
Investor Relations
Boston Scientific Corporation
[email protected]

^[i] Based upon relevant Clinician Manuals; Boston Scientific MINI VR ICDs: 26.5cc volume and 9.9mm thickness.  Medtronic Evera VR ICD: 33cc volume and 13mm thickness.
^[ii] American Heart Association: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartFailure/AboutHeartFailure/About-Heart-Failure_UCM_002044_Article.jsp; content was last reviewed on 08/20/2012.
^[iii] American Heart Association: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/MyHeartandStrokeNews/Heart-Attack-or-Sudden-Cardiac-Arrest-How-Are-They-Different_UCM_440804_Article.jsp; content was last updated on 5/14/2013.

SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation