IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - December 23, 2008) - Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW), a world leader in products and technologies to treat advanced cardiovascular disease, announced today it will voluntarily disclose financial relationships with U.S. physicians starting in 2009.

"Edwards has always been proud of its relationships with clinicians, which led to the development of the first commercially available artificial heart valve and the establishment of our company 50 years ago. Medical innovation is dependent on these physician partnerships, and we believe that bringing transparency to these relationships will help the public better understand the critical role they play in the advancement of medical technology and patient care," said Michael A. Mussallem, Edwards' chairman and CEO.

Edwards plans to begin posting on a page on its web site its financial relationships with physicians who receive $5,000 or more a year in consulting fees, royalties or honoraria from Edwards. The company will begin targeted tracking of this data on January 1, 2009, and will publish it annually beginning in the second half of 2009.

"We've been supportive of federal legislation that would require all companies to disclose this information. As we build the systems to improve tracking and reporting of this kind of information, we anticipate implementing an even more comprehensive disclosure policy in future years. In the meantime, we hope that launching this voluntary program in advance of a federal mandate can help inform the debate as we learn from our experience," said Mussallem.

About Edwards Lifesciences

Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader in the science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Edwards treats advanced cardiovascular disease with its market-leading heart valve therapies, and critical care and vascular technologies. In 2008, Edwards celebrates 50 years of partnering with clinicians to develop life-saving innovations. The company's global brands, which are sold in approximately 100 countries, include CardioVations, Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, FloTrac, Fogarty, PERIMOUNT Magna and Swan-Ganz. Additional company information can be found at http://www.edwards.com.

Edwards is a trademark of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. Edwards Lifesciences, the stylized E logo, Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, FloTrac, Fogarty, Magna, PERIMOUNT Magna and Swan-Ganz are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation and are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. CardioVations is a trademark of Edwards Lifesciences AG and is registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.