INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2006--Guidant Corporation (NYSE:GDT) today announced that management believes preliminary, unaudited fourth quarter sales will be approximately $828 million, reflecting a decline of approximately 15 percent versus the fourth quarter of 2004. Preliminary, unaudited U.S. and worldwide implantable defibrillator sales for the quarter are expected to be approximately $272 million and $372 million, representing declines of 23 percent and 19 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2004. Fourth quarter sales are expected to be above the Company’s previously announced guidance of $790 million to $820 million due primarily to higher U.S. implantable defibrillator sales.
