GUIDANT ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF WIRELESS HEART SYSTEM

Guidant recently announced the U.S. launch of its Contak Renewal 3RF cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D), along with its decision to package its CRT-D and Latitude Patient Management tool as one integrated system.

The CRT-D is the company's first wireless implantable device. The Lattitude tool includes a communicator and a website that allows doctors to remotely monitor the device's operation, the company says.

"Patients with Contak Renewal 3RF and their physicians can now receive the benefits of the Latitude Patient Management system whenever it is ordered by the physician," said John Russell, vice president and general manager for Guidant's Patient Management business.