Defibrillators

Worldwide sales of the drug-eluting coronary stent systems for the first quarter of 2007 were $468 million as compared to $633 million for the first quarter of 2006, and $506 million for the fourth quarter of 2006.

The Guidant deal also included an agreement with Abbott Laboratories (ABT, 57.00, -0.21) to divest Guidant's vascular intervention and endovascular businesses.

In the latest quarter, Boston Scientific incurred SG&A costs of $735 million compared to only $470 million last year, partially due to acquisition-related costs.

In December, BSX and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ, 64.66 -0.09) told the U.S.

Food and Drug Administration that their products are safe for a broad range of patients, despite the fact that research has shown that stents may cause blood clots months after implantation.

An FDA panel soon after said the benefits of drug-coated stents appeared to outweigh their risks as long as they are used as intended.

The company said second quarter earnings per share are expected to be $0.15 to $0.20, excluding items, versus consensus of $0.22.

Second quarter revenues are anticipated to fall in a range of $2.0 billion to $2.1 billion (consensus $2.12 billion).

-Christine Marie Nielsen, ...

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