[December 21, 2011]

St. Jude Medical Launches Riata Communication Website

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ), a global medical device company, today announced that it has launched a Riata Lead Communication website at RiataCommunication.com. The new website is dedicated to providing physicians a compilation of important communications and updated information regarding the recent Riata® and Riata® ST Silicone Defibrillation Leads Class I recall.

"We recognize that the phenomenon of externalized conductors may present a complex patient management scenario for physicians and we have initiated a prospective study to better understand this failure mechanism," said Dr. Mark Carlson, chief medical officer and senior vice president of research and clinical affairs for the St. Jude Medical Cardiac Rhythm Management Division. "As part of our ongoing commitment to regularly update the medical and patient community on the performance of our products, we are providing this Riata Lead Communication website to help communicate all available information, including information from this study, other studies and any relevant additional information, in a timely and consolidated manner."

In collaboration with an independent Medical Advisory Board, St. Jude Medical has initiated a prospective clinical study to help guide any future recommendations from the company regarding patient management. A minimum of 500 patients with Rata or Riata ST silicone insulation leads of varying implant duration will undergo proactive fluoroscopy to determine if a conductor is externalized. In patients with externalized conductors, electrical performance of the leads will be assessed every three months for two years. First enrollment in the study occurred this month.

St. Jude Medical is committed to keeping customers informed about product performance. The Riata Lead Communication website will launch with the current public information available from the company today. As additional information is gathered, through the Riata Lead Evaluation Study or other sources, St. Jude Medical will update the physician community and will add to the body of knowledge available on the Riata Lead Communication website.

About St. Jude Medical

St. Jude Medical develops medical technology and services that focus on putting more control into the hands of those who treat cardiac, neurological and chronic pain patients worldwide. The company is dedicated to advancing the practice of medicine by reducing risk wherever possible and contributing to successful outcomes for every patient. St. Jude Medical is headquartered in St. Paul, Minn. and has four major focus areas that include: cardiac rhythm management, atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular and neuromodulation. For more information, please visit sjm.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include the expectations, plans and prospects for the Company, including potential clinical successes, anticipated regulatory approvals and future product launches, and projected revenues, margins, earnings and market shares. The statements made by the Company are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include market conditions and other factors beyond the Company's control and the risk factors and other cautionary statements described in the Company's filings with the SEC (News - Alert), including those described in the Risk Factors and Cautionary Statements sections of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2011 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 2, 2011. The Company does not intend to update these statements and undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any circumstance.

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