Medtronic Receives FDA Expanded Approval for Arctic Front Family of Cardiac Cryoablation Catheters for Initial Use for Recurrent Symptomatic…

- First and Only Approval to Indicate Cryoablation as an Initial Rhythm Control Strategy

- Offers Safe, Effective Alternative to Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for the Prevention of Atrial Arrythmia Recurrence

DUBLIN, June 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT), the global leader in medical technology, today announced it received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded approval for the Arctic Front Family of Cardiac Cryoablation Catheters for the treatment of recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (episodes that last less than seven continuous days) as an alternative to antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy as an initial rhythm control strategy. The expanded indication is based on results from STOP AF First, a prospective, multicenter randomized study that demonstrated superior efficacy of the Medtronic cryoablation procedure for preventing atrial arrhythmia recurrence compared to the use of AAD therapy.

Nearly 60 million people worldwide1 are affected by atrial fibrillation (AF). AFis a progressive disease, meaning over time patients can experience more frequent, and longer episodes, and medication as well as catheter ablation can become less effective. Additionally, AF is associated with serious complications including heart failure, stroke and increased risk of death2-5.

Managing AF can be a lifelong burden for patients, and AADtherapy has been the current standard first-line treatment. However, AAD therapy is ineffective at controlling AF in approximately half of patients treated with drug therapy6-8 and AAD usage frequently causes side effects that can lead many to discontinue treatment.9 Only after experiencing AAD failure, do some patients then go on to receive a catheter ablation.

"Expanded FDA approval, coupled with the growing body of clinical evidence, demonstrate cryoablation as a first-line treatment is a more effective solution for preventing atrial arrhythmia recurrence,"said Oussama Wazni, M.D., section head, Electrophysiology, Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic and principle investigator for the STOP AF First clinical trial. "With this new indication, physicians now have more options to treat AFearlier, and we've seen that patients do better when treated earlier.Patients can now be referred for a cryoablation to effectively control their AFrather than trying drug therapy first, potentially allowing them get back to living their lives without the added anxiety of progressing AFsymptoms and potential health complications."

The Medtronic Arctic Front family of Cardiac Cryoablation Catheters are the first and only catheter ablation devices in the U.S. approved to help physicians improve AF patient outcomes before drug failure, and shorten the time from diagnosis to ablation with effective, efficient, and predictable outcomes.6Three recent clinical trials showed the safety of the Medtronic cryoballoon and demonstrated the superiority of Arctic Front Cryoballoon ablation for preventing atrial arrhythmia recurrence in patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF) who have not failed AAD therapy.6-8

"With this milestone announcement, Medtronic now has the only ablation catheter approved by the FDA to be used a as first-line treatment in the U.S. to treat AF.The indication expansion demonstrates how Medtronic continues to lead the way in cardiac ablation solutions for arrhythmia management and fill a market need for an early rhythm control strategy for what is an very progressive disease," said Rebecca Seidel, president of the Cardiac Ablation Solutions business, which is part of the Cardiovascular Portfolio at Medtronic. "For the millions of Americans who struggle with simple, daily tasks like walking up the stairs or getting the mail because of their AF, the expanded indication offers an alternative treatment option to antiarrhythmic drug therapy."

The FDA recently expanded the indication for Medtronic cryoablation therapy to include treating patients with drug refractory recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (episode duration less than 6 months) as well as the treatment of recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation as an alternative to antiarrhythmic drug therapy as an initial rhythm control strategy. Medtronic has pioneered cryoablation technology, with an industry-leading and extensive body of evidence, including proven safety and efficacy in treating AF. To date, nearly one million patients have been treated with the Medtronic cryoablation therapy worldwide.

In collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists worldwide, Medtronic offers the broadest range of innovative medical technology for the interventional and surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias. The company strives to offer products and services of the highest quality that deliver clinical and economic value to healthcare consumers and providers around the world.

About MedtronicMedtronic plc (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is among the world's largest medical technology, services and solutions companies alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. Medtronic employs more than 90,000 people worldwide, serving physicians, hospitals and patients in more than 150 countries. The company is focused on collaborating with stakeholders around the world to take healthcare Further, Together.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

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Medtronic Receives FDA Expanded Approval for Arctic Front Family of Cardiac Cryoablation Catheters for Initial Use for Recurrent Symptomatic...