CUPERTINO, Calif., Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- CardioThoracic Systems, Inc.
(CTS) (Nasdaq: CTSI) announced today the addition of the newest members of its
executive management team.  The company recently added Jeff Gold as Chief
Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Geoff Dillon as Vice
President, Global Sales and Michael Minailo as Vice President, Marketing.
    Rich Ferrari, CTS President and CEO, stated, "We have filled out the
executive team to better meet the needs of a rapidly expanding market in
minimally invasive cardiac surgery.  We believe the extensive experience and
range of talents that our management team represents will provide us with the
expertise necessary to capitalize on this opportunity and guide us through the
next phase of our growth."
    Jeff Gold comes to CTS with over 26 years of experience in engineering,
manufacturing and research and development.  Gold stated, "Our focus is on
developing a broad portfolio of products that fit the surgeons' requirements
for performing minimally invasive cardiac surgery.  I am pleased to be working
with such a talented group of engineers developing innovative and cutting-edge
cardiothoracic technology and instrumentation."
    Geoff Dillon brings over 20 years of experience in medical sales and
marketing to CTS.  "As pioneers of the MIDCAB and off-pump technology, we are
committed to listening, understanding and meeting the needs of a fast-growing
minimally invasive cardiac surgery market," said Dillon.
    Michael Minailo, with 15 years experience in sales and marketing, provides
CTS with extensive expertise in product planning and global marketing.
According to Minailo, "Our goal is to carefully listen to the market so that
we can offer the most innovative products in minimally invasive cardiac
surgery.  Our commitment is to assist our customers in providing excellent
clinical and economic outcomes to their patients."
    Other members of the executive team include:  Rich Ferrari, President and
CEO, Chuck Taylor, Chief Technology Officer and founder, Steve Van Dick, CFO
and Vice President of Finance and Administration, Mike Billig, Vice President
of Regulatory, Quality and Clinical Research and Christian Skieller, Vice
President of Operations.
    CardioThoracic Systems, Inc., Cupertino, Calif., is a leading developer of
proprietary technologies in minimally invasive cardiothoracic surgery.  The
company's current products are designed to enable cardiothoracic surgeons to
perform minimally invasive bypass surgery on a beating heart.  CTS is also
developing technologies in the areas of minimally invasive valve repair and
replacement and saphenous vein harvesting.  The company's stock is traded on
the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol CTSI.
    This new release contains forward-looking information that involves risks
and uncertainties, including risks relating to the demand for CTS products,
availability and market acceptance of the company's new products and programs,
market size, future growth of the company's business and uncertainties
associated with the actions of the executive team.  Actual results may differ
significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements as
a result of those and other factors, including factors set forth in the
company's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on March 31, 1997 and the company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 7, 1997.  Copies
of the Annual Report on Form 10-K are available by calling the company's
investor relations department at 408-342-1700.
    For more information on CardioThoracic Systems, Inc. via fax at no cost,
dial 800-PRO-INFO (908-544-2850 outside the U.S.), ticker symbol: CTSI.

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