First Multicenter Study in Minimally Invasive Bypass Surgery

    CUPERTINO, Calif., Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- CardioThoracic Systems, Inc.
(CTS) (Nasdaq: CTSI) today announced the launch of the POEM (Patency, Outcomes
and Economics of MIDCAB) Study.  POEM is the first multicenter controlled
study comparing minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) with
traditional coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures.
    "The POEM Study represents the first large scale prospective, controlled
comparison of the patency of the MIDCAB and CABG procedures," said Dr. Michael
Mack, of Columbia Hospital, Medical City, Dallas.  In addition, procedural
efficacy, patient outcomes, recovery times and hospitalization costs will be
captured and compared.  The Study will be funded in part through dedicated
fellowships and grants provided by CTS.  The first patients have already been
enrolled.
    Dr. Marco Zenati, Director of the Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
Program at Presbyterian University Hospital, commented, "The launch of the
multicenter POEM study is the signal that MIDCAB is becoming a mature surgical
technique ready to be tested against more traditional and time-honored forms
of therapy."
    "The POEM Study represents a critical step in validating the MIDCAB
concept and should serve as a bridge to future important clinical trials,
undoubtedly leading to a much broader application of the MIDCAB approach in
patients with complex coronary artery disease," said Dr. Martin B. Leon,
Director of Cardiovascular Research and Education at Washington Hospital
Center.
    "Clinical data presented at this week's TCT (Transcatheter Cardiovascular
Therapeutics) Conference on coronary revascularization demonstrated patency of
98% for the MIDCAB procedure in two separate large single center studies.  We
expect this significant clinical data to be strengthened by the results of our
multicenter POEM Study and will serve to further validate the benefits of
minimally invasive techniques in bypass surgery," said Richard Ferrari, CTS
president and chief executive officer.
    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 news release contains forward-looking information that involves risks
and uncertainties, including uncertainties associated with the results and
effects of the POEM Study, the reliance on favorable clinical data, clinical
adoption of the MIDCAB procedure, availability and market acceptance of the
company's new products, and competitive products and procedures.  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 August 8, 1997.  Copies of the annual report on Form 10-K and
the amended quarterly report on Form 10-Q 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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