ALARIS Medical Introduces New Multi-Lead Cardiac Event Monitor

SAN DIEGO (Feb. 25) BUSINESS WIRE -Feb. 25, 1999--

Instromedix(R) King of Hearts Express(R) II Enhances

       Diagnostic Capabilities to Monitor Patients with 

Pacemakers, Chest Pain and Asymptomatic Arrythmias

ALARIS Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALRS) today announced that its Instromedix Division is launching the King of Hearts Express(R) II multi-lead cardiac event recorder, a monitor that is expected to take transtelephonic cardiac event monitoring to a new level by providing increased memory for automatic, as well as patient-activated, ECG event recording.

The King of Hearts Express II event recorder will be featured by ALARIS Medical at the American College of Cardiology Conference, in New Orleans, March 7-10.

The King of Hearts Express II multi-lead cardiac event recorder is a patient-activated device designed for evaluation of transient symptoms such as syncope (fainting), near-syncope, dizziness, palpitations and chest pain. The Express II recorder also is capable of automatically initiating a recording when the patient's rate falls outside a predetermined range of heart rates (defined by the physician). Using looping memory, the Express II recorder can capture ECG data both before and after the patient experiences a cardiac symptom.

"Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in the U.S., with over 58 million Americans having one or more types of CVD," said William J. Mercer, President and CEO of ALARIS Medical. "With the use of an event monitor, people with unexplained cardiac symptoms are a phone call away from their physician. The King Of Hearts Express II recorder -- with its unique auto-trigger feature and expanded memory -- gives the physician more valuable information with which to make diagnoses," he noted.

The multi-lead design with 1-3 leads provides additional ECG vectors to provide more views of the ECG. Multiple lead recording supports evaluation of ST segment changes and facilitates visualization of SVT and other types of arrhythmias. The device also is capable of detecting and enhancing pacemaker artifact to assist physicians in evaluating a pacemaker's performance.

"Used in conjunction with the LRC 2000(tm) or with receiving center PC software, the King of Hearts Express II cardiac event recorder provides a practical and convenient method for collecting diagnostic-quality ECGs over an extended period of time for patients with chest pain or symptoms suggestive of cardiac arrhythmia," said James E. May, vice president and general manager, Instromedix Division.

ALARIS Medical's Instromedix Division provides medical technology and services dedicated to improving the lives of people who may be affected by cardiovascular disease.

ALARIS Medical, Inc., through its operating company, ALARIS Medical Systems, Inc., is known for its IMED(R) and IVAC(R) brand names of intravenous infusion therapy systems and Instromedix(R) cardiac event recorders and pacemaker follow-up systems. The Company's principal line of business is the design, manufacture and marketing of intravenous infusion therapy products, patient monitoring instruments and related disposables. The Company's products are distributed to more than 120 countries worldwide. In addition to its San Diego world headquarters and manufacturing facility, the Company also operates manufacturing facilities in Creedmoor, NC; Hillsboro, OR; Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK; and Tijuana, Mexico. Additional information on ALARIS Medical can be found at www.alarismed.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements which are based largely upon the Company's expectations for demand and acceptance of new and existing products, technologies and opportunities, regulatory approvals and market and industry segment growth. Actual results could vary materially from these expected results due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation, changes in the market, competition, government regulation and foreign operations. Such risk factors are detailed in the Securities and Exchange Commission filings of ALARIS Medical, Inc. including Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. CVD statistics, source: American Heart Association. 1999 Heart and Stroke Statistical Update. Dallas, Tex: American Heart Association, 1998

-0- DS/se*

CONTACT: ALARIS Medical, Inc.

          Barbara Burkett, 619/458-7038 

or

          THE FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD 

Tim Kent                Marjorie Ornston 
          General Information     Media Contact 

310/442-0599            310/442-0599 
          or 

KETCHUM

          Kali Coffman 

Trade Contact

          310/444-1394 

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICINE COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED PRODUCT
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet

with Hyperlinks to your home page.

                      URL: http://www.businesswire.com