ST JUDE MEDICAL INC
10-K/A, 1996-04-01
ORTHOPEDIC, PROSTHETIC & SURGICAL APPLIANCES & SUPPLIES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

                                  ------------

                            FORM 10-K/A ANNUAL REPORT

[X]                ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                   FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995

                           COMMISSION FILE NO. 0-8672

                             ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

                MINNESOTA                                  41-1276891
      (State or other jurisdiction                      (I.R.S. Employer
    of incorporation or organization)                  Identification No.)

                               ONE LILLEHEI PLAZA
                            ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55117
                     (Address of principal executive office)

                                 (612) 483-2000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

        SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:  NONE

           SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

   COMMON STOCK ($.10 PAR VALUE)             PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS
        (Title of class)                              (Title of Class)

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, or will not be contained, to the
best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. X
          ---

     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months; and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past  90 days.     YES  X   NO
                                            ---     ---

     The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the Registrant was approximately $2.8  billion at March 8, 1996, when the
closing sale price of such stock, as reported on the NASDAQ National Market
System, was $40.75.

     The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Common Stock, $.10 par
value, as of March 8, 1996, was 70,299,660 shares.  

     Portions of the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December
31, 1995, are incorporated by reference in Parts I, II and IV.  Portions of the
Proxy Statement dated March 27, 1996, are incorporated by reference in Part III.

     This filing is a result of an inadvertent omission of Exhibit 13 from 
our filing dated March 27, 1996.

                                  ------------


     The exhibit index is set forth on pages 11 and 12. This Form 10-K 
consists of 69 pages, consecutively numbered 1 through 69.


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                             ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC.
                                   1995 10-K
                                     PART I
 
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
GENERAL
 
    St.  Jude Medical, Inc. ("St. Jude"  or the "Company") designs, manufactures
and markets medical devices and provides services for the cardiovascular segment
of the medical device industry. The  Company's products are distributed in  more
than  70 countries  worldwide through a  combination of  direct sales personnel,
independent manufacturers' representatives  and distribution organizations.  The
main  markets for the  Company's products are the  United States, Western Europe
and Japan.
 
    Effective  September  30,   1994,  St.   Jude  acquired   from  Siemens   AG
substantially  all  the  worldwide  assets  of  its  cardiac  rhythm  management
operations ("Pacesetter"). The acquisition significantly expanded the  Company's
product  offerings and provided a platform for potential further diversification
of its business.
 
    The Company currently operates  through three business  units. The St.  Jude
Medical Division is responsible for the Company's heart valve disease management
products  including mechanical and  tissue heart valves  and annuloplasty rings.
The  Pacesetter  Division  is  responsible  for  the  Company's  cardiac  rhythm
management   products   including  bradycardia   pulse  generators,   leads  and
programmers. The International Division is responsible for marketing, sales  and
distribution of the Company's and third party products in Europe, Africa and the
Middle East.
 
    Typically,  the Company's net  sales are somewhat stronger  in the first and
second quarters  and weaker  in the  third quarter.  This results  from  patient
tendency  to defer, if possible, cardiac procedures during the summer months and
from the seasonality of the domestic  and Western European markets where  summer
vacation  schedules normally result in fewer surgical procedures. Manufacturers'
representatives randomly  place large  orders which  can distort  the net  sales
pattern  noted  above. In  addition,  new product  introductions  and regulatory
approvals can modify the expected net sales pattern.
 
    In 1995  almost 63%  of  net sales  were  derived from  pacemaker  products,
approximately  36% from heart valve products and the balance from cardiac assist
products. In prior years the majority of net sales were derived from heart valve
products.
 
CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT
 
    The Pacesetter  Division  is headquartered  in  Sylmar, California  and  has
manufacturing  facilities  in  Sylmar,  Sweden  and  Scotland.  Pacesetter pulse
generators and  leads  treat  patients  with hearts  that  beat  too  slowly  or
irregularly;  a condition  known as  bradycardia. Various  models of bradycardia
pulse generators  and leads  are produced  by Pacesetter.  Pulse generators  can
sense  and produce impulses in  both the upper and  lower chambers of the heart,
adapt to  changes in  heart rate  and can  be non-invasively  programmed by  the
physician  to  adjust sensing,  electrical pulse  intensity, duration,  rate and
other characteristics.
 
    The pulse  generator,  generally referred  to  as a  pacemaker,  contains  a
lithium  battery  power source  and  electronic circuitry.  It  generates pacing
pulses and  monitors  the  heart's activity  to  sense  abnormalities  requiring
correction. It is most often implanted pectorally just below the collarbone. The
leads  are insulated wires  that carry the  pulses to the  heart and information
from the  heart back  to the  pacemaker. A  pacemaker uses  electrical  currents
equivalent to those in a healthy heart.
 
    In  1995 Pacesetter introduced  a new platform of  pacing systems called the
Trilogy-TM- series.  The  series  was  an outgrowth  of  the  highly  successful
Synchrony-Registered  Trademark- platform  circuitry and  was designed  with the
philosophy of  cardiac optimization.  Trilogy-TM- has  an ovoid  shape,  doubles
memory,   adds  new  diagnostic  capabilities  and   in  some  versions  has  an
automaticity feature.
 
                                       2
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    Microny-TM-, a single chamber  pacemaker, which was  the first pacemaker  in
the   world  to   incorporate  AutoCapture-TM-,   was  introduced   in  1995  in
international markets. The AutoCapture-TM- algorithm is capable of adjusting the
pacemaker's output to provide the minimal amount of electrical impulse necessary
to stimulate the heart and  has an appropriate safety margin  test on a beat  by
beat basis. Microny-TM- is the world's smallest pacemaker weighing only about 13
grams.  The sensor  is an  accelerometer, a  "ball in  a cage"  sensor which has
excellent sensitivity  to  the  intensity  of the  patient's  body  movement  in
determining the proper pacing rate.
 
    The  Regency-TM- family  of single  chamber pacemakers,  introduced in 1995,
incorporates  the  AutoCapture-TM-  feature  and  several  advanced   diagnostic
capabilities.  Pacesetter expects  to release  the Regency-TM-  pacemaker in all
international markets and to commence U.S. clinical trials in 1996.
 
HEART VALVES
 
    The St. Jude Medical  Division is headquartered in  St. Paul, Minnesota  and
has  manufacturing facilities in  St. Paul, Puerto  Rico, Canada and California.
Heart valve replacement  or repair may  be necessary because  the natural  heart
valve  has  deteriorated  due to  congenital  defects or  disease.  Heart valves
facilitate the  one-way flow  of  blood in  the  heart and  prevent  significant
backflow of blood into the heart and between the heart's chambers.
 
    St.  Jude offers  both mechanical  and tissue  replacement heart  valves and
valve repair products.  In 1996, the  Company executed an  agreement to  provide
services  relating to allografts, cryopreserved human heart valves. The St. Jude
Medical-Registered  Trademark-  mechanical  heart  valve  is  the  most   widely
implanted  valve in  the world  with over 650,000  valves implanted  to date. In
1995, the  Company  introduced  the  SJM-Registered  Trademark-  Masters  Series
rotatable  version of  the mechanical  heart valve  which eases  implantation in
certain circumstances. The  United States Food  and Drug Administration  ("FDA")
approved the Masters Series for U.S. implantation in November 1995. In addition,
the  Company  internationally  markets  the  Toronto  SPV-Registered  Trademark-
stentless tissue valve, the world's leading stentless tissue valve, and the  SJM
X-Cell-TM-    bioprosthesis,    a    stented   tissue    valve.    The   Toronto
SPV-Registered Trademark- is in domestic clinical trials.
 
    The Company executed an agreement in 1995 with Heartport, Inc. ("Heartport")
to pursue less invasive heart valve surgery to repair or replace diseased  heart
valves.  Under the agreement, St. Jude's heart  valve prostheses will be used in
combination with Heartport's proprietary  Port-Access-TM- technology to  perform
less  invasive  heart  valve  surgery. In  early  1996,  Heartport  received FDA
authorization to commence  U.S. clinical  trials of  its Port-Access-TM-  mitral
valve repair and replacement system.
 
    Annuloplasty rings are prosthetic devices used to repair diseased or damaged
mitral  heart valves.  In 1995,  the Company  executed a  license agreement with
Professor Jacques  Seguin  to  manufacture and  market  an  advanced  semi-rigid
annuloplasty ring. This SJM-Registered Trademark- Sguin annuloplasty ring can be
used with conventional surgery and Heartport's Port-AccessTM technology.
 
SUPPLIERS
 
    Until  1986 all pyrolytic  carbon components for  the mechanical heart valve
were purchased  from  CarboMedics, Inc.  ("CMI").  In 1986,  the  Company  began
selling  mechanical  heart  valves  internationally  utilizing self-manufactured
pyrolytic carbon  coated  components. In  May  1991, the  Company  received  FDA
approval  to  domestically  market the  St.  Jude  Medical-Registered Trademark-
mechanical heart  valve as  assembled  with self-manufactured  pyrolytic  carbon
coated components.
 
    Under  an agreement  with CMI, which  covers the supply  of pyrolytic carbon
heart valve components for the mechanical heart valve, the Company must purchase
a minimum of  20% of  its needs  through 1998 at  negotiated prices.  If CMI  is
unable  or fails to perform under the agreement, the license permits the Company
to self-manufacture its component  requirements during the supply  interruption.
The  agreement can be extended  for additional one year  terms after 1998 at the
Company's option and prices the  Company would pay in  1999 and beyond would  be
adjusted  annually by  a producer price  index based formula  established in the
agreement.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
    The Company purchases raw materials and other items from numerous  suppliers
for  use in its  products. The Company  maintains sizeable inventories  of up to
three years of its projected requirements  for certain materials, some of  which
are  available only from a single vendor. The Company has been advised from time
to time  that  certain of  these  vendors may  terminate  sales of  products  to
customers  that manufacture implantable  medical devices in  an effort to reduce
their potential products liability exposure. Some of these vendors have modified
their positions and have indicated a willingness to either temporarily  continue
to  provide product until such  time as an alternative  vendor or product can be
qualified or to reconsider the  supply relationship. While the Company  believes
that  alternative  sources of  raw  materials are  available  and that  there is
sufficient lead  time  in  which  to qualify  such  other  sources,  any  supply
interruption  could have a  material adverse effect on  the Company's ability to
manufacture its products.
 
COMPETITION
 
    Within the medical  device industry, competitors  range from small  start-up
companies  to  companies  with significant  resources.  The  Company's customers
consider  many  factors  when  choosing  supplier  partners  including   product
reliability,  clinical  outcomes, product  availability,  inventory consignment,
price and product services provided by the manufacturer. Market share can  shift
as  a result  of technological  innovation, product  recalls and  product safety
alerts. This emphasizes the need for the highest quality products and  services.
St.  Jude expects the competition to continue  to increase by using tactics such
as consigned inventory, bundled product sales and reduced pricing.
 
    The Company is the world's  leading manufacturer and supplier of  mechanical
heart valves. There are two other principal and several other smaller mechanical
heart  valve  manufacturers.  St.  Jude  has  numerous  competitors  which  sell
significantly more tissue heart valves than the Company.
 
    Pacesetter is a  technological leader in  the bradycardia pacemaker  market.
Worldwide  there are  seven primary  manufacturers and  suppliers of bradycardia
pacemakers, including the Company. One other company and Pacesetter account  for
well over half of the worldwide bradycardia pacemaker net sales. The Company has
strong market share positions in all major developed markets.
 
    The  cardiovascular segment of the medical device market is a dynamic market
currently undergoing  significant change  due to  cost of  care  considerations,
regulatory  reform,  industry  consolidation  and  customer  consolidation.  The
ability to provide  cost effective  clinical outcomes  is becoming  increasingly
more important for medical device manufacturers.
 
MARKETING
 
    The  Company sells its products directly  to hospitals and distributor based
organizations in  the United  States and  throughout the  world. No  distributor
organization or single customer accounted for more than 10% of 1995 net sales.
 
    In  the  United States,  St.  Jude sells  directly  to hospitals  through an
employee based sales organization for its heart valve products and a combination
of independent  manufacturers'  representatives  and  an  employee  based  sales
organization  for its pacemaker products. In  Western Europe, the Company has an
employee based sales organization selling in thirteen countries. Throughout  the
rest of the world the Company uses distributor based sales organizations.
 
    Payment  terms  worldwide are  consistent  with local  practice.  Orders are
shipped as they are received and, therefore, no material back orders exist.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
    The Company is focused on the  development of new products and  improvements
to existing products. In addition, research and development expense reflects the
Company's  efforts to obtain FDA approval  of certain products and processes and
to maintain the highest  quality standards of  existing products. The  Company's
research  and  development  expenses  were  $68,970,000  (9.5%  of  net  sales),
$21,008,000 (5.8%) and $10,972,000 (4.3%) in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
    The medical devices manufactured and marketed by the Company are subject  to
regulation  by the FDA and, in some instances, by state and foreign governmental
authorities. Under the  Federal Food,  Drug and  Cosmetic Act  (the "Act"),  and
regulations  thereunder,  manufacturers  of  medical  devices  must  comply with
certain  policies  and  procedures  that  regulate  the  composition,  labeling,
testing,  manufacturing, packaging and distribution  of medical devices. Medical
devices are subject to different levels of government approval requirements, the
most comprehensive of which requires the completion of an FDA approved  clinical
evaluation  program and submission and approval of a pre-market approval ("PMA")
application  before  a  device  may  be  commercially  marketed.  The  Company's
mechanical  and tissue heart valves and certain pacemakers and leads are subject
to this level of approval or as a supplement to a PMA approval. Other pacemakers
and leads and the  annuloplasty ring products are  currently marketed under  the
510(k) pre-market notification procedure of the Act.
 
    The  FDA  also  regulates record  keeping  for medical  devices  and reviews
hospital and manufacturers' required reports of adverse experiences to  identify
potential problems with FDA authorized devices. Aggressive regulatory action may
be  taken due to adverse experience reports. FDA device tracking and post-market
surveillance requirements are expected to increase future regulatory  compliance
costs.
 
    Diagnostic-related  groups  ("DRG")  reimbursement  schedules  regulate  the
amount  the  United  States  government,  through  the  Health  Care   Financing
Administration  ("HCFA"), will reimburse hospitals and doctors for the inpatient
care of  persons covered  by Medicare.  While the  Company has  been unaware  of
significant  domestic price resistance directly as a result of DRG reimbursement
policies, changes  in current  DRG reimbursement  levels could  have an  adverse
effect on its domestic pricing flexibility.
 
    In  response to the  U.S. government budget deficit  and rising Medicare and
Medicaid costs, several  legislative proposals  have been  advanced which  would
restrict  future funding increases for these programs. While it is impossible to
predict the outcome of the policy debate, St. Jude believes it will increase the
downward pricing  pressure  on  health care  products  including  the  Company's
products.
 
    St.  Jude business  outside the United  States is subject  to medical device
laws in individual  foreign countries.  These laws range  from extensive  device
approval  requirements  in  some countries  for  all  or some  of  the Company's
products to requests for data  or certifications in other countries.  Generally,
regulatory  requirements  are increasing  in  these countries.  In  the European
Economic Union, efforts are underway to harmonize the regulatory systems.
 
    The Office  of  the Inspector  General  (the  "OIG") of  the  United  States
Department  of  Health and  Human Services  ("HHS")  is currently  conducting an
investigation regarding  possible hospital  submissions  of improper  claims  to
Medicare/Medicaid programs for reimbursement for procedures using cardiovascular
medical  devices that were not approved for marketing  by the FDA at the time of
use. Beginning in June 1994, approximately 130 hospitals received subpoenas from
HHS seeking  information  with respect  to  reimbursement for  procedures  using
cardiovascular  medical devices (including certain  products manufactured by the
Company) that were subject  to investigational exemptions or  that may not  have
been  approved for marketing by  the FDA at the time  of use. The subpoenas also
sought information regarding various types of remuneration, including  payments,
gifts,  stock and stock options, received by  the hospital or its employees from
manufacturers of medical devices.  Civil and criminal  sanctions may be  imposed
against  any person participating  in an improper  claim for reimbursement under
Medicare/Medicaid.  The   OIG's  investigation   and  any   related  change   in
reimbursement  practices may discourage hospitals from participating in clinical
trials or  from including  Medicare and  Medicaid patients  in clinical  trials,
which could lead to increased costs in the development of new products. St. Jude
believes  it is too early to predict the possible outcome of this matter or when
it will be resolved. There can be  no assurance that the OIG's investigation  or
any  changes in third-party payors'  reimbursement practices will not materially
adversely affect the medical device
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
industry in general or the  Company in particular. In  1995, HCFA, part of  HHS,
issued   a  regulation  clarifying  that  certain  medical  devices  subject  to
investigational requirements under the Act may qualify for reimbursement.
 
    In 1994 the predecessor organization to Pacesetter entered a consent  decree
which  settled a lawsuit brought by the United States in U.S. District Court for
the District  of  New  Jersey.  The  consent  decree  which  remains  in  effect
indefinitely  requires that Pacesetter comply  with the FDA's Good Manufacturing
Practice  regulations  and  identifies  several  specific  provisions  of  those
regulations. The consent decree provides for FDA inspections and that Pacesetter
is obligated to pay certain costs of the inspections.
 
    In  1994 a state prosecutor in Germany began an investigation of allegations
of corruption in  connection with  the sale  of heart  valves. As  part of  that
investigation,  the  prosecutor  seized  documents from  St.  Jude's  offices in
Germany as  well as  documents from  certain competitors'  offices. In  December
1995,  the state prosecutor  announced that the  investigation is continuing and
has been broadened to  include other medical  devices. Subsequently, the  United
States  Securities  and Exchange  Commission issued  a  formal order  of private
investigation covering sales practices  of St. Jude  and other manufacturers  in
Germany.
 
PATENTS AND LICENSES
 
    The  Company's policy is to protect  the intellectual property rights in its
work on medical devices. Where appropriate,  St. Jude applies for United  States
and  foreign  patents.  In  those  instances  where  the  Company  has  acquired
technology from third parties,  it has sought to  obtain rights of ownership  to
the technology through the acquisition of underlying patents or licenses.
 
    While  the Company  believes design,  development, regulatory  and marketing
aspects of the medical device business represent the principal barriers to entry
into such business, it also recognizes  that its patents and license rights  may
make  it more difficult for its competitors  to market products similar to those
produced by the Company. St. Jude can  give no assurance that any of its  patent
rights,  whether  issued,  subject  to  license  or  in  process,  will  not  be
circumvented or invalidated.  Further, there are  numerous existing and  pending
patents on medical products and biomaterials. There can be no assurance that the
Company's  existing or planned products do not  or will not infringe such rights
or that others will not claim such infringement. The Company's principal  patent
covering  its mechanical heart  valve will expire  in the United  States in July
1998. No  assurance can  be  given that  the Company  will  be able  to  prevent
competitors from challenging the Company's patents or entering markets currently
served by the Company.
 
INSURANCE
 
    The  medical device  industry has  historically been  subject to significant
products liability claims. Such claims could be asserted against the Company  in
the  future for  events not  known to  management at  this time.  Management has
adopted  risk  management  practices,  including  products  liability  insurance
coverage, which management believes are prudent.
 
    The  Company's  former  products liability  insurance  carrier  is currently
seeking to rescind its coverage of Pacesetter products for the period October 1,
1994, through December 31, 1995. Should  the carrier prevail, the Company  would
be  self-insured  for  Pacesetter  products liability  claims  made  during that
period. St. Jude cannot predict  the outcome of the  dispute. See Item 3  "Legal
Proceedings".
 
    California earthquake insurance is currently difficult to procure, extremely
costly,  and  restrictive in  terms of  coverage.  The Company's  earthquake and
related business  interruption  insurance  for its  operations  located  in  Los
Angeles  County, California does provide for limited coverage. While the Company
is unable to predict the  potential impact of any  uninsured loss that might  be
sustained from an earthquake, it is the opinion of management that any such loss
would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
EMPLOYEES
 
    As  of December 31, 1995, the Company  had 2,315 full-time employees. It has
never experienced a work stoppage as a result of labor disputes and none of  its
employees  are represented  by a labor  organization, with the  exception of the
Company's Swedish employees.
 
INDUSTRY SEGMENT AND INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
 
    The medical products and service industry is the single industry segment  in
which  the  Company  operates. The  Company's  domestic and  foreign  net sales,
operating profit and identifiable assets,  and its export sales to  unaffiliated
third  parties are described in Note  8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
on page 36 of the 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders and are incorporated herein
by reference.
 
    The Company's foreign business is subject to such special risks as  exchange
controls,   currency  devaluation,  dividend  restrictions,  the  imposition  or
increase of import or  export duties and surtaxes,  and international credit  or
financial  problems. Since its  international operations require  the Company to
hold assets in foreign  countries denominated in  local currencies, many  assets
are  dependent for  their U.S.  dollar valuation  on the  values of  a number of
foreign currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The Company may from time  to
time  enter into purchase and sales contracts in the forward markets for various
foreign currencies with the objective of protecting U.S. dollar values of assets
and commitments denominated in foreign currencies.
 
ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES
 
    St. Jude Medical's principal executive offices are owned and are located  in
St.  Paul,  Minnesota.  Manufacturing  facilities  are  located  in  California,
Minnesota, Canada,  Puerto  Rico, Scotland  and  Sweden. Approximately  53%,  or
221,000  square feet, of the  total manufacturing space is  owned by the Company
and the balance is leased.
 
    The Company  also  maintains sales  and  administrative offices  inside  the
United  States at 16 locations  in 6 states and outside  the United States at 17
locations in 15 countries. All of these locations are leased.
 
    In management's opinion,  all building  and machinery and  equipment are  in
good  condition and suitable  for their purposes  and are maintained  on a basis
consistent with sound operations.
 
ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
    From 1987 to 1991,  Siemens AG through its  Pacesetter and other  Affiliates
("Siemens")  manufactured and  sold approximately  32,000 model  1016T and 1026T
pacemaker leads of  which approximately  25,000 were sold  in the  U.S. In  1991
Siemens  ceased selling these  products and issued a  safety alert to physicians
explaining that these pacemaker  leads had a higher  than expected failure  rate
due  to an  inner insulation  problem. The  safety alert  recommended monitoring
steps to minimize any risk posed by the devices. The FDA treated this notice  as
a Class I recall.
 
    In March 1993 Siemens was sued in federal district court in Cincinnati, Ohio
("the  Wilson  case").  The  suit  alleged  that  the  model  1016T  leads  were
negligently designed and manufactured. The  suit sought class action status  for
patients  whose 1016T leads had malfunctioned up  to that time. The class status
was granted by the court in September 1993.
 
    When St.  Jude acquired  from  Siemens substantially  all of  its  worldwide
cardiac  rhythm  management  business  ("Pacesetter") on  October  1,  1994, the
purchase agreement specifically provided that  Siemens retain all liability  for
the  Wilson case as well as all  other litigation that was pending or threatened
before October 1, 1994. The purchase agreement also provided that St. Jude would
assume liability for other products liability claims which arose after September
30, 1994.
 
    Siemens and St. Jude were named defendants  in a class action suit filed  in
March  1995 in  Houston, Texas  for alleged  defects in  models 1016T  and 1026T
pacing leads (the "Hann case"). The suit sought class action status for patients
who had inner insulation failures of these leads after
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
March 22, 1993 and  who were not  members of the Wilson  class. Siemens and  St.
Jude  settled the Wilson and Hann cases in November 1995. St. Jude's anticipated
financial responsibility for  the settlement  is approximately  $7 million.  The
precise  number  of class  members, and  the corresponding  financial liability,
could increase or decrease  as the process for  filing claims is completed.  The
settlement  agreement has an  "opt out" provision for  class members. Apart from
this class  action  settlement, additional  claims  could be  made  or  lawsuits
brought  by patients with these leads whose leads  fail at a later date or whose
leads fail for reasons outside the class definition.
 
    St. Jude's products liability insurance  carrier, Steadfast, a wholly  owned
subsidiary  of Zurich Insurance Company ("Zurich"), has denied coverage for this
case and  has  filed  suit  against  St.  Jude  in  federal  district  court  in
Minneapolis  seeking  rescission  of  the  policy  covering  Pacesetter business
retroactive to the date  St. Jude acquired Pacesetter.  Zurich alleges that  St.
Jude  made material negligent misrepresentations  to Zurich including failure to
disclose the Wilson case in order to procure the insurance policy. St. Jude  has
filed  an answer denying Zurich's claim and has alleged that Zurich specifically
had knowledge of the Wilson case.
 
    The terms of the products liability insurance policy which Zurich is seeking
to rescind provide that St.  Jude would be entitled  to $10 million in  coverage
for  the 1016T and  1026T pacemaker lead claims  after payment by  St. Jude of a
self insured retention.  St. Jude is  investigating whether it  may have  claims
against any entities, in addition to Zurich, arising from this situation.
 
    The  Company  is unaware  of any  other pending  legal proceedings  which it
regards as likely to have a material adverse effect on its business.
 
ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
    Not applicable.
 
ITEM 4A.  EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  NAME          AGE                    POSITION*
          --------------------  ---   -------------------------------------------
          <S>                   <C>   <C>
          Ronald A. Matricaria  53    Chairman (1995), President and Chief
                                       Executive Officer (1993)
          Eric W. Sivertson     45    President, Pacesetter (1994)
          John P. Berdusco      59    Vice President, Administration (1993)
          Terry L. Shepherd     43    President, St. Jude Medical Division (1994)
          Stephen L. Wilson     43    Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial
                                       Officer (1990)
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
* Dates in brackets indicate  period during which  the named executive  officers
  began  serving in such  capacity. Executive officers serve  at the pleasure of
  the Board of Directors and are elected annually for one year terms.
 
    Mr.  Matricaria's  business  experience  is  set  forth  in  the   Company's
definitive  Proxy Statement dated March 27,  1996 under the Section "Election of
Directors." The information is incorporated herein by reference.
 
    Mr. Sivertson joined the Company in 1985 as Director of Marketing. In  1986,
he  became Director  of International  Sales and  was appointed  Vice President,
Sales and Marketing in  1988, President of the  International Division in  1990,
and  President  of the  St. Jude  Medical  Division in  1992. Mr.  Sivertson was
appointed President of the Pacesetter Division in October 1994. Prior to joining
the Company,  Mr. Sivertson  spent  eight years  with American  Hospital  Supply
Corporation  in  various  management  positions,  including  Vice  President  of
Marketing for the Converters Division.  Mr. Sivertson resigned from the  Company
effective January 19, 1996.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
    Mr.  Berdusco joined the Company in  1993 as Vice President, Administration.
Prior to joining  the Company,  he was Executive  Director Corporate  Facilities
Planning,  Manufacturing  Strategy  Development  and Sourcing  for  Eli  Lilly &
Company. From 1962 to 1993, Mr. Berdusco held various management positions  with
Eli Lilly & Company in both domestic and international operations.
 
    Mr. Shepherd joined the Company in 1994 as President of the St. Jude Medical
Division.  Prior to  joining St.  Jude, Mr.  Shepherd was  President and  CEO of
Hybritech, Inc. where  he had  been employed  for 3  years. Prior  to that,  Mr.
Shepherd  held various  management positions  at Cardiac  Pacemakers, Inc. (CPI)
where he  worked  for  15  years.  Hybritech and  CPI  were  both  wholly  owned
subsidiaries of Eli Lilly & Company.
 
    Mr.  Wilson joined the Company in 1990  as Vice President, Finance and Chief
Financial Officer. Prior to joining the  Company, Mr. Wilson was Vice  President
and  Controller of the  Foxboro Company, a process  automation company, where he
had been employed for five years. Prior  to that, Mr. Wilson was the  Controller
of  Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Company, a metrology products and machine tools
company, and previously was with Coopers & Lybrand.
 
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER
         MATTERS
 
    The information  set forth  under the  captions "Supplemental  Market  Price
Data"  and  "Dividends"  on page  21  of  the Company's  1995  Annual  Report to
Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
    The information set forth  under the caption "Ten  Year Summary of  Selected
Financial  Data"  on pages  38 and  39 of  the Company's  1995 Annual  Report to
Shareholders is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND
         FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
    The information set  forth under  the caption  "Management's Discussion  and
Analysis  of Results of Operations and  Financial Condition" on pages 22 through
26 of the Company's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders is incorporated herein by
reference.
 
ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
    The following Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and Report of
Independent Auditors set  forth on  pages 27 through  37 of  the Company's  1995
Annual Report to Shareholders are incorporated herein by reference:
 
    Consolidated Statements of Income -- Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
    1993
 
    Consolidated Balance Sheets -- December 31, 1995 and 1994
 
    Consolidated  Statements of Shareholders' Equity -- Years ended December 31,
    1995, 1994, and 1993
 
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -- Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994
    and 1993
 
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
ITEM 9.  DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
    None.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
                                    PART III
 
ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
 
    The information set forth under the  caption "Election of Directors" in  the
Company's  definitive  Proxy Statement  dated  March 27,  1996,  is incorporated
herein by reference. Information on executive  officers is set forth in Part  I,
Item 4A hereto.
 
ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    The  information  set forth  under the  caption "Executive  Compensation and
Other Information" and "Election of Directors" in the Company's definitive Proxy
Statement dated March 27, 1996, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
    The information set forth under  the caption "Security Ownership of  Certain
Beneficial  Owners and Management" and "Election  of Directors" in the Company's
definitive Proxy  Statement dated  March  27, 1996,  is incorporated  herein  by
reference.
 
ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
    The  information set forth under the  caption "Election of Directors" in the
Company's definitive  Proxy  Statement dated  March  27, 1996,  is  incorporated
herein by reference.
 
                                    PART IV
 
ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
    (a) LIST OF DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THIS REPORT
 
    (1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
    The following Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and Report of
Independent  Auditors as set forth on pages  27 through 37 of the Company's 1995
Annual Report to Shareholders are incorporated herein by reference:
 
        Consolidated Statements of Income -- Years ended December 31, 1995, 1994
    and 1993
 
        Consolidated Balance Sheets -- December 31, 1995 and 1994
 
        Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity -- Years ended  December
        31, 1995, 1994, and 1993
 
        Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows -- Years ended December 31, 1995,
    1994 and 1993
 
        Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
    (2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
 
    The following financial  statement schedule is  filed as part  of this  Form
10-K Annual Report:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SCHEDULE
 NUMBER                   DESCRIPTION                 PAGE NUMBER
- ---------  -----------------------------------------  ------------
<C>        <S>                                        <C>
   II      Valuation and Qualifying Accounts               22
</TABLE>
 
    The  report  of  the  Company's Independent  Auditors  with  respect  to the
above-listed financial statements  and financial statement  schedule appears  on
page 21 of this Report.
 
    All  other financial statements  and schedules not  listed have been omitted
because the  required  information is  included  in the  consolidated  financial
statements or the notes thereto, or is not applicable.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
    (3) EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       PAGE
        EXHIBIT INDEX                                                                 NUMBER
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------
<S>     <C>                                                                           <C>
 2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated January 29, 1996 related to the Daig        --
        acquisition is incorporated by reference to Schedule 13D filed February 13,
        1996.
 3.1    Articles of Incorporation are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) of     --
        the Company's Form 8 filed on August 20, 1987, amending the Company's
        Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1987.
 3.2    Bylaws are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3B of the Company's Form       --
        S-3 Registration Statement dated September 25, 1986 (Commission File No.
        33-8308).
 4.1    Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated as of June 26, 1990, between       --
        the Company and Norwest Bank Minneapolis, N.A., as Rights Agent including
        the Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior
        Participating Preferred Stock is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of
        the Company's Form 8 Amendment 2 to Form 8-A dated July 6, 1990.
10.1    Employment letter dated as of March 9, 1993, between the Company and Ronald    --
        A. Matricaria is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's
        Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1993.*
10.2    Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and Trust agreement dated April 12,     --
        1993, between the Company and Ronald A. Matricaria is incorporated by
        reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the
        year ended December 31, 1993.*
10.3    Supply Contract dated April 17, 1990, between the Company and CarboMedics,     --
        Inc. (portions of this exhibit have been deleted and filed separately with
        the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 24b-2) is
        incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8 filed on April 17, 1990
        amending the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December
        31, 1989.
10.4    Form of Indemnification Agreement that the Company has entered into with       --
        officers and directors. Such agreement recites the provisions of Minnesota
        Statutes Section 302A.521 and the Company's Bylaw provisions (which are
        substantially identical to the Statute) and is incorporated by reference to
        Exhibit 10(d) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended
        December 31, 1986.*
10.5    Form of Employment Agreement that the Company has entered into with            --
        officers relating to severance matters in connection with a change in
        control is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(f) of the Company's Form
        10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1987.*
10.6    Retirement Plan for members of the Board of Directors as amended on March      --
        15, 1995, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company's
        Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1994.*
10.7    Management Savings Plan dated February 1, 1995, is incorporated by             --
        reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the
        year ended December 31, 1994.*
</TABLE>
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       PAGE
        EXHIBIT INDEX                                                                 NUMBER
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------   ------
<S>     <C>                                                                           <C>
10.8    Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan agreement dated September 30, 1988,     --
        and as restated on April 9, 1993, between the Company and Lawrence A.
        Lehmkuhl is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of the Company's Form
        10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1993.*
10.9    1989 Restricted Stock Plan is incorporated by reference to the Company's       --
        Form S-8 Registration Statement dated June 6, 1989 (Commission File No.
        33-29085).*
10.10   The St. Jude Medical, Inc. 1991 Stock Plan is incorporated by reference to     --
        the Company's Form S-8 Registration Statement dated June 28, 1991
        (Commission File No. 33-41459).*
10.11   The St. Jude Medical, Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan is incorporated by           --
        reference to the Company's Form S-8 Registration Statement dated July 1,
        1994 (Commission File No. 33-54435).*
10.12   The Management Incentive Compensation Plan is incorporated by reference to     --
        Appendix A of the Company's definitive Proxy Statement dated March 27,
        1995.*
11      Computation of Earnings Per Share                                               23
13      1995 Annual Report to Shareholders. Except for those portions of such           24
        report expressly incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K Annual Report,
        the Annual Report to Shareholders is not deemed to be "filed" with the
        Securities and Exchange Commission.
21      Subsidiaries of the Company                                                     68
23      Consent of Independent Auditors                                                 69
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
    (b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K DURING THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
 
    No  reports on Form 8-K were filed  by the Company during the fourth quarter
    1995.
 
    (c) EXHIBITS:  Reference is made to Item 14 (a) (3).
 
    (d) SCHEDULES:  Reference is made to Item 14 (a) (2).
 
    For the purposes  of complying with  the amendments to  the rules  governing
Form  S-8  under the  Securities  Act of  1933,  the undersigned  Company hereby
undertakes as follows, which undertaking shall be incorporated by reference into
the Company's Registration Statements on Form S-8 Nos. 33-9262 (filed October 3,
1986), 33-29085 (filed June 6, 1989),  33-41459 (filed June 28, 1991),  33-48502
(filed June 10, 1992) and 33-54435 (filed July 1, 1994):
 
        Insofar  as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
    Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling  persons
    of  the  Company pursuant  to the  foregoing  provisions, or  otherwise, the
    Company has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
    Commission, such indemnification  is against public  policy as expressed  in
    the  Securities Act of  1933 and is, therefore,  unenforceable. In the event
    that a claim for  indemnification against such  liabilities (other than  the
    payment  by the Company of expenses incurred  or paid by a director, officer
    or controlling  person of  the  Company in  the  successful defense  of  any
    action,  suit  or  proceeding)  is asserted  by  such  director,  officer or
    controlling person in connection with  the securities being registered,  the
    Company  will, unless  in the  opinion of  its counsel  the matter  has been
    settled  by  controlling  precedent,  submit  to  a  court  of   appropriate
    jurisdiction  the  question whether  such indemnification  by it  is against
    public policy as  expressed in the  Act and  will be governed  by the  final
    adjudication of such issue.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant  to  the requirements  of Sections  13 or  15(d) of  the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
                                          ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC.
 
Date:  March 27, 1996                     By         /s/ RONALD A. MATRICARIA
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                    Ronald A. Matricaria
                                                CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF
                                                        EXECUTIVE
                                                OFFICER (PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE
                                                         OFFICER)
 
                                          By         /s/ STEPHEN L. WILSON
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                      Stephen L. Wilson
                                                   VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE
                                                 AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                                             (PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING
                                                         OFFICER)
 
    Pursuant to the requirements  of the Securities Exchange  Act of 1934,  this
report  has  been  signed  below  by the  following  persons  on  behalf  of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<C>                                           <S>                            <C>
              /s/ RONALD A. MATRICARIA
- -------------------------------------------   Chairman of the Board of       March 27, 1996
            Ronald A. Matricaria               Directors
 
             /s/ THOMAS H. GARRETT III
- -------------------------------------------   Director                       March 27, 1996
           Thomas H. Garrett III
 
               /s/ KENNETH G. LANGONE
- -------------------------------------------   Director                       March 27, 1996
             Kenneth G. Langone
 
              /s/ LAWRENCE A. LEHMKUHL
- -------------------------------------------   Director                       March 27, 1996
            Lawrence A. Lehmkuhl
 
               /s/ WILLIAM R. MILLER
- -------------------------------------------   Director                       March 27, 1996
             William R. Miller
 
             /s/ CHARLES V. OWENS, JR.
- -------------------------------------------   Director                       March 27, 1996
           Charles V. Owens, Jr.
 
              /s/ WALTER L. SEMBROWICH
- -------------------------------------------   Director                       March 27, 1996
            Walter L. Sembrowich
 
                 /s/ ROGER G. STOLL
- -------------------------------------------   Director                       March 27, 1996
               Roger G. Stoll
 
                /s/ GAIL R. WILENSKY
- -------------------------------------------   Director                       March 27, 1996
              Gail R. Wilensky
</TABLE>
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
    We  have audited the consolidated financial  statements of St. Jude Medical,
Inc. as of December 31, 1995  and 1994, and for each  of the three years in  the
period  ended  December  31, 1995,  and  have  issued our  report  thereon dated
February 5,  1996. Our  audits also  included the  financial statement  schedule
listed  in the Index at  Item 14(a). This schedule  is the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to  express an opinion based on  our
audits.
 
    In  our opinion,  the financial statement  schedule referred  to above, when
considered in  relation to  the basic  financial statements  taken as  a  whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
February 5, 1996
 
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
- --------------------------------
Ernst & Young LLP
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
                    ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  COL. A                       COL. B             COL. C             COL. D       COL. E
- -------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------------------  ------------  -----------
 
                                             BALANCE AT    ADDITIONS CHARGED TO                 BALANCE AT
                                              BEGINNING   ----------------------                  END OF
DESCRIPTION                                   OF PERIOD    EXPENSE      OTHER      DEDUCTIONS     PERIOD
- -------------------------------------------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ------------  -----------
<S>                                          <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>
Year ended December 31, 1995
  Allowance for doubtful accounts (3)......   $   5,760   $   2,510  $   1,256(5)  $     198(1)  $   9,328
  Products liability claims reserve (4)....       1,500      --          8,000(5)        942(2)      8,558
 
Year ended December 31, 1994
  Allowance for doubtful accounts (3)......       1,856         715      3,675(5)        486(1)      5,760
  Products liability claims reserve (4)....         401       1,181      --               82(2)      1,500
 
Year ended December 31, 1993
  Allowance for doubtful accounts (3)......       1,413         583      --              140(1)      1,856
  Products liability claims reserve (4)....         601      --          --              200(2)        401
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Reserve or uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.
 
(2) Settlements paid.
 
(3) Deducted from accounts receivable on the balance sheet.
 
(4) Included in other accrued expenses on the balance sheet.
 
(5) Balance assumed in the Pacesetter acquisition.
 
                                       15

<PAGE>

                   ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995

                EXHIBIT 11 - COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Year Ended December 31
                                                                ---------------------------------------
                                                                    1995         1994          1993
                                                                ------------  -----------  ------------
<S>                                                             <C>           <C>          <C>
PRIMARY
    Average shares outstanding                                    69,869,028   69,700,987    70,444,737

    Net effect of dilutive stock options, based on the
    treasury stock method using average market price               1,197,510      467,894       388,792
                                                                ------------  -----------  ------------

                                        TOTAL                     71,066,538   70,168,881    70,833,529
                                                                ============  ===========  ============

    Net Income                                                  $129,417,849  $79,234,001  $109,643,072
                                                                ============  ===========  ============

    Earnings Per Share                                                 $1.82        $1.13         $1.55
                                                                       =====        =====         =====

FULLY DILUTED
    Average shares outstanding                                    69,869,028   69,700,987    70,444,737

    Net effect of dilutive stock options, based on the 
    treasury stock method using year-end market price, 
    if higher than average market price                            1,674,162      814,628       417,785
                                                                ------------  -----------  ------------

                                        TOTAL                     71,543,190   70,515,615    70,862,522
                                                                ============  ===========  ============

    Net Income                                                  $129,417,849  $79,234,001  $109,643,072
                                                                ============  ===========  ============

    Earnings Per Share                                                 $1.81        $1.12         $1.55
                                                                       =====        =====         =====

</TABLE>














<PAGE>

ST. JUDE MEDICAL
1995 ANNUAL REPORT

[Graphic]


GLOBAL LEADERSHIP IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

<PAGE>

[Graphic]

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE

[Newspaper Clipping]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

     1    FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
     2    LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
     4    U.S. POLICY FORUM
     6    REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
     20   COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
     21   INVESTOR INFORMATION
     22   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
     27   REPORT OF MANAGEMENT
     27   REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
     28   CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
     38   TEN-YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
     40   CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
     41   LEADERSHIP AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ABOUT THE COMPANY--St. Jude Medical, Inc. is committed to assisting
health care providers worldwide to restore health and improve the
quality of their patients' lives through the design, manufacture and
distribution of high-quality, cost-effective and innovative medical
devices. Two divisions manufacture and market products: the St. Jude
Medical Division, the global leader in heart valves; and Pacesetter, a
leader in cardiac rhythm management. To foster growth and
diversification, St. Jude Medical has formed alliances with several
medical technology companies.

The Company's products are sold worldwide in more than 70 countries. St.
Jude Medical has nine operations and manufacturing facilities in the
U.S. and Europe and as of December 31, 1995, employed 2,315 people in 14
countries.

ON THE COVER--Scott MacIver of Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland, recently
celebrated his second birthday. Pictured in traditional Scottish
national dress, Scott received a Pacesetter Microny-TM-, the world's
smallest pacemaker, in the summer of 1995. His is a story of how a
caring family, medical professionals and St. Jude Medical's global
resources saved the life of a young Scottish lad.

Scott had endured two open heart operations by the time he was barely
one year old, but his condition worsened. Scott was soon back in the
hospital in Glasgow with a falling heart rate and near complete heart
block. "We felt our world had caved in and we were about to lose our
baby son," his mother Caroline said later.

Scott desperately needed a pacemaker. Given his age and size, only a
very small device was possible. Cardiologists Dr. Neil Wilson and Dr.
Karen Macleod made an emergency call to St. Jude Medical U.K. in
Coventry, England. They specifed a Microny-TM- pacemaker--weighing just
12.8 grams, the size of a  50-pence coin (or a half-dollar). Scott was
clinging to life with a dangerously low heart rate.

The St. Jude team responded immediately to deliver the pacemaker to the
Royal Hospital for Sick Children. Too late in the day for mail or
courier service, U.K. Sales Manager Steve Parker bought an airline
ticket and flew the Microny-TM- to Glasgow. Met by Scotland Manager
Gordon Nelson, they received a police escort to the hospital. A fearful family,
medical team, and a very sick little boy waited. The pacemaker system was
quickly implanted in the 16 month old.

Scott improved immediately. He now leads the life of a normal,
rambunctious two year old. Proud father Terry says, "It's nothing short
of a miracle. Scott is now a healthy, happy child." Headlines throughout
the U.K. reported "The Smallest Miracle" and "Tiny Pacemaker Saves This
Tot."

Scott's story reflects St. Jude Medical's international resources. The
Microny-TM- was designed and built at Pacesetter AB in Stockholm using
components and software developed in the U.S. and Sweden. Clinical
advice for the Microny-TM- pacemaker's innovative AutoCapture-TM-
feature was provided by a worldwide team of respected cardiologists
including Dr. Malcolm Clarke (p. 14). Scott's pacemaker lead was
assembled in East Kilbride, just 20 kilometers from his home. And the
U.K. St. Jude Medical team worked overtime to deliver the Microny-TM- to
Scott's physicians.

Happy Birthday, Scott. SLAINTE--good health.

[Daily Mirror Logo]

NEWSPAPER CLIPPING REPRODUCED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE SEPTEMBER 25,
1995, EDITION OF THE DAILY MIRROR, SCOTLAND.

<PAGE>

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Year ended December 31                        1995         1994      % Change
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>           <C>         <C>
INCOME STATEMENT
Net sales                                  $  723,513    $359,640      101%
Operating profit                              194,178      99,299       96%
Net income                                    129,418      79,234       63%
Primary earnings per share                       1.82        1.13       61%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEET
Cash and marketable securities             $  166,053    $136,968       21%
Property, plant and equipment, net            156,248     132,165       18%
  Total assets                              1,015,934     919,898       10%

Long-term debt                                120,000     255,000      (53%)
Shareholders' equity                          703,306     552,218       27%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL CONDITION
Current ratio                                   2.7/1       3.9/1
Debt to cash flow from operations               0.7/1       2.9/1
Debt to total capital ratio                       15%         32%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

NOTE: RESULTS BETWEEN 1995 AND 1994 ARE NOT DIRECTLY COMPARABLE DUE TO THE 
PACESETTER ACQUISITION, WHICH WAS EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 30, 1994. RESULTS FOR 
1994 INCLUDE A $40,800 PRE-TAX ($25,300, OR $0.36 PER SHARE, AFTER-TAX) 
CHARGE FOR PURCHASED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE PACESETTER 
ACQUISITION. SEE NOTE 2 TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

NET SALES
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)

[Bar Graph]


OPERATIONG PROFIT
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)

[Bar Graph]


NET INCOME
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)

[Bar Graph]


PRIMARY EARNINGS
PER SHARE (IN DOLLARS)

[Bar Graph]

ONE-TIME CHARGE FOR PURCHASED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE
PACESETTER ACQUISITION.

                                                                              1
<PAGE>

[Photo]

RON MATRICARIA IN A MECHANICAL HEART VALVE MACHINING AREA AT THE WOODRIDGE 
CARBON TECHNOLOGY CENTER WITH MEMBERS OF A CELLULAR TEAM: LEFT TO RIGHT: ERIC 
BANKS, SURFACE FINISH OPERATOR--LEAFLET CELL #1; JEAN WEST, 
X-RAY/DIMENSIONAL--LEAFLET RESOURCE CELL; THOMAS DAT LE, MANUFACTURING 
TECHNICIAN (STANDING NEXT TO RON).


TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS


St. Jude Medical made major strides during 1995 toward our goal of
global leadership in medical technology. Innovation, diversification and
globalization characterized our progress. We achieved superior financial
performance and positioned the Company for future growth and
profitability.

We are the world's most innovative heart valve disease management
business and intend to lead the way in less-invasive heart valve
surgery. Pacesetter, the cardiac rhythm management business acquired
from Siemens AG in 1994, has greatly exceeded our expectations. The
planned acquisition of Daig Corporation represents strategic
opportunities in the cardiac rhythm management and interventional
cardiology markets and catheter technology.

Financial results set records in 1995 with net sales growing to $723.5
million, a 101 percent increase from the previous year. In two years,
sales have almost tripled. Net income increased 24 percent to $129.4
million, or $1.82 per share, exclusive of a one-time 1994 charge
associated with the Pacesetter acquisition. We repaid more than half the
debt incurred to acquire Pacesetter, while spending nearly $69 million--
9.5 percent of sales--on research and development.

We continue to build shareholder value. After a 50 percent increase in
1994, the 62 percent stock price gain during 1995 again outpaced the S&P
500 and other major stock indices. We distributed a three-for-two stock
split in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend, the sixth stock split
in St. Jude Medical's history.

Terry Shepherd and his team made substantial progress in implementing a
comprehensive heart valve disease management strategy. Our heart valve
business grew faster than the overall mechanical market and continued
St. Jude Medical's undisputed market leadership. The new SJM-Registered
Trademark- Masters Series rotatable mechanical valve was introduced in
all major world markets in 15 months, reflecting our focus on quality
speed to market.

We signed a significant agreement with Heartport, Inc. to jointly pursue
less invasive heart valve repair and replacement surgery. Heartport's
Port-Access-TM- procedure is expected to significantly reduce pain,
recuperation time and health care costs. Heartport's approach is a
paradigm shift in the treatment of heart valve disease and represents an
important growth opportunity for the Company. We also licensed a unique
valve repair product, the SJM-Registered Trademark- Seguin annuloplasty
ring, which is compatible with the Heartport system.

In the tissue valve market, our stentless aortic product, the Toronto
SPV-Registered Trademark- valve, is the world's leading stentless tissue
valve. We purchased all assets of The Heart Valve Company from
Hancock/Jaffe Laboratories, which developed the SJM X-Cell-TM-
bioprosthesis. We continue to make progress on our BioXenoGraft-TM-
heart valve research program. And earlier this year we announced an
exclusive alliance with LifeNet Transplant Services for human donated
allograft heart valves.

In 1995, we made tremendous progress with the integration of Pacesetter
and these operations have been accretive to earnings since its
acquisition. Exciting new products are available to our customers and we
are  investing in vertical integration and manufacturing resources to
further improve profitability.

2
<PAGE>

We formed a tachycardia business unit at Pacesetter in preparation for
our entry this year into the ventricular tachycardia/defibrillation
(VT/VF) market. Our internal Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator
(ICD) development program continues. An atrial defibrillation device
developed by InControl, Inc., a company in which we have a minority
equity position, successfully began international clinical trials.

We are committed to expand St. Jude Medical's global presence to better
support customers in all major geographic markets. We enhanced our
European management in 1995 by hiring Patrick Fourteau, who was
appointed president of St. Jude Medical Europe. Patrick recruited
several new members to his team. In Latin America, Ed Storch grew our
business substantially. In Asia, Terrie Ajamil is expanding St. Jude
Medical's presence in Hong Kong, China, India, Korea and Singapore. Gary
Jordan was named general manager of St. Jude Medical Canada as we moved
to a direct presence in Canada.

St. Jude Medical's long-term success depends upon recruiting and
retaining highly motivated and dedicated employees. We are expanding 
training programs while making major investments in our information
technology infrastructure, based on a long-term agreement with EDS.

Our 1996 goals include entering the VT/VF market, advancing the
Heartport alliance, completing the integration of U.S. and European
Pacesetter operations, concluding the Daig transaction, and achieving
our financial objectives.

The global medical technology market continues to evolve as does the
nature of delivering and financing health care, whether from changes in
public policy or market forces. This environment is challenging but
represents substantial opportunity. To succeed in the years ahead, each
St. Jude Medical business must be a market or technology leader; provide
health care professionals with substantial value--the highest quality
products with demonstrated clinical and economic benefits; and operate
as the lowest cost manufacturer.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Larry Lehmkuhl who will be
retiring from the Board after 11 years of distinguished service. Larry's
decisive leadership as President and CEO from 1985 to 1993 resulted in
substantial growth and profitability for St. Jude Medical and positioned
the Company for diversification and continued success. We also
acknowledge the important contributions of Frank Ehmann who retired from
the Board after eight years of service. We wish Larry and Frank the best
in their future endeavors.

As we approach the 20th anniversary of St. Jude Medical, we thank you
for your support during another year of substantial progress and new
challenges. The 2,315 members of the St. Jude Medical team are committed
to improving the lives of people around the world, including Scott
MacIver, Jim Coburn, Rose Edison and Patrick Cuddy, whom you will meet
in this report.


For the Board of Directors,

/s/ Ronald A. Matricaria

Ronald A. Matricaria
CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
March 7, 1996

"ST. JUDE MEDICAL MADE MAJOR STRIDES DURING 1995 TOWARD OUR GOAL OF GLOBAL 
LEADERSHIP IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY.  INNOVATION, DIVERSIFICATION AND 
GLOBALIZATION CHARACTERIZED OUR PROGRESS.  WE ACHIEVED SUPERIOR FINANCIAL 
PERFORMANCE AND POSITIONED THE COMPANY FOR FUTURE GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY."


                                                                              3
<PAGE>

U.S. POLICY ISSUES AND THE MEDICAL DEVICE INDUSTRY


A FORUM WITH CEO RON MATRICARIA, U.S. REP. HOWARD BERMAN (D-CALIFORNIA), U.S. 
REP. JIM RAMSTAD (R-MINNESOTA), AND GAIL WILENSKY, PH.D.

[Photo]
RON MATRICARIA

MR. MATRICARIA: St. Jude Medical is actively involved in monitoring U.S. 
government policy initiatives that impact our customers, patients and 
industry. We want to keep our shareholders, customers and employees informed 
about these issues. With that in mind, I have asked a distinguished panel to 
provide an update on three vitally important topics that affect all 
constituents: FDA reform, biomaterials supply, and Medicare/ Medicaid reform. 
All are before the 104th Congress.

Joining me are Congressman Jim Ramstad, who is chairman of the House Medical 
Technology Caucus and has represented Minnesota's 3rd District since 1991; 
Congressman Howard Berman, who has represented California's 26th District, 
which includes our Pacesetter facility in Los Angeles, since 1983 and is a 
member of a House-Senate conference committee on product liability and 
biomaterials; and Dr. Gail Wilensky, a member of the St. Jude Medical Board 
of Directors, who served as administrator of the Health Care Financing 
Administration (HCFA) from 1990-92 and was also an advisor to President 
George Bush. Dr. Wilensky is currently chair of the Physician Payment Review 
Commission (PPRC), advising Congress about Medicare and Medicaid financing 
policy.

Let's begin with legislative proposals to reform the FDA. In recent years the 
increasing length of time required for U.S. companies to bring medical 
products to market has become a major issue. The FDA is seen as not equally 
focused on promoting and protecting public health. Product approval delays 
make it difficult for patients whose lives depend on these new technologies 
and clinicians who want to conduct research and clinical studies in the U.S. 
Congress is considering legislation to shorten FDA review times and mandate 
other changes in how the FDA operates. Congressman Ramstad, can you give us a 
perspective on the prospects for FDA reform?

REP. RAMSTAD: In 1995, Congress focused primarily on efforts to balance the 
federal budget and eliminate our nation's massive debt. Because of that 
emphasis, other high-priority items--like FDA reform--were delayed.

While budget deliberations will continue this year, I expect we will find the 
time for other key legislative priorities as well. Hearings on FDA reform 
legislation have begun in the House and Senate. I am hopeful action will be 
taken this year to address the regulatory problems that drive innovative 
companies overseas and deny American patients access to the best available 
health care technology. Legislation has also been introduced to address 
concerns about the FDA's review of medical devices prior to export, even if 
those products are approved by the importing nation.

[Photo]
CONGRESSMAN JIM RAMSTAD

The 104th Congress also demonstrated concern about payment and legal issues 
facing the medical technology sector. Legislation was introduced in 1995 to 
clarify the scope of coverage and amount of payment available under Medicare 
for devices with an FDA Investigational Device Exemption (IDE). While 
legislative language addressing the problem was included in the 1995 Medicare 
Preservation Act,  HCFA acted independently to resolve the problem.

It is encouraging to see the beginnings of a positive shift on policy matters 
affecting medical technology. The need to preserve the strength of this 
industry, for the health of all Americans and for the American economy, is 
clear.

MR. MATRICARIA: Thank you, Jim, for giving us a sense of prospects for FDA 
reform. Let's move on to the issue of biomaterials supply. Like FDA reform, 
this topic deals with maintaining a proper balance of protection for 
consumers, clinicians and suppliers. Because of the rapidly growing costs of 
medical liability litigation, many large U.S. suppliers are phasing out sales 
of critical raw materials and components to medical technology companies. 
Consequently, we and other device companies find ourselves in a very 
expensive worldwide search for non-U.S. substitutes for well-known materials 
such as Teflon-Registered Trademark-, Dacron-Registered Trademark- and 
silicone. This situation impacts our commitment to maintain the highest 
quality products and support U.S. suppliers. Fortunately, congressmen like 
Howard Berman are working to improve the availability of biomaterials. 
Representative Berman, can you provide us an update on the progress of 
biomaterials supply legislation in the 104th Congress?


4
<PAGE>

[Photo]
CONGRESSMAN HOWARD BERMAN

REP. BERMAN: Last year, both the House and Senate approved product liability 
reform bills that included sections to substantially improve the environment 
for sales of biomaterials from U.S. suppliers to medical technology 
companies. The biomaterials portions of these bills have broad support. 
However, particularly in the House, certain product liability sections of 
these bills were controversial and generated considerable debate.

I represent the House on a House-Senate conference committee working to 
resolve differences between these bills. The biomaterials sections are 
generally the same. My colleagues and I are negotiating the product liability 
provisions while maintaining language to ensure the supply of biomaterials 
from companies whose products represent a very small percentage of the cost 
or content of a completed medical device, yet have repeatedly become the 
target of litigation.

I expect we will resolve our differences on product liability and agree to a 
conference committee report for ratification by the House and Senate. 
Approval by the President is in doubt, however.

MR. MATRICARIA: Thank you, Howard. It's encouraging that Congress may take an 
important step on biomaterials supply reform in 1996. Finally, let's get an 
update from Dr. Gail Wilensky on the future of the Medicare and Medicaid 
programs. The objective of current legislative proposals is to slow the 
growth in the costs of Medicare and Medicaid and contribute to balancing the 
federal budget.

Clearly, changes in Medicare and Medicaid will impact all sectors of the 
health care industry in terms of managed care utilization and reimbursement 
rates. Gail, given your unique perspective on this issue, where is Medicare 
and Medicaid reform headed?

DR. WILENSKY: The debate between Congress and the President on the parameters 
of Medicare and Medicaid reform has not resulted in an agreement for real 
reform of these massive and important entitlement programs. And I doubt that 
we will see a substantive bill approved until the 105th Congress convenes in 
1997.

That's disappointing to me as one who is concerned about federal 
policy and the increasing percentage these programs represent of the total 
federal budget. There can be no realistic plan to balance the federal budget 
by 2002 until Medicare and Medicaid funding levels are resolved.

The differences between the President and congressional leadership revolve 
around the level of budget savings, impacts on providers and health care 
choices available to beneficiaries. Regardless of disagreements over 
financial assumptions, benefit levels and the role of managed care 
organizations for beneficiaries, America must change its current course in 
these huge spending programs. We have no choice, if for no other reason than 
to not burden our children and grandchildren with paying the accumulated 
costs of their parents' and grandparents' health care. I am convinced that 
the next Congress will reform Medicare and Medicaid, regardless of the 
outcome of this fall's national elections.

MR. MATRICARIA: What are the implications of Medicare and Medicaid reform, 
once enacted, for medical technology companies?

[Photo]
GAIL WILENSKY, PH.D.

DR. WILENSKY: More Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries will choose managed 
care health care plans. And there will be cost pressures on hospitals, 
physicians and suppliers for those beneficiaries who choose to remain in the 
current system.

Consequently, device companies must demonstrate cost-effective-ness, total 
therapy cost and the clinical benefits of their products. In addition, the 
states will have more control over Medicaid funding and eligibility 
requirements, which will require device companies to pay more attention to 
state government policies.

MR. MATRICARIA: Thank you, Gail. We eagerly await the outcome of the current 
debates on the future of Medicare and Medicaid.

My thanks to Jim Ramstad, Howard Berman and Gail Wilensky for providing an 
inside view of federal policy issues.


                                                                               5
<PAGE>

[Photos]

HEART VALVE DISEASE MANAGEMENT

SINCE 1977, OVER 650,000 ST. JUDE MEDICAL-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- MECHANICAL 
HEART VALVES HAVE SAVED LIVES AROUND THE WORLD. JIM COBURN OF GENOA CITY, 
WISCONSIN, IS A RECENT RECIPIENT OF THE SJM-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- MASTERS 
SERIES VALVE. MR. COBURN ENJOYS A BOARD GAME WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, ANNETTE 
TOYNTON. PRIOR TO HIS VALVE REPLACEMENT SURGERY, MR. COBURN HAD CALCIFIC 
AORTIC STENOSIS. JIM ON HIS RECENT SURGERY: "THE DOCTOR TOLD ME THAT I WILL 
FEEL BETTER AND HAVE MORE ENERGY AFTER AWHILE, BUT I'M SURPRISED THAT I FEEL 
SO GOOD SO SOON."

THE SJM-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- MASTERS SERIES ROTATABLE VALVE.


6
<PAGE>

HEART VALVE DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Providing the best solutions to heart valve disease is the mission of St. 
Jude Medical's heart valve business. Despite undisputed global market 
leadership in mechanical heart valves, we actually participate in about half 
of the 225,000 heart valve procedures performed each year, giving us 
tremendous growth opportunities. We are making significant advances in four 
areas--mechanical heart valves, tissue heart valves, valve repair and 
specialty products.

Our mechanical heart valves, with over 650,000 implants, have long been 
recognized as the industry's gold standard. Superior new products, such as 
the SJM-Registered Trademark- Masters Series valve providing rotatability and 
other enhancements, enable us to improve our leadership position. The 
SJM-Registered Trademark- Masters Series valve was introduced in Europe in 
1995 and recently in the United States and Japan. In just one year, over 
2,800 of these enhanced valves have been implanted.

Other 1995 milestones include an expanded range of our Hemodynamic Plus (HP) 
Series to fit most heart valve replacements. We are developing an exciting 
array of future mechanical heart valve products that incorporate advances in 
hemodynamic flow and implantability.

We entered into an alliance with the DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company 
(DuPont Pharma) to jointly develop educational programs on using 
anti-coagulant drugs with mechanical heart valves. This alliance, and others 
we are developing, should improve the long-term management of patients with 
heart valve disease, most of whom must follow anti-coagulation therapy.

We are expanding our focus in tissue heart valve technology. Our Toronto 
SPV-Registered Trademark- valve received the CONFORMITE EUROPEENNE (CE) mark, 
allowing commercial release in Europe. This valve is the world's leading 
stentless aortic porcine valve. U.S. clinical trials are ongoing. The 
performance characteristics of this valve to date have been impressive--in 
many cases indistinguishable from a healthy, native aortic valve.

To accelerate our tissue valve work, we recently acquired the remaining 50 
percent ownership of a 1992 joint venture with Hancock/Jaffe Laboratories to 
develop the SJM X-Cell-TM- bioprosthesis. Early studies of this stented 
porcine tissue valve are very encouraging. U.S. clinical trials are expected 
to begin this year. The unique technologies embodied in the SJM X-Cell-TM- 
bioprosthesis are highly relevant to other tissue development programs as 
well.

We are also pursuing other advanced tissue valve technology programs, such as 
unique antimineralization processes and design enhancements to improve 
implantability and broaden clinical applications. We expect to disclose our 
progress in this area later in 1996.

Research continues on our BioXenoGraft-TM- next-generation heart valve and 
related tissue-engineering programs. While it is a long-range goal, St. Jude 
Medical intends to be the first company to produce a durable replacement 
heart valve that would function like a natural part of the human body and not 
require anti-coagulation.

[Photo]

TERRY SHEPHERD, PRESIDENT, ST. JUDE MEDICAL DIVISION, LEADS A MEETING OF 
SENIOR MANAGERS IN ST. PAUL TO REVIEW 1996 PLANS TO IMPLEMENT THE 
ORGANIZATION'S COMPREHENSIVE HEART VALVE DISEASE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY.

[Photo]

WITH OVER 1,800 IMPLANTS IN EUROPE, THE TORONTO SPV-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- 
STENTLESS BIOPROSTHETIC HEART VALVE IS THE LEADING PRODUCT OF ITS KIND. ROSE 
EDISON OF BROMLEY, KENT, ENGLAND, IS ONE PATIENT WHO HAS BENEFITTED FROM THIS 
TECHNOLOGY. SHE IS ONE OF MANY PATIENTS OF MR. JOHN R. PEPPER, MA, MCHIR, 
FRCS, READER IN CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY AND HONORARY CONSULTANT SURGEON AT THE 
ROYAL BROMPTON HOSPITAL IN LONDON.


                                                                              7

<PAGE>

[Photo]

HEART VALVE REPAIR

ABOVE: PROF. JACQUES R. SEGUIN, M.D., PH.D., PROFESSOR OF CARDIAC SURGERY AT 
THE CENTRE HOSPITALIER ET UNIVERSITAIRE DE MONTPELLIER IN MONTPELLIER, 
FRANCE, INVENTOR OF THE SJM-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- SEGUIN ANNULOPLASTY RING, 
NOW AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO ST. JUDE MEDICAL CUSTOMERS.

[Photo]

RIGHT: PROFESSOR SEGUIN WITH DR. C. WALTON LILLEHEI, THE "FATHER OF OPEN 
HEART SURGERY" AND SJM MEDICAL DIRECTOR, AND MAGGIE WALLNER, MECHANICAL VALVE 
PRODUCT MANAGER.


8
<PAGE>

A growing number of tissue valves currently used are allografts, or 
cryo-preserved human heart valves. We  recently entered this area of heart 
valve disease management through an alliance with LifeNet Transplant 
Services, a leader in providing human tissue for many surgical specialties.

Valve repair is a fast-growing valve disease segment. Some surgeons prefer to 
treat valvular disease through delicate surgical repair procedures instead of 
valve replacement. We exclusively licensed a new annuloplasty ring developed 
by Professor Jacques Seguin, M.D., Ph.D. The geometry and design of the 
SJM-Registered Trademark- Seguin ring offers the dual benefits of rigidity to 
help model the valve annulus, and tri-dimensional flexibility, to conform to 
the contractions of the heart. The SJM-Registered Trademark- Seguin 
annuloplasty ring is just the beginning of an array of valve repair products.

We also will offer innovative specialty products and services that improve 
long-term outcomes for patients with heart valve disease. In September, we 
entered into a significant alliance with Heartport, Inc., the pioneer of 
Port-Access-TM- cardiovascular surgery. With this novel procedure, valve 
surgery can be performed through small incisions, or "ports," in the chest 
wall, eliminating the need to "crack" a patient's chest. Port-Access-TM- 
surgery could dramatically reduce patient trauma, pain and debilitation, 
recovery time, and hospital costs. International and U.S. clinical trials 
will begin in the next few months.

While new technology is central to our mission, we are sensitive to the 
demands of a changing marketplace in terms of clinical and economic outcomes. 
We recently announced the results of a major cost of complications analysis, 
which compares total cost over time for St. Jude Medical-Registered 
Trademark- mechanical heart valves and a competitor's product. These results 
translate into important economic advantages to the health care system. 
Accordingly, the best valve and best value are from St. Jude Medical.

Quality without compromise, the absolute foundation of our success, sets new 
benchmarks every day. At our Woodridge Carbon Technology Center, we will 
increase production over the next several years, ensuring self-sufficiency in 
manufacturing the highest quality mechanical valve in the world with 
significant cost advantages.

Our team views our mission as a calling. It is an exciting time to be in the 
heart valve disease management business. We expect significant growth from 
new products, product enhancements and new markets. While some view the heart 
valve business as relatively mature, we view it as young, dynamic and 
receptive to innovation.

The problems of heart valve disease have not been solved. By bringing to 
market the best solutions we and our partners can develop, we anticipate that 
health care providers throughout the world will continue to turn to St. Jude 
Medical for all of their heart valve disease management needs.

/s/ Terry L. Shepherd

Terry L. Shepherd
PRESIDENT, ST. JUDE MEDICAL DIVISION

[Photo]

THE COMPANY'S STATE-OF-THE-ART WOODRIDGE CARBON TECHNOLOGY CENTER IN LITTLE 
CANADA, MINNESOTA, RECEIVED FDA CERTIFICATION IN 1995. IT WAS PREVIOUSLY ISO 
9000/9001 CERTIFIED AND RECEIVED THE CE MARK. ARGUABLY THE FINEST PYROLYTIC 
CARBON FACILITY IN THE WORLD, WOODRIDGE COMPLETES THE COMPANY'S STRATEGY TO 
CONTROL ITS OWN MECHANICAL HEART VALVE MANUFACTURING RESOURCES.


                                                                              9
<PAGE>

HEART VALVE DISEASE MANAGEMENT PRODUCTS

MECHANICAL VALVE AND REPAIR PRODUCTS

[Photo]

TOP: ST. JUDE MEDICAL-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- AORTIC VALVED GRAFT WITH 
MEADOX-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- HEMASHIELD-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- WOVEN DOUBLE 
VELOUR GRAFT--THE IDEAL PRODUCT COMBINATIONS FOR THOSE PATIENTS REQUIRING 
BOTH AORTIC VALVE AND ASCENDING AORTA REPLACEMENT.

SECOND ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: ST. JUDE MEDICAL-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- MECHANICAL 
HEART VALVE SJM-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- MASTERS SERIES--THE MOST POPULAR 
MECHANICAL VALVE IN THE WORLD, WITH ADDITIONAL FEATURES SUCH AS ROTATABILITY, 
RADIOPACITY, AND ADDITIONAL SUTURE MARKERS; ST. JUDE MEDICAL-REGISTERED 
TRADEMARK- MECHANICAL HEART VALVE, STANDARD CUFFED VALVE--IMPLANTED SINCE 
1977 IN 70 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES; ST. JUDE MEDICAL-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- 
MECHANICAL HEART VALVE HEMODYNAMIC PLUS (HP) SERIES--IMPROVES THE HEMODYNAMIC 
PERFORMANCE OF THE STANDARD VALVE, OFFERING UP TO 25% REDUCTION IN PRESSURE 
GRADIENT ACROSS THE VALVE; SJM-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- SEGUIN ANNULOPLASTY 
RING(1)--ANNULAR REMODELING AND TRI-DIMENSIONAL FLEXIBILITY IN A SEMI-RIGID 
DESIGN.

TISSUE VALVES
[Photo]

[LIFENET Logo]

THIRD ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: TORONTO SPV-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- VALVE(2); SJM 
X-CELL-TM- BIOPROSTHESIS1; BIOIMPLANT-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- TISSUE VALVE(1); 
AORTIC ALLOGRAFT HEART VALVE

DISEASE MANAGEMENT
[Photo]

[DUPONT PHARMA Logo]
[HEARTPORT Logo]

BOTTOM: ANTI-COAGULATION MANAGEMENT SERVICES OFFERED WITH DUPONT MERCK 
PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY (DUPONT PHARMA), ST. JUDE MEDICAL-REGISTERED 
TRADEMARK- PORT-ACCESS-TM- MECHANICAL HEART VALVE SYSTEM INCORPORATING 
HEARTPORT-TM- PORT-ACCESS-TM- TECHNOLOGY(2).

(1)    NOT AVAILABLE IN U.S.
(2)    NOT AVAILABLE IN U.S., PENDING FDA APPROVAL


10
<PAGE>

CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT PRODUCTS

PACEMAKER SYSTEMS
[Photos]


TOP: FOUR OF PACESETTER'S PACEMAKERS. LEFT TO RIGHT: THE TRILOGY-TM- DR+ 
PACEMAKER(2), WHICH RECEIVED THE CE MARK IN 1995 AND IS IN U.S. CLINICAL 
TRIALS UNDER AN IDE (INVESTIGATIONAL DEVICE EXEMPTION); THE REGENCY-TM- SR+ 
PACEMAKER(1) WITH PROPRIETARY AUTOCAPTURE-TM- PACEMAKER ALGORITHM, THE MOST 
SOPHISTICATED OF THE FIVE MODELS IN THE REGENCY-TM- FAMILY, RECEIVED CE MARK 
APPROVAL IN LATE 1995; THE MICRONY-TM- SR+ PACEMAKER(1), THE WORLD'S FIRST 
COMMERCIALLY RELEASED PACEMAKER WITH PACESETTER'S AUTOCAPTURE-TM- ALGORITHM 
AND ALSO THE WORLD'S SMALLEST IMPLANTABLE PACEMAKER, INTRODUCED IN EUROPE IN 
1995 AND EXPECTED TO BEGIN U.S. CLINICAL TRIALS IN 1996; AND THE SINGLE-LEAD 
DUAL-CHAMBER ADDVENT-TM- PACEMAKER(2) , PACESETTER'S FIRST OFFERING FOR THE VDDR
MODE OF PACING THERAPY, WHICH ENTERED EUROPEAN CLINICAL TRIALS DURING 1994 
AND 1995 IN THE U.S.

MIDDLE LEFT: CARDIAC PACING LEADS. LEFT TO RIGHT: THE PASSIVE PLUS-REGISTERED 
TRADEMARK- TIN LEAD, RELEASED IN THE U.S. IN 1995, INCLUDES PACESETTER'S 
PROPRIETARY TITANIUM NITRIDE COATING ON THE ELECTRODE TIP, THE MEMBRANEE-TM- 
STEROID-ELUTING PACING LEAD(1) ENTERED THE EUROPEAN MARKET IN 1995 AND THE AV 
PLUS-TM- PACING LEAD(2), DESIGNED EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE IN THE ADDVENT-TM-  
PACEMAKER.

MIDDLE RIGHT: UNPARALLELED DIAGNOSTICS ARE THE HALLMARK OF PACESETTER PACING 
SYSTEMS WITH PDX-TM- SOFTWARE AS SEEN HERE IN A PRINTED REPORT ON THE 
TRILOGY-TM- DR+ AND THE NEW APSM-TM-(1) POCKET PROGRAMMER, WHICH RECEIVED CE 
MARK APPROVAL IN 1995.

IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATOR (ICD) SYSTEMS
[Photos]

BOTTOM: THE AEGIS-TM- ICD (IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATOR) SYSTEM(1) IS
EXPECTED TO ENTER EUROPEAN  AND U.S. CLINICAL TRIALS IN 1996, PENDING FDA 
APPROVAL OF AN IDE APPLICATION.

(1)    NOT AVAILABLE IN U.S.
(2)    NOT AVAILABLE IN U.S., PENDING FDA APPROVAL


                                                                              11
<PAGE>

CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT

[Photos]

PATRICK CUDDY, 18, A SENIOR AT C.E. KING HIGH SCHOOL IN THE SHELDON 
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, PLAYS IN THE MIGHTY PANTHER 
MARCHING BAND AND IS LOOKING FORWARD TO COLLEGE. TWO YEARS AGO, HIS PROSPECTS 
WERE VERY DIFFERENT. A CONGENITAL DEFECT IN HIS HEART ALONG WITH AN ABNORMAL 
HEART RHYTHM AND A FAILING TRICUSPID VALVE WERE CAUSING HIS HEALTH TO DECLINE.

     SURGERY WAS THE BEST OPTION. A CARDIAC CARE TEAM AT TEXAS CHILDREN'S 
HOSPITAL IN HOUSTON IMPLANTED A ST. JUDE MEDICAL-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- 
MECHANICAL HEART VALVE AND A PACESETTER SYNCHRONY-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- III 
PACEMAKER.

     PATRICK QUICKLY RECOVERED. BESIDES PLAYING IN THE BAND, PATRICK ENJOYS 
SWIMMING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AND IS PLANNING A CAREER IN CIVIL ENGINEERING. 
IN JUNE 1995 PATRICK, HIS MOTHER ROXY AND SISTER SARAH (RIGHT) SPOKE AT A 
PACESETTER EMPLOYEE GATHERING ABOUT HOW MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED 
PATRICK'S LIFE.


12
<PAGE>

CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT

The global cardiac rhythm management (CRM) market is expected to reach $5 
billion by the year 2000. St. Jude Medical is positioned to participate in 
all segments of this large and growing health care arena. Pacesetter, St. 
Jude Medical's cardiac rhythm management business, had a very successful 
1995. We introduced more bradycardia products than in the previous four years 
combined. These devices incorporate innovative and proprietary technologies 
and include:

THE TRILOGY-TM- FAMILY OF IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC PACEMAKERS. Pacesetter's 
pioneering contributions to cardiac pacing technology continue with the 
introduction of the Trilogy-TM- family. The five dual- and single-chamber 
Trilogy-TM- devices are designed with automated features to tailor pacing 
therapy to individual patient requirements. Trilogy-TM- devices incorporate 
enhanced PDx-TM- software to offer the potential for peak cardiac performance 
for patients. The Trilogy-TM- DR, DC and SR were approved by the FDA in 1995 
for U.S. market release, while the more sophisticated DR+ and SR+ are in U.S. 
clinical trials. In Europe, the DR+, DR and DC have CE mark approval.

MICRONY-TM-, THE WORLD'S FIRST PACEMAKER WITH AUTOCAPTURE-TM- ALGORITHM. 
Pacesetter's proprietary AutoCapture-TM- algorithm results in an 
unprecedented level of patient safety. AutoCapture-TM- enables the pulse 
generator to use the minimum amount of energy necessary to stimulate the 
heart, allowing for greater device longevity and a smaller size. Weighing 
only 12.8 grams, Microny-TM- is the world's smallest pacemaker. Microny-TM- 
is available in the European market and is expected to enter U.S. clinical 
trials in 1996.

THE REGENCY-TM- FAMILY OF SINGLE-CHAMBER PACEMAKERS. This product family 
enhances Pacesetter's single-chamber offering in international markets. 
Regency-TM- pacemakers combine intelligent operation with simplicity of use 
to improve patient safety and physician efficiency. Two Regency-TM- models 
incorporate the AutoCapture-TM- algorithm. All are designed with additional 
diagnostic capabilities to address needs in the predominantly single-chamber 
international market. Full international introduction is anticipated in 1996, 
as are U.S. clinical trials of the Regency-TM- SR+.

SEVERAL NEW PACING LEADS. In the U.S., the Tendril-Registered Trademark- DX 
steroid-eluting pacing lead and Passive PLUS-Registered Trademark- DX entered 
clinical trials, while the Passive PLUS-Registered Trademark- TiN, containing 
a proprietary titanium nitride coating on the electrode tip, was cleared for 
market release. In Europe, the steroid-eluting MembraneE-TM- lead family 
completed trials in preparation for 1996 international market release.

THE APSM-TM- POCKET PROGRAMMER. A pocket-sized, battery-operated programming 
device with updated single-chamber diagnostics, the APSM-TM- programmer was 
released in 1995 for international markets and will be submitted for FDA 
review in early 1996.

The future for Pacesetter's bradycardia business is very bright given 
extensive research and development programs, and prospects for new 
applications for pacing. Our technology leadership position in bradycardia 
supports the Company's entry into other segments of the CRM 
market--ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF), 
electrophysiology and atrial fibrillation.

Pacesetter made significant advances in 1995 in the VT/VF market, a large and 
rapidly growing segment of CRM. The new tachycardia business unit led by Mark 
W. Kroll, Ph.D., former vice president of research and product

[Photo]

PACESETTER'S GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS AND PRINCIPAL U.S. MANUFACTURING LOCATION IN 
SYLMAR, JUST NORTH OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

[PACESETTER Logo]

ST. JUDE MEDICAL IS COMMITTED TO BECOMING A GLOBAL LEADER IN OFFERING 
SOLUTIONS FOR ALL SEGMENTS OF THE CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT MARKET.  THE 
ACQUISITION OF PACESETTER IN 1994 WAS THE FIRST STEP IN THE COMPANYS STRATEGY 
FOR THIS IMPORTANT MARKET.  PACESETTER'S GOALS ARE AGGRESSIVE, BUT REALISTIC. 
THE TECHNOLOGY, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, PEOPLE, AND FUNANCIAL RESOURCES ARE IN 
PLACE TO ACHIEVE LEADERSHIP IN THE CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT MARKET.


                                                                              13
<PAGE>

[Photos]

AUTOCAPTURE-TM-

[CHART]

CONTINUING NEARLY FOUR DECADES OF TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP, PACESETTER'S 
INNOVATIVE AND UNIQUE AUTOCAPTURETM FEATURE IS DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE THE 
ENERGY REQUIRED TO STIMULATE THE HEART, USING A SMALLER BATTERY WITHOUT 
COMPROMISING LONGEVITY.

     DR. MALCOLM CLARKE, FRCP, FACC, A CONSULTANT CARDIOLOGIST AT CITY 
GENERAL HOSPITAL, STOKE ON TRENT, A MEMBER OF PACESETTER'S MEDICAL ADVISORY 
BOARD AND INVESTIGATOR IN THE EVALUATION OF AUTOCAPTURE-TM-, DISCUSSES ITS 
IMPORTANCE FOR PATIENTS AND PHYSICIANS WITH MAGNUS OHMAN, MICRONY-TM- PROJECT 
MANAGER AT PACESETTER AB WHICH DEVELOPED AUTOCAPTURE-TM-, AND ROY INGRAM, A 
FIELD CLINICAL ENGINEER AT ST. JUDE MEDICAL U.K., LTD.


14
<PAGE>

planning for Angeion Corporation, is developing implantable 
cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) products. We expect initial
European and U.S. clinical implants during the first half of 1996 of the 
Aegis-TM-, the world's smallest ICD, manufactured for Pacesetter by Angeion. 
The tachycardia business unit also manages Pacesetter's internal ICD 
development program. The first product in that family is expected to enter 
clinical trials in 1997. To further progress in this field, an advanced 
tachycardia technology research team is being established in St. Paul, 
Minnesota.

Pacesetter will enter the third segment of the CRM market--electrophysiology 
(EP)--as a result of St. Jude Medical's announced acquisition of Daig 
Corporation. EP involves the treatment of an arrhythmia using catheters to 
detect and correct electrically dysfunctional areas in the heart. Daig has 
several innovative EP catheter products approved in Europe and the U.S.      

Daig also has products in clinical trials that address the fourth CRM market 
segment--atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is an arrhythmia in the upper chambers 
of the heart estimated to affect more people than bradycardia and ventricular 
tachycardia combined. St. Jude Medical has a minority equity position in 
InControl, Inc., whose implantable atrial defibrillator, the METRIX-TM-, 
began international clinical trials last year. U.S. clinical trials are 
expected to begin this year.

Pacesetter's strategic direction revolves around one overriding goal--quality 
speed to market. Achieving this goal will accelerate our performance by 
enhancing:

- -    a global strategic marketing direction with local market tactical
     capabilities,
- -    an integrated approach to be the lowest cost manufacturer,
- -    universal quality standards and procedures,
- -    a worldwide approach to clinical trials and expedited regulatory
     cycles, and
- -    an intellectual property portfolio to protect critical inventions.

Vertical integration at Pacesetter will improve operational efficiency and 
product profit margins. We are investing in a facility for European 
operations near Stockholm, Sweden. A second facility being constructed in 
Phoenix, Arizona, will produce hybrids, a critical electronic circuitry 
component, in order to decrease reliance on outside suppliers and provide 
manufacturing options for other products. Both facilities are expected to be 
operational by mid-1997.

Ongoing marketplace changes have increased health care providers' emphasis on 
efficient patient care and improved patient outcomes--areas in which 
Pacesetter excels. Recent agreements with two large health care providers, 
VHA, Inc. and Columbia/HCA, Inc., provide St. Jude Medical divisions the 
opportunity to partner in delivering high-quality, cost-effective patient 
care.

With Pacesetter's bradycardia market position, the introduction this year of 
the Aegis-TM- ICD and Daig's capabilities in EP and AF, St. Jude Medical will 
provide solutions for all heart arrhythmias. Few companies enjoy this 
position, a strategy that will drive substantial growth in the future.

[Photo]

A DECEMBER 1995 GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY FOR PACESETTER AB'S NEW R&D AND 
MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN  JARFALLA, JUST NORTH OF STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN. LEFT TO 
RIGHT: BO JOHANSSON, MAYOR, CITY OF JARFALLA; FRED COLEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, 
PACESETTER AB; AND INGELA THALEN, SWEDISH MINISTER OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL 
AFFAIRS.

[Photo]

LEFT TO RIGHT: WERNER HAFELFINGER, VICE PRESIDENT, MANUFACTURING; FRANK 
KELLY, SR. VICE PRESIDENT, HYBRID OPERATIONS; AND DAVID MORLEY, SENIOR VICE 
PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS, REVIEW PLANS FOR PACESETTER'S NEW HYBRID MANUFACTURING 
FACILITY IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA. 


                                                                              15
<PAGE>

[Photos]

A GLOBAL COMPANY

ST. JUDE MEDICAL'S INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS EXECUTIVES ARE COMMITTED TO THE 
COMPANY'S GLOBALIZATION OBJECTIVES AND TO EXPAND SALES AND SUPPORT IN ALL 
MAJOR WORLD MARKETS. LEFT TO RIGHT: TERRIE AJAMIL, ASIA-PACIFIC; PATRICK 
FOURTEAU, EUROPE; GARY JORDAN, CANADA; ED STORCH, LATIN AMERICA.

PATRICK FOURTEAU AND EUROPEAN MANAGING DIRECTORS MEETING AT ASHFORD
CASTLE, CONG, CO. MAYO, IRELAND TO REVIEW 1996 PLANS FOR EUROPE. LEFT TO
RIGHT: RUUD HELWIG, EASTERN EUROPE; ROGER OSBORNE, UNITED KINGDOM;
HUGUES D'ATHIS, PACESETTER FRANCE; STEN ELFVER, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND,
BENELUX AND NORDIC COUNTRIES; FOURTEAU; ANGELO RIVETTI, ITALY; JEAN-
LOUIS NORRE, HEART VALVE BUSINESS, FRANCE; JURGEN FUCHS, GERMANY; AND
DR. IGNACIO L. BALBOA, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL.

16
<PAGE>

A GLOBAL COMPANY

Investments in globalization characterized St. Jude Medical's international 
operations in 1995. Sales grew significantly from 1994, and all geographies 
made substantila progress. The combined resources of our core businesses 
provided a broader product portfolio and the critical mass required to expand 
in all major world markets. While nearly 60 percent of all medical technology 
sales occur outside the United States, less than half of St. Jude Medical's 
1995 sales were international. This gap is an opportunity.

Our 1995 heart valve and pacing product introductions were very successful. 
New products are expected to represent almost half of international sales in 
1996. These new products--including the SJM-Registered Trademark- Masters 
Series rotatable mechanica lheart valve and the Toronto SPV-Registered 
Trademark- valve, and the Trilogy-TM-, Microny-TM- and Regency-TM- pacemaker 
systems--will drive market share. The Aegis-TM- ICD allows us to enter the 
international VT/VF market. And the European market potential of Daig's 
products for interventional cardiology and cardiac rhythm management are 
substantial.

A number of talented individuals with significant international business 
experience are helping us build the business. Ruud Helwig, formerly with Eli 
Lilly & Co., is directing our efforts in Eastern Europe, Middle East and  
Africa, with an emphasis on the emerging markets of Russia, Poland, Hungary 
and Czechoslovakia. Jurgen Fuchs is the managing director for Germany, coming 
from Biotronik GmbH, the top German pacing company. In addition, Michel 
Cavadini, formerly of Digital Equipment Corporation, is the director of 
finance and administration, while Roland Gerard, formerly with Sulzer Medica, 
S.p.A., is director of regulatory affairs and quality assurance. 

Terrie Ajamil moved from the cardiac assist division to take responsibility 
for Asia-Pacific Rim operations. Ed Storch continues to expand the Company's 
business in Latin America. We consolidated our operations in Italy under 
Angelo Rivetti. And Gary Jordan, previously responsible for heart valve sales 
and marketing, is general manager of a new direct selling organization in 
Canada.

International markets vary widely, and it is essential to understand specific 
market requirements, regulatory systems, reimbursement policies and cultural 
norms. European health care systems are similar to the U.S. managed care 
market in terms of pricing and reimbursement policies. However, regulatory 
differences generally enable new products to move through clinical trials 
faster and to market earlier, which benefits European clinicians and patients.

With new products, the right people and a focus on implementation, we are 
developing a stronger presence for St. Jude Medical. We are committed to 
increasing the Company's international presence as a high-quality, 
cost-effective provider of life-saving products.

/s/ Patrick P. Fourteau

Patrick P. Fourteau
PRESIDENT, ST. JUDE MEDICAL
EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

"IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC RIM, LOCAL CUSTOMS INFLUENCE HOW WE DO BUSINESS. 
COUNTRIES ARE EXTREMELY NATIONALISTIC. WE MUST UNDERSTAND THESE CULTURES TO 
SUCCEED. THERE IS TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL IN THIS REGION AND SOME RISK, BUT THE 
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES ARE SUBSTANTIAL."

TERRIE M. AJAMIL
VICE PRESIDENT, ASIA-PACIFIC
/s/ Terrie M. Ajamil

"IN 1995 WE MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS EXPANDING ST. JUDE MEDICAL'S BUSINESS 
IN LATIN AMERICA. OUR GOAL IS TO ESTABLISH A MORE ACTIVE AND CONSISTENT 
PRESENCE THROUGHOUT THESE EMERGING GROWTH MARKETS."

EDWARD A. STORCH
VICE PRESIDENT, LATIN AMERICA
/s/ Edward A. Storch

"A CONSOLIDATED PRESENCE ALLOWS US TO BETTER ADDRESS THE CHANGING NEEDS OF 
OUR CANADIAN CUSTOMERS. WITH THIS NEW BUSINESS UNIT, WE WILL MEET OUR 
PHYSICIAN AND ADMINISTRATIVE CUSTOMERS' DEMANDS FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT IN 
THE HEART VALVE AND PACING MARKETS, AND ARE POSITIONED TO SUPPORT NEW 
PRODUCTS."

J. GARY JORDAN
VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER
ST. JUDE MEDICAL CANADA

/s/ J. Gary Jordan


                                                                              17
<PAGE>

[Photos]

NEW TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS

IN JANUARY 1996, ST. JUDE MEDICAL ANNOUNCED A DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO
ACQUIRE DAIG CORPORATION, A LEADER IN THE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING OF
SPECIALIZED MEDICAL DEVICES, LOCATED IN MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA.

     LEFT TO RIGHT: NGUON CHHOY, GROUP LEADER; ANUSUIA SINGH,
ASSEMBLER; AND JOAN HAAG, GROUP LEADER, ARE PART OF DAIG'S CATHETER
MANUFACTURING TEAM.

MIKE COYLE, DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND PHIL PALMER, VICE
PRESIDENT, CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT WITH A DAIG CATHETER.


18
<PAGE>

NEW TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS

We continue to build St. Jude Medical as a broad-based medical
technology leader. During 1995 the Company achieved further
diversification within the cardiac rhythm management and heart valve
disease management businesses, and explored opportunities in
interventional cardiology, vascular/ endovascular repair and
interventional neurology. In December, following a year of analyzing
opportunities to create shareholder value at our cardiac assist
division, we concluded that the best alternative was to sell that
business. We are also reviewing opportunities in other therapeutic
classes to position St. Jude Medical for its next decade of continued
market leadership.

Completing the acquisition of Daig Corporation is a critical step in our
diversification plan. Daig positions the Company in additional segments
of cardiac rhythm management, represents an entry into interventional
cardiology, and adds important core competencies in catheter technology
that will be leveraged into our other targeted therapeutic classes. With
its presence in interventional cardiology, Daig offers St. Jude Medical
a strong platform from which to pursue new technologies which address
important unmet clinical needs such as restenosis.

Our 1994 minority equity investment in EndoVascular Technologies, Inc.
(EVT) provides St. Jude Medical the opportunity to closely monitor a
groundbreaking new technology for the repair of damaged or diseased
blood vessels. EVT's Endovascular Grafting System-TM-, currently in U.S.
clinical trials, may provide an alternative to major invasive surgery
and extended hospitalization associated with the repair of abdominal
aortic aneurysms.

In 1996 St. Jude Medical is implementing a comprehensive strategy that
is responsive to the economic environment of today's global medical
technology market.

We will also continue to analyze business development opportunities for
St. Jude Medical based on the Company's strategic diversification plan.
Our strong sales, marketing and clinical support organizations targeted
at cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists, and electrophysiologists
along with our core competencies in heart valve, electrical stimulation
and catheter technologies are important assets that we will use to drive
future growth.

/s/ E. Phillip Palmer
E. Phillip Palmer
VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT

[Photo]

AT A RECENT MEETING FOR INVESTORS AND FINANCIAL ANALYSTS, HEARTPORT 
CO-FOUNDER AND CEO WESLEY D. STERMAN, M.D. AND TERRY L. SHEPHERD, PRESIDENT 
OF THE ST. JUDE MEDICAL DIVISION, DEMONSTRATED HEARTPORT'S REVOLUTIONARY 
"PORT-ACCESS-TM-" APPROACH TO HEART VALVE SURGERY.

     IN SEPTEMBER 1995, ST. JUDE MEDICAL AND HEARTPORT ANNOUNCED AN AGREEMENT 
FOR THE TWO COMPANIES TO PURSUE LESS-INVASIVE PORT-ACCESS-TM- HEART VALVE 
SURGERY TO REPLACE AND REPAIR DISEASED HEART VALVES. THIS AGREEMENT WAS A 
CRITICAL HEART VALVE DISEASE MANAGEMENT MILESTONE FOR ST. JUDE MEDICAL IN 
1995.


                                                                              19
<PAGE>

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

[Photo]

ST. JUDE MEDICAL IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN SUPPORTING THE UNIVERSITY OF 
MINNESOTA'S BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING INSTITUTE. MINNESOTA'S MECHANICAL HEART 
VALVE AND PACEMAKER INDUSTRIES BOTH TRACE THEIR ORIGINS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF 
MINNESOTA AND TO DR. C. WALTON LILLEHEI. REVIEWING THE PROGRESS OF A 
FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR THE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING INSTITUTE ARE: LEFT TO 
RIGHT: C. WALTON LILLEHEI, M.D., Ph.D., WHO IS THE HONORARY CO-CHAIR OF THE 
CAMPAIGN, ALONG WITH THE FOUNDER OF MEDTRONIC, EARL BAKKEN (NOT PICTURED); 
BILL BRODY, M.D., Ph.D., PROVOST, HEALTH SCIENCES; RON MATRICARIA, CAMPAIGN 
CHAIR; PROF. MATT TIRRELL, DIRECTOR OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING INSTITUTE; AND 
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA PRESIDENT NILS HASSELMO.

St. Jude Medical is committed to good corporate citizenship and supporting 
employees and their families, its health care customers and their patients 
and the communities in which it does business. The examples listed illustrate 
how the Company, its executives and employees contribute resources, time and 
talents to worthy organizations and individuals. Related activities include: 
participation in annual United Way campaigns; student mentoring and 
internship programs; adopt-a-school initiatives including Pacesetter's 
relationship with Sylmar High School; support of youth athletic teams; 
matching grants for employee contributions to post-secondary institutions; 
participation in boards of public companies, non-profit organizations and 
industry associations; and sponsorship of fundraising events hosted by 
cardiac care charities and medical societies.

In 1996, St. Jude Medical will establish a foundation to support medical 
technology research, cardiac care, humanitarian missions, community 
fundraising campaigns and employee volunteerism.

[Photo]

ST. JUDE MEDICAL'S HEART VALVE AND CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT BUSINESSES
REGULARLY DONATE PRODUCTS TO PHYSICIANS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO PERFORM 
CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY FOR PATIENTS IN NEED AROUND THE WORLD. HERE BARRY 
FORWAND, VICE PRESIDENT, NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS, PACESETTER, AND DEBBIE 
RAYBURN, SUPERVISOR, PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION, EXAMINE PRODUCTS FROM PACESETTER'S 
LOS ANGELES MANUFACTURING FACILITY THAT ARE READY FOR SHIPMENT FOR 
HUMANITARIAN USE AT INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS. IN 1995, ST. JUDE MEDICAL 
PRODUCTS WERE DONATED TO PHYSICIANS WORKING IN ARGENTINA, BOLIVIA, BOSNIA AND 
HERZEGOVINA, CHINA, CROATIA, GUATEMALA, INDIA, PARAGUAY AND UZBEKISTAN, AMONG 
OTHER COUNTRIES.

[Photo]

EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS FOCUS ON ASSISTING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. AT 
THE COMPANY'S MINNESOTA HEADQUARTERS, EMPLOYEES COLLECT DONATED ITEMS TO 
SUPPORT THOSE IN NEED. PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT ARE:  BARB KELM, BECKY KOEPP, 
BARB VOJTECH AND SHARLA WILLIAMSON, SORTING GIFTS FOR DELIVERY FOR THE 1995 
HOLIDAYS.


20
<PAGE>

INVESTOR INFORMATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSFER AGENT
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
718-921-8293
800-937-5449

Correspondence regarding stock holdings and changes of address should be 
directed to the transfer agent.

When shares owned by one shareholder are held in different forms of the same 
name (e.g., John Doe, J. Doe) or when new accounts are established for shares 
purchased at different times, duplicate mailings of shareholder information 
results. The Company, by law, is required to mail to each name on the 
shareholder list unless the shareholder requests that duplicate mailings be 
eliminated or consolidates all accounts. Such requests should be directed, in 
writing, to American Stock Transfer, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS The annual meeting of shareholders will be 
held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, 1996, at the Lutheran Brotherhood 
Building, 625 Fourth Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

INVESTOR INFORMATION A copy of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K or 
other financial reports will be provided free of charge to any shareholder 
upon written request to Investor Relations, St. Jude Medical, Inc., One 
Lillehei Plaza, St. Paul, MN 55117-9983.

St. Jude Medical, Inc. does not issue quarterly shareholder reports. 
Shareholders and security analysts can obtain the latest Company news 
releases, including quarterly results, and other information by calling 
Investor Relations at a toll-free number (1-800-552-7664). Company news 
releases are also available through "Company News On-Call" by fax 
(1-800-758-5804, ext. 816662) or at http://www.prnewswire.com on the 
INTERNET. A St. Jude Medical home page on the INTERNET will be available in 
1996.

DIVIDENDS St. Jude Medical, Inc. discontinued its cash dividend upon 
completion of the acquisition of Pacesetter, which was finalized 
September 30, 1994. The Company did not pay any cash dividends in 1995.

On November 16, 1995, the Company distributed a 50% common stock dividend to 
shareholders of record as of November 2, 1995.

RESEARCH COVERAGE
The following firms currently provide research coverage of St. Jude
Medical, Inc.:

Bear, Stearns & Co., New York, NY
C.J. Lawrence/Deutsche Bank Securities Corporation, New York, NY
CS First Boston, New York, NY
Dain Bosworth Incorporated, Minneapolis, MN
Goldman Sachs & Co., New York, NY
Hambrecht & Quist Incorporated, New York, NY
John G. Kinnard & Co., Minneapolis, MN
JP Morgan Securities, New York, NY
Morgan Keegan & Company , Inc., Memphis, TN
Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated, New York, NY
Paine Webber Incorporated, New York, NY
Piper, Jaffray Incorporated, Minneapolis, MN
Raymond James & Associates, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL
Robert W. Baird Co., Incorporated, Milwaukee, WI
Salomon Brothers Inc., New York, NY
Sanford C. Bernstein, New York, NY
Schroder, Wertheim, New York, NY
UBS Securities, New York, NY
Vector Securities International, Inc., Deerfield, IL
Wasserstein Perella Securities, Inc, New York, NY
Wessels, Arnold & Henderson, Minneapolis, MN

SUPPLEMENTAL MARKET PRICE DATA The common stock of St. Jude Medical, Inc. is 
traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol STJM. The range of high 
and low prices per share for the Company's common stock for fiscal 1995 and 
1994 are set forth below. As of February 5, 1996, the Company had 4,539 
shareholders of record.

                           Year Ended December 31
                          1995                1994
                    ------------------------------------
Quarter              High       Low      High      Low
- --------------------------------------------------------
First               $28.83    $23.67    $20.33    $17.33
Second              $35.67    $27.08    $21.67    $16.50
Third               $42.67    $32.58    $24.17    $20.00
Fourth              $43.25    $32.50    $27.33    $22.50

Price data reflect actual transactions. In all cases, prices shown are 
inter-dealer prices and do not reflect mark-ups, mark-downs and commissions.

TRADEMARKS St. Jude Medical-Registered Trademark-, Toronto SPV-Registered 
Trademark-, SJM X-Cell-TM-, SJM-Registered Trademark-, BioXenoGraft-TM-, 
Synchrony-Registered Trademark-, AutoCapture-TM-, Addvent-TM-, Microny-TM-, 
Passive PLUS-Registered Trademark-, Regency-TM-, Tendril-Registered 
Trademark-, Trilogy-TM-,  PDx-TM-, APSM-TM-, Aegis-TM-, MembraneE-TM-and AV 
PLUS-TM-.

Heartport-TM- and Port-Access-TM- are trademarks of Heartport, Inc. 
Meadox-Registered Trademark- and Hemashield-Registered Trademark- are 
registered trademarks of Meadox Medicals, Inc. Teflon-Registered Trademark- 
and Dacron-Registered Trademark- are registered trademarks of DuPont de 
Nemours, E.I. & Co., Inc. Endovascular Grafting System-TM- is a trademark of 
Endovascular Technologies, Inc. METRIX-TM- is a trademark of InControl, Inc.

                                                                              21
<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND
FINANCIAL CONDITION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION: The Company designs, manufactures and markets medical devices 
and provides services primarily for the cardiovascular segment of the medical 
device market. Principal products include the world's most frequently 
implanted mechanical heart valves, tissue heart valves, bradycardia 
pacemakers and pacemaker leads.

Management's principal objective is to increase shareholder value by focusing 
on customer satisfaction, product innovation, continual product and process 
improvement and investment in medical technologies. The Company has 
implemented a long-term business strategy which focuses investment on 
specific medical device technologies which will provide innovative solutions 
to health care providers and patients.

Effective September 30, 1994, St. Jude Medical acquired from Siemens AG 
substantially all the worldwide assets of its cardiac rhythm management 
operations ("Pacesetter"). The acquisition significantly expanded the 
Company's product offerings and provided a medical technology platform for 
potential further diversification of its business. The Company's 1994 fourth 
quarter and full year 1995 financial results include Pacesetter's operations.

The commentary that follows should be read in conjunction with the 
Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial 
Statements on pages 28 to 37. The Company's fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week 
period ending the Saturday nearest December 31. Fiscal years 1995, 1994 and 
1993 consisted of 52 weeks.

Shown in the following table for the periods indicated are the percentage 
relationships of certain items in the consolidated statements of income to 
net sales and the percentage change of the dollar amounts of such items as 
compared with the prior period. Due to the impact of the Pacesetter 
acquisition, amounts are not directly comparable between years.

                                                              Year-to Year
                          Percent of Net Sales            Increase/(Decrease)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             1995        1994
                           Year Ended December 31        Compared    Compared
                          1995       1994       1993      to 1994     to 1993
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net sales                 100.0%     100.0%     100.0%       101%        42%
Cost of sales              30.8%      28.1%      24.3%       121%        65%
- ------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit               69.2%      71.9%      75.7%        94%        35%
Selling, general and
  administrative           32.9%      27.1%      19.4%       143%        99%
Research and
  development               9.5%       5.8%       4.3%       228%        91%
Purchased research
  and development            --       11.4%        --       (100%)       --
- ------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit           26.8%      27.6%      52.0%        96%       (24%)
Other income
  (expense), net            (.9%)      2.0%       5.5%      (194%)      (49%)
- ------------------------------------------------------
Income before taxes        25.9%      29.6%      57.5%        76%       (27%)
Income tax provision        8.0%       7.6%      14.1%       114%       (24%)
- ------------------------------------------------------
Net income                 17.9%      22.0%      43.4%        63%       (28%)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------



NET SALES: Net sales totalled $723,513 in 1995, a $363,873, or 101%, increase 
over 1994 net sales of $359,640. Approximately $349,000 of the increase was 
attributable to the full year effect of the Pacesetter transaction and 
increased Pacesetter sales. On a comparable business basis, net sales were 
almost $269,000, which was approximately a 6% increase over 1994 net sales.


NET SALES
(IN MILLIONS)

[BAR GRAPH]

- - HEART VALUES
- - CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT
- - OTHER


Mechanical heart valve net sales increased in 1995 in all geographic markets 
despite worldwide health care reform and increased competition which 
continued to put pressure on the number of procedures performed as well as on 
pricing flexibility. Domestic mechanical heart valve net sales increased 
slightly in 1995 due to the full year availability of the St. Jude 
Medical-Registered Trademark- Hemodynamic Plus Series valves and 
collagen-impregnated aortic valved grafts and general price increases that 
were partially offset by a slight reduction in unit sales. International 
mechanical heart valve net sales in 1995 were more than 10% higher than 1994. 
This resulted


22
<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATION AND FINANCIAL 
CONDITION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

mainly from increased unit sales in the developing markets of 
Latin America and the Middle East. In Western Europe, net sales were 
positively impacted by approximately $7,500 in 1995 due to the depreciation 
of the U.S. dollar from 1994 levels.

Tissue heart valve net sales in 1995 increased significantly from 1994 levels 
due to the continuing physician acceptance of the Toronto SPV-TM-valve. 
Cardiac assist device 1995 net sales increased by almost 15% from 1994 levels 
as a result of new product introductions and market share penetration.

Pacesetter net sales totalled almost $455,000. This represented an increase 
of approximately $349,000 from 1994 levels which only included net sales 
subsequent to the purchase of the business on September 30, 1994. The higher 
sales level also resulted from the 1995 introduction of the Trilogy-TM- line 
of bradycardia pacemakers and several advanced pacemaker leads.


NET SALES
(IN MILLIONS)

[BAR GRAPH]

- - UNITED STATES
- - INTERNATIONAL


International net sales were 42% of total net sales in 1995 which was 
consistent with 1994.

Net sales in 1994 of $359,640 were 42% higher than 1993 net sales. The 
increase principally resulted from the fourth quarter 1994 Pacesetter net 
sales and higher mechanical heart valve sales in emerging international 
markets. Domestic mechanical heart valve sales increased due to the 
introduction of the collagen-impregnated aortic valved graft and general 
price increases that were partially offset by a reduction in unit sales.

COST OF SALES: As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales in 1995 increased 
to 30.8% from 28.1% in 1994 primarily as a result of Pacesetter operations. 
Although Pacesetter margins are consistent with the industry, its margins are 
not as high as the Company's heart valve margins. Cost of sales includes 
royalties paid in connection with various license agreements. In addition, 
cost of sales increased in 1995 due to a price increase from the Company's 
supplier of pyrolytic carbon components, the major  components of the 
mechanical heart valve. Also, a higher percentage of mechanical heart valve 
unit sales were generated in the lower margin markets of Latin America and 
the Middle East. These increases were partially offset by reduced royalty 
payments due to the expiration of a license agreement pertaining to 
mechanical heart valve sales during the first quarter 1995.

In 1994, cost of sales as a percentage of sales increased to 28.1% from 24.3% 
in 1993. The increase was principally attributable to lower margin Pacesetter 
sales, a higher percentage of mechanical heart valve sales into lower margin 
emerging markets and a price increase from the Company's supplier of 
pyrolytic carbon components. These increases were partially offset by reduced 
royalty payments to the Company's pyrolytic carbon supplier due to the 
expiration of a contract during the first quarter 1994.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE: Selling, general and administrative 
(SG&A) expense increased in 1995 to $237,569 from $97,577 in 1994. As a 
percentage of net sales, SG&A increased to 32.9% in 1995 from 27.1% in 1994. 
The higher dollar amount and percentage of net sales increase were mainly due 
to Pacesetter operations. Selling efforts for pacemakers are much more labor 
intensive and the Company uses a commission-based independent contractor 
sales force in the U.S. and distributors in all international markets except 
Western Europe. Also, Pacesetter related goodwill amortization was recorded 
for the full year in 1995 compared to only one quarter in 1994. In addition, 
SG&A expenses increased due to additional marketing costs attributable to 
expanded coverage in the Pacific Rim and Latin American markets and an 
increased infrastructure in Western Europe as a result of the Pacesetter 
acquisition. Operating expenses denominated in foreign currencies also 
increased approximately $4,500 due to the depreciation of the U.S. dollar.


                                                                              23

<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATION AND FINANCIAL 
CONDITION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

During 1994, selling, general and administrative expense increased $48,537 
over 1993 levels. The increase was mainly attributable to Pacesetter 
operations, higher domestic mechanical heart valve marketing costs associated 
with increased competition and ISO 9000 certification activities.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: Research and development (R&D) expense in 1995 
increased to $68,970 from $21,008 recorded in 1994 and as a percentage of net 
sales increased to 9.5% from 5.8%. The increase was attributable to the full 
year effect of Pacesetter operations. Pacesetter has major ongoing R&D 
programs in the areas of bradycardia pacemakers and tachycardia 
defibrillators as well as development of a new programmer. A slight decrease 
in R&D for the heart valve business resulted from the completion of certain 
phases of the development of the SJM-Registered Trademark- Masters Series 
rotatable heart valve which was introduced in 1995.


RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
(IN MILLIONS)

[BAR GRAPH]



In 1994, research and development expense increased to $21,008 from $10,972 
recorded in 1993. The increase mainly resulted from Pacesetter's fourth 
quarter operations. Other R&D expenses decreased from 1993 levels due to the 
completion of certain phases of research and  development which was offset by 
increased spending for both mechanical and tissue heart valves.

PURCHASED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: The Pacesetter acquisition was accounted 
for as a purchase and, on this basis, a pre-tax charge of $40,800 for 
purchased research and development was incurred in 1994. Specifically, 
purchased research and development was analyzed by an independent appraisal 
firm through interviews and evaluation of identifiable developmental 
projects. Anticipated future cash flows of certain projects were discounted 
to present values considering risks associated with uncertainties and 
obstacles in  completing projects, technological innovations which could 
decrease the expected cash flows and other potential market changes. Other 
projects were valued using the cost approach which values projects based on 
the buyer's ability to avoid previously incurred costs for projects with no 
alternative future use.

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Other expense totalled $6,615 in 1995 compared to 
other income of $7,056 in 1994. The Pacesetter acquisition which was 
effective September 30, 1994 decreased the Company's cash and marketable 
securities position by $275,000 and increased debt by $255,000. During 1995, 
$135,000 of debt was repaid; however, interest expense in 1995 increased 
significantly over 1994 levels as a result of a full year of debt as opposed 
to one quarter of debt. Due to fluctuations in the U.S. dollar and a shift in 
the relationship between European currencies, foreign exchange contract gains 
and foreign exchange transaction gains were recorded in 1995 compared to 
losses recorded in 1994.

Net other income decreased to $7,056 in 1994 from $13,934 in 1993 mainly due 
to the financing of the Pacesetter acquisition. Interest expense was $3,714 
in 1994 and negligible in 1993 and interest income was significantly reduced. 
Also partnership and joint venture losses were higher in 1994 as significant 
costs were incurred with respect to The Heart Valve Company's development of 
the SJM X-Cell-TM- bioprosthesis.

INCOME TAX PROVISION: The Company's 1995 effective income tax rate increased 
to 31.0% which was 5.5 percentage points higher than the 1994 effective rate. 
The higher rate resulted from lower tax advantaged investment income, income 
from Pacesetter operations which is generally taxed at a higher rate than the 
Company's previously existing business and reduced tax benefits derived from 
the Company's Puerto Rican operations.

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 significantly reduced the tax 
benefits which were previously available from income generated by the 
Company's Puerto Rican operations under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 
936. As a result of this legislation, Puerto Rican tax benefits were reduced 
by an additional 5% in 1995 on top of a 40% reduction in 1994.


24

<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATION AND FINANCIAL 
CONDITION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

OUTLOOK: The Company expects that market demands, government regulation and 
societal pressures will continue to change the health care industry worldwide 
resulting in further business consolidations and alliances. To meet customer 
needs, the Company intends to continue to pursue diversification 
opportunities in the form of acquisitions, joint ventures, partnerships and 
strategic business alliances. In addition, the Company will participate with 
industry groups to promote the introduction and use of advanced medical 
device technology within a cost conscious environment. Finally, customer 
service in the form of cost effective clinical outcomes will continue to be a 
primary focus for the Company.

In 1995, competition continued to increase in the Company's heart valve 
business; however, the Company estimates it held its share of the worldwide 
heart valve market. During 1995, domestic hospital inventory reduction 
programs and increased competition resulted in a slight reduction in domestic 
unit demand for the Company's products. International unit sales growth 
exceeded 10% reflecting continued penetration of emerging markets. 
Competition is anticipated to place downward pressure on pricing and health 
care reform is expected to result in further hospital consolidations over 
time.

The Company's cardiac rhythm management business is also in a highly 
competitive market. During 1995, the Company introduced to the market a 
number of new pulse generators and pacemaker lead products.  The Company 
estimates that it held its share of the worldwide bradycardia segment of the 
cardiac rhythm market in 1995.

The Company has a goal to achieve 15% annual growth in earnings per share. 
However, achievement of this goal could be materially affected by factors 
including, but not limited to, the Company's inability to execute its 
diversification strategy or successfully integrate acquired companies; 
legislative or administrative reform of the U.S. Medicare and Medicaid 
systems in a manner that would significantly reduce reimbursement for 
procedures using the Company's medical devices; unexpected failures of the 
Company's products or continuation of or increases in existing failure modes for
the Company's implanted products; unfavorable developments in the area of
product liability laws affecting medical devices; the acquisition of key patents
by competitors that would have the effect of excluding the Company from new
market segments; or a serious earthquake affecting the Company's Pacesetter 
facility in Los Angeles.

The Company anticipates that its 1996 effective income tax rate will increase 
due to a higher ratio of Pacesetter income which is generally taxed at a 
higher rate, reduced Puerto Rican income as a percentage of total income and 
a lower Puerto Rican tax benefit as IRC Section 936 tax benefits are reduced 
by an additional 5% per year through 1998. There are additional changes to 
IRC Section 936 regulations being proposed by the Internal Revenue Service 
which, if finalized in its present form, would further negatively impact the 
Company's effective tax rate. There are also legislative proposals to 
eliminate the Section 936 tax benefit. The Company cannot predict when, or if 
the regulation or legislative changes will be adopted.

Subsequent to December 31, 1995, the Company had several unusual transactions 
which will be reflected in the first quarter 1996 financial statements. Sale 
of the cardiac assist business for $25,000 will result in a gain of 
approximately $10,000. Acquisition of The Heart Valve Company for $1,000 and 
approximately 149,000 shares of Company common stock will result in a 
purchased research and development charge of approximately $5,000. Settlement 
of litigation related to an acquisition break up fee will result in a gain of 
approximately $3,000. The planned acquisition of Daig Corporation for 
approximately 10,000,000 shares of Company common stock will result in 
transaction related expenses of approximately $5,500. In addition, the Daig 
acquisition is expected to dilute net income by approximately 5% in 1996.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

SUMMARY: The financial condition of the Company was strengthened during 1995. 
The debt incurred with respect to the Pacesetter acquisition was reduced in 
1995 to $120,000 from $255,000 at the end of 1994. Cash and marketable 
securities increased to $166,053 at December 31, 1995, from $136,968 at 
December 31, 1994. Working capital, the difference between current assets and 
current liabilities, was $327,526 at December 31, 1995, a $6,124 increase 
from the prior year end level.


                                                                             25
<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATION AND FINANCIAL 
CONDITION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

LIQUIDITY: Company operations provide a strong, positive cash flow which is 
more than sufficient to meet the Company's operational requirements. Cash 
provided by operations in 1995 amounted to $175,478 compared to $88,933 in 
1994. The current ratio was 2.7 to 1 at December 31, 1995.

The Company has a $260,000 long-term revolving line of credit through 
September 1999 with an eleven member banking syndicate comprised of banks in 
the United States and other countries where it conducts  its business. At 
December 31, 1995, the Company had $140,000 available under the line.

Accounts receivable increased approximately $18,400 in 1995 principally due 
to a shift in sales to emerging markets with longer payment cycles. 
Inventories increased about $28,400 primarily as a result of expanded product 
offerings in both the heart valve and cardiac rhythm management businesses. 
Net property, plant and equipment increased almost $24,100 due to Pacesetter 
plant expansion, pacemaker programmer investments and further development of 
the Company's Woodridge carbon technology center.


CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS
(IN MILLIONS)

[BAR GRAPH]


Cash flow from operations and access to additional capital will enable the 
Company to pursue further diversification opportunities and to fund expected 
capital additions. During 1996 and 1997, the Company will expand pacemaker 
manufacturing capacity in both the U.S. and Sweden. In addition, the Company 
will invest in its information systems and communications infrastructure.

CAPITAL: The Company's capital structure consists of equity and interest 
bearing debt. Interest bearing debt as a percent of total capital was 14.6% 
at December 31, 1995 a reduction from 31.6% at December 31, 1994. More 
importantly, the ratio of debt to cash flow from operations was reduced from 
2.9/1 to .7/1.


CAPITAL STRUCTURE
(IN MILLIONS)

[BAR GRAPH]

- - EQUITY
- - DEBT


Cash dividends paid to shareholders in 1994 were $13,935. The Company 
discontinued its cash dividend subsequent to the third quarter 1994 in order 
to accelerate debt repayment and to provide additional funds for investment 
in new businesses. No repurchases of shares of common stock were made during 
1995 or 1994. The Company may repurchase approximately 1,000,000 additional 
shares under a currently outstanding Board of Directors authorization.

OUTLOOK: Management is unaware of any adverse business trends that would 
materially affect the Company's strong financial position. Should suitable 
investment opportunities arise that would require additional financing, 
management believes that the Company's excellent earnings, strong cash flow 
and solid balance sheet provide a substantial basis to obtain additional 
financing at highly competitive rates and terms.


26
<PAGE>

REPORT OF MANAGEMENT
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The management of St. Jude Medical, Inc. is responsible for the preparation, 
integrity and objectivity of the accompanying financial statements. The 
financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles and include amounts which reflect management's best 
estimates based on its informed judgement and consideration given to 
materiality. Management is also responsible for the accuracy of the related 
data in the annual report and its consistency with the financial statements.

In the opinion of management, the Company's accounting systems and 
procedures, and related internal controls, provide reasonable assurance that 
transactions are executed in accordance with management's intention and 
authorization, that financial statements are prepared in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles, and that assets are properly 
accounted for and safeguarded. The concept of reasonable assurance is based 
on the recognition that there are inherent limitations in all systems of 
internal control, and that the cost of such systems should not exceed the 
benefits to be derived therefrom. Management reviews and modifies the system 
of internal controls to improve its effectiveness. The effectiveness of the 
controls system is supported by the selection, retention and training of 
qualified personnel, an organizational structure that provides an appropriate 
division of responsibility and a strong budgeting system of control.

St. Jude Medical, Inc. also recognizes its responsibility for fostering a 
strong ethical climate so that the Company's affairs are conducted according 
to the highest standards of personal and business conduct. This 
responsibility is reflected in the Company's business ethics policy.

The adequacy of the Company's internal accounting controls, the accounting 
principles employed in its financial reporting and the scope of independent 
and internal audits are reviewed by the Audit Committee of the Board of 
Directors, consisting solely of outside directors. The independent auditors 
and internal auditor meet with, and have confidential access to, the Audit 
Committee to discuss the results of their audit work.

/s/ Ronald A. Matricaria

Ronald A. Matricaria
CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


/s/ Stephen L. Wilson

Stephen L. Wilson
VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Board of Directors
St. Jude Medical, Inc.
St. Paul, Minnesota

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of St. Jude 
Medical, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and the 
related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash 
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995. 
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's 
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial 
statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to 
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free 
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, 
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. 
An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and 
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall 
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a 
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in 
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of St. Jude 
Medical, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 1995 and 1994 and the 
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the 
three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with 
generally accepted accounting principles.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
February 5, 1996


                                                                             27
<PAGE>

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Year Ended December 31              1995           1994          1993
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>            <C>           <C>
Net sales                         $723,513       $359,640      $252,642
Cost of sales                      222,796        100,956        61,342
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                       500,717        258,684       191,300

Selling, general and 
  administrative expense           237,569         97,577        49,040
Research and development expense    68,970         21,008        10,972
Purchased research and
   development charge                              40,800
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit                   194,178         99,299       131,288

Other income (expense), net         (6,615)         7,056        13,934
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before taxes                187,563        106,355       145,222

Income tax provision                58,145         27,121        35,579
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                        $129,418      $  79,234      $109,643
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings per share:
  Primary                         $   1.82      $    1.13      $   1.55
  Fully diluted                   $   1.81      $    1.12      $   1.55
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash dividends paid per share     $     --      $    0.20      $   0.27
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Average shares outstanding:
  Primary                       71,067,000     70,169,000    70,834,000
  Fully diluted                 71,543,000     70,516,000    70,863,000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>


See notes to consolidated financial statements.


28
<PAGE>

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31                                        1995         1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>          <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents                       $  13,438    $  11,791
Marketable securities                             152,615      125,177
Accounts receivable, less allowance               164,492      146,062
  (1995 - $9,328, 1994 - $5,760)
Inventories:
  Finished goods                                   79,638       59,534
  Work in process                                  27,121       21,723
  Raw materials                                    51,652       48,750
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total inventories                                 158,411      130,007
Prepaid income taxes                               15,930        4,448
Other current assets                               15,268       16,597
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets                              520,154      434,082
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 
Land                                                9,949       12,049
Buildings and improvements                         44,160       42,200
Machinery and equipment                           130,998       89,957
Construction in progress                           19,315       12,811
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross property, plant and equipment               204,422      157,017
  Less accumulated depreciation                   (48,174)     (24,852)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net property, plant and equipment                 156,248      132,165
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

OTHER ASSETS                                      339,532      353,651
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS                                   $1,015,934     $919,898
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable                               $   78,364     $ 42,143
Accrued income taxes                               38,965       20,240
Accrued employee compensation 
  and related taxes                                44,684       32,377
Other accrued expenses                             30,615       17,920
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities                         192,628      112,680
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-term debt                                    120,000      255,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTINGENCIES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per 
  share - 25,000,000 shares authorized; 
  no shares issued
Common stock, par value $.10 per share -
  100,000,000 shares authorized; issued 
  and outstanding 1995 - 69,991,700 shares; 
  1994 - 69,718,623 shares                          6,999        6,972
Additional paid-in capital                         31,782       25,947
Retained earnings                                 650,515      521,097
Cumulative translation adjustment                   4,319       (2,484)
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale 
  securities                                        9,691          686
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity                        703,306      552,218
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY     $1,015,934     $919,898
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>


See notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                                                             29
<PAGE>

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Common Stock
                                            ---------------------    Additional             Cumulative   Unrealized      Total
                                            Number of                 Paid-In    Retained   Translation   Gain on     Shareholders'
                                              Shares       Amount     Capital    Earnings   Adjustment   Investments    Equity
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>            <C>
Balance December 31, 1992                  71,276,319     $7,128    $ 58,455     $364,941    $(1,485)      $   --       $429,039
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income                                                                        109,643                                109,643
Issuance of common stock
 upon exercise of stock
 options, net of taxes 
 withheld                                     111,623         11       1,342                                               1,353
Tax benefit realized upon 
 exercise of stock options                                               355                                                 355
Cash dividends
 ( .27 per share)                                                                 (18,786)                               (18,786)
Purchase and retirement
 of common shares                          (1,766,550)      (177)   (35,062)                                             (35,239)
Translation adjustment                                                                        (2,124)                     (2,124)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance December 31, 1993                  69,621,392      6,962     25,090       455,798     (3,609)          --        484,241
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income                                                                         79,234                                 79,234
Issuance of common stock
 upon exercise of stock
 options, net of taxes
 withheld                                      97,231         10        634                                                  644
Tax benefit realized upon
 exercise of stock options                                              223                                                  223
Cash dividends
 ( .20 per share)                                                                 (13,935)                               (13,935)
Translation adjustment                                                                         1,125                       1,125
Unrealized gain on
 investments, net of taxes                                                                                    686            686
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance December 31, 1994                  69,718,623      6,972     25,947       521,097     (2,484)         686        552,218
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income                                                                        129,418                                129,418
Issuance of common stock
 upon exercise of stock
 options, net of taxes
 withheld                                     273,077         27      4,486                                                4,513
Tax benefit realized 
 upon exercise of stock options                                       1,349                                                1,349
Translation adjustment                                                                         6,803                       6,803
Unrealized gain on
 investments, net of taxes                                                                                  9,005          9,005
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE DECEMBER 31, 1995                  69,991,700     $6,999    $31,782      $650,515    $ 4,319       $9,691       $703,306
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>


See notes to consolidated financial statements.


30
<PAGE>

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Year Ended December 31                          1995         1994        1993
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>          <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income                                     $129,418     $ 79,234      $109,643
Adjustments to reconcile net income 
 to net cash provided by operating 
 activities:
  Depreciation                                   20,198        8,313         4,516
  Amortization                                   20,102        7,816         4,458
  Purchased research and development charge                   40,800 
  Changes in operating assets and 
   liabilities net of acquisition:
   Decrease (increase) in accounts 
    receivable                                  (18,662)     (23,079)          718
   Increase in inventories                      (21,846)      (4,024)       (5,972)
   Decrease (increase) in other current assets    1,643       (9,685)       (1,920)
   Increase (decrease) in accounts payable 
    and  accrued expenses                        37,273        7,193        (2,746)
   Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes   19,969       (3,227)        7,061
   Increase in prepaid and deferred income 
    taxes                                       (12,617)     (14,408)         (456)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES       175,478       88,933       115,302
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property, plant and 
 equipment, net                                 (42,961)     (18,789)      (16,422)
Purchases of marketable securities              (26,524)     (88,426)     (153,290)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of 
 marketable securities                           13,500      306,360        81,630
Investments in companies, joint ventures 
 and partnerships                                (3,701)     (13,564)      (12,253)
Acquisition of Pacesetter                        13,000     (524,300)
Other investing activities                        2,694       (7,686)       (3,273)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES           (43,992)    (346,405)     (103,608)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from exercise of stock options           4,514          644         1,353
Cash dividends paid                                          (13,935)      (18,786)
Common stock repurchased                                                   (35,239)
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term 
 debt                                                        255,000
Repayment of long-term debt                    (135,000)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING 
 ACTIVITIES                                    (130,486)     241,709       (52,672)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of currency exchange rate changes 
 on cash                                            647          567          (381)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH 
 EQUIVALENTS                                      1,647      (15,196)      (41,359)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING 
 OF YEAR                                         11,791       26,987        68,346
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR       $ 13,438     $ 11,791      $ 26,987
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>


See notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                                                              31
<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


NOTE 1 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NATURE OF OPERATIONS: St. Jude Medical, Inc. develops, manufactures and 
distributes medical device products with an emphasis on cardiac care 
products. The Company's products are sold in more than 70 countries. 
Principal products sold are prosthetic heart valves and pacemakers. The main 
markets for both products are the United States, Western Europe and Japan. In 
the United States, the Company uses a direct employee-based sales 
organization for its heart valve products and a combination of independent 
contractors and employee-based sales organizations for its pacemaker 
products. In Western Europe, the Company has a direct sales presence in 
thirteen countries. Throughout the rest of the world the Company uses 
distributor-based sales organizations.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION: The consolidated financial statements include 
the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Significant 
intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. 
Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to 
conform with the current year presentation.

USE OF ESTIMATES: The preparation of the financial statements in conformity 
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make 
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial 
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those 
estimates.

ACCOUNTING PERIOD: The Company's fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period 
ending the Saturday nearest December 31. Fiscal years 1995, 1994 and 1993 
consist of 52 weeks.

TRANSLATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES: Assets and liabilities of the Company's 
foreign subsidiaries are translated at exchange rates in effect on reporting 
dates and differences due to changing exchange rates are recorded as 
"cumulative translation adjustment" in shareholders' equity. Income and 
expenses are translated at rates which approximate those in effect on 
transaction dates.

CASH EQUIVALENTS: Cash equivalents, consisting of liquid investments with a 
maturity of three months or less when purchased, are stated at cost which 
approximates market.

INVENTORIES: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is 
determined under the first-in, first-out method. Allowances are made for 
slow-moving, obsolete, unsalable or unusable inventories.

STOCK OPTIONS: The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board 
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related 
interpretations in accounting for stock options. Pro forma information 
regarding net income and earnings per share as calculated under Statement of 
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based 
Compensation," will be disclosed in complete financial statements filed for 
fiscal years beginning subsequent to  December 15, 1995.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AND DEPRECIATION: Property, plant and equipment 
are stated at cost and are depreciated using the straight line method over 
their estimated useful lives ranging from three to 39 years. Accelerated 
depreciation is used by the Company for tax accounting purposes only.

LONG-LIVED ASSETS: Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) No. 121, 
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets 
to Be Disposed Of," requires impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived 
assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the 
undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less 
than the assets' carrying amount. The Company will adopt FAS No. 121 which 
was issued in March 1995 in the first quarter of 1996 and, based on current 
circumstances, does not believe the effect of adoption will be material.

REVENUE RECOGNITION: The Company's general practice is to recognize revenues 
from product sales as shipped and for services as performed.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: Research and development expense includes all 
expenditures for general research into scientific phenomena, development of 
useful ideas into merchantable products and continuing support and upgrading 
of various products. All such expense is charged to operations as incurred.

EARNINGS PER SHARE: Primary and fully diluted earnings per share are computed 
by dividing net income for the year by the weighted average number of shares 
of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding.


32
<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

NOTE 2 ACQUISITIONS

On September 30, 1994, the Company acquired substantially all of the Siemens 
AG worldwide cardiac rhythm management business ("Pacesetter") for $511,300. 
The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase accounting method. 
Goodwill is amortized on a straight line basis over 20 years. The results of 
Pacesetter's operations have been included in the consolidated results of 
operations from the date of acquisition.

In conjunction with the acquisition, the Company recorded a non-cash pre-tax 
charge of $40,800 ($25,300, or $.36 per share, after tax) relating to that 
portion of the purchase price attributable to purchased research and 
development. The purchased research and development charge represents the 
appraised value of the in-process research and development that must be 
expensed under generally accepted accounting principles.

Note 13 discusses the effects of the Pacesetter acquisition on the Company's 
reported results.

NOTE 3 INCOME TAXES

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of 
Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," which 
was adopted in 1993 on a prospective basis. The statement requires use of the 
asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for 
income taxes. The cumulative effect of the accounting change was not material.

The components of income before taxes were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                            1995         1994         1993
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>          <C>
Domestic                  $169,567     $ 97,304     $140,303
Foreign                     17,996        9,051        4,919
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Income before taxes       $187,563     $106,355     $145,222
- ------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

The components of the income tax provision were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                            1995         1994         1993
- ------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>         <C>           <C>
Current:
   Federal                 $43,093     $ 32,958      $21,682
   State and Puerto Rico    11,178        9,898       12,400
   Foreign                   6,226        3,107        1,953
- ------------------------------------------------------------
   Total current            60,497       45,963       36,035
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred:
   Prepaid                  (7,329)      (5,757)         274
   Deferred                  4,977      (13,085)        (730)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
   Total deferred           (2,352)     (18,842)        (456)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax provision       $58,145     $ 27,121      $35,579
- ------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

Deferred income tax assets (liabilities) were comprised of the following
at December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1995         1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>
Net deferred income tax asset:
      Inventory (intercompany profit in inventory
            and excess of tax over book valuation)    $ 16,590     $  5,811
      Intangibles                                       10,728       12,753
      Accruals not currently deductible
            and other                                    7,923        3,806
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred income tax asset                               35,241       22,370
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred income tax liability:
      Accumulated depreciation                          (7,037)      (1,927)
      Unrealized gain on investments                    (5,830)        (421)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred income tax liability                          (12,867)      (2,348)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred income tax asset                         $ 22,374      $20,022
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

The Company's effective income tax rate varied from the statutory U.S.
federal income tax rate of 35% as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          1995         1994          1993
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>         <C>            <C>

Income tax provision at
      U.S. statutory rate                $65,647     $37,224        $50,828
Increase (decrease) in taxes
      resulting from:
      State income taxes, net of
            federal tax benefit            4,398       1,188          2,610
      Tax benefits from
            Foreign Sales Corporation     (1,621)     (1,433)        (1,612)
      Tax benefits from
            Puerto Rican operations       (8,442)     (7,880)       (13,782)
      Tax exempt income                       --      (2,274)        (3,403)
      Foreign taxes at higher
            (lower) rates                 (1,640)        194            358
      Other                                 (197)        102            580
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax provision                     $58,145     $27,121        $35,579
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective income tax rate                   31.0%       25.5%         24.5%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

The Company's effective income tax rate is favorably affected by Puerto Rican 
tax exemption grants which result in Puerto Rican earnings being partially 
tax exempt through the year 2003.

Consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns filed by the Company have been 
examined by the Internal Revenue Service through the year 1989. The Company's 
1990 through 1994 federal income tax returns are presently under audit. Field 
examiners have indicated that the IRS may assert substantial additional taxes 
on Puerto Rican earnings. Management believes any additional taxes which may 
ultimately result from the audit would not have a material adverse effect on 
the Company's financial condition.


                                                                             33
<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

The Company has not recorded deferred income taxes applicable to 
undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries ($17,967 at December 31, 1995) 
because distribution of these earnings generally would not require additional 
taxes due to available foreign tax credits.

The Company made income tax payments of $48,175, $45,737 and $28,385 in 1995, 
1994 and 1993, respectively.

NOTE 4 STOCK PURCHASE AND OPTION PLANS

STOCK PURCHASE: The Company's employee stock purchase savings plan allows 
participating employees to purchase, through payroll deductions, shares of 
common stock at 85% of the fair market value at specified dates. Under the 
terms of the plan, 750,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for 
purchase by plan participants. Employees purchased 97,525 and 26,041 shares 
in 1995 and 1994, respectively. At December 31, 1995, 603,237 shares were 
available for purchase under the plan.

STOCK OPTIONS: Under the terms of the Company's various stock plans, 
8,434,396 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance to 
directors, officers and employees upon the grant of restricted stock or the 
exercise of stock options. Stock options are exercisable over periods up to 
10 years from date of grant and may be "incentive stock options" or 
"non-qualified stock options" and may have stock appreciation rights 
attached. At December 31, 1995, there were a maximum of 5,190,595 shares 
available for grant and 3,243,801 options outstanding, of which 2,507,524 
were exercisable. Stock option activity was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Options             Price
                                  Outstanding         Per Share
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>            <C>
Balance at December 31, 1993       1,930,677     $ 3.06 - 33.08
      Granted                      1,148,625      17.25 - 26.42
      Cancelled                     (138,010)     18.59 - 32.17
      Exercised                       (8,250)      7.20 - 14.63
- --------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1994       2,933,042       3.06 - 33.08
      Granted                        652,275      25.50 - 39.50
      Cancelled                     (165,744)     17.83 - 32.25
      Exercised                     (175,772)      3.56 - 32.25
- --------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1995       3,243,801       3.06 - 39.50
- ---------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

Pursuant to the terms of the Company's various stock plans, optionees can use 
cash, previously owned shares or a combination of cash and previously owned 
shares to reimburse the Company for the cost of the option and the related 
tax liabilities. Shares are acquired from the optionee at the fair market 
value of the stock on the transaction date.

All options have been granted at not less than fair market value at dates of 
grant. When stock options are exercised, the par value of the shares issued 
is credited to common stock and the excess of the proceeds over the par value 
is credited to additional paid-in capital. When non-qualified options are 
exercised, the Company realizes income tax benefits based on the difference 
between the fair value of the stock on the date of exercise and the stock 
option exercise price. These tax benefits do not affect the income tax 
provision, but rather are credited directly to additional paid-in capital.

Under the terms of the Company's shareholder rights agreement, upon the 
occurrence of certain events which result in a change in control as defined 
by the agreement, registered holders of common shares are entitled to 
purchase one-tenth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred 
Stock at a stated price, or to purchase either the Company's shares or shares 
of the acquiring entity at half their market value.

NOTE 5 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND OFF BALANCE SHEET RISK

FOREIGN CURRENCY INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES: From time to time, the 
Company may enter into foreign exchange contracts to manage its exposure to 
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. These contracts involve the 
exchange of foreign currencies for U.S. dollars at a specified rate at future 
dates. Counterparties to these contracts are major international financial 
institutions. Maturities of these instruments are typically one year or less 
from the transaction date. Gains or losses from these contracts are included 
in other income (expense).

The Company had contracts totalling $12,483 at December 31, 1995 and $4,215 
at December 31, 1994, to exchange French Francs, German Marks and Italian 
Lira into U.S. dollars. These instruments were recorded at their fair value 
at each balance sheet date. The cumulative gain (loss) on these contracts 
totalled $45 and ($128) at December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994, 
respectively and was recorded as other income (expense).

LONG-TERM DEBT: The Company has an unsecured $260,000 committed revolving 
line of credit with a  group of 11 banks that terminates in September 1999. 
The rate of interest payable under this borrowing facility is a floating rate 
and is a function of the London Interbank Offered Rate. The weighted average 
rate at December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994, was 6.1% and 5.9%, 
respectively. A facility fee of .085% of the total commitment is paid 
quarterly.


34
<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

The credit agreement contains various covenants which require the Company to 
maintain a specified financial ratio, limit liens, regulate asset disposition 
and subsidiary indebtedness and restrict certain acquisitions and 
investments. At December 31, 1995, the Company was in compliance with these 
covenants.

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: Marketable securities consist of equity 
instruments, bank certificates of deposit and Puerto Rico industrial 
development bonds. Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) 
No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities," 
debt securities that the Company does not have the positive intent to hold to 
maturity and all marketable equity securities are classified as 
available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. Unrealized holding gains 
and losses on securities classified as available-for-sale are carried as a 
separate component of shareholders' equity. The Company adopted the 
provisions of the new standard for investments held or acquired after January 
1, 1994, and has classified all investments as available-for-sale and carried 
them at fair value. In accordance with FAS No. 115, prior period financial 
statements have not been restated to reflect the change in accounting 
principle. No net realized gains or losses were recorded in 1995. A net 
realized loss of $419 was recorded on sales of available-for-sale securities 
in 1994. The net unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities 
included as a separate component of shareholders' equity was $9,691 (net of 
$5,830 of current deferred income taxes) at December 31, 1995.

                                           1995                     1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Estimated                Estimated
                                              Fair                     Fair
                                    Cost      Value         Cost       Value
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets:
      Cash and
            Cash Equivalents      $ 13,438    $ 13,438    $11,791    $ 11,791
      Marketable Securities       $137,094    $152,615    $124,070   $125,177
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company also guarantees certain obligations of its subsidiaries. As
of December 31, 1995 and 1994, the maximum amounts of such guarantees
were $7,500 and $5,000, respectively.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK: Trade accounts receivables, certain marketable 
securities and foreign exchange contracts are the financial instruments which 
may subject the Company to concentration of credit risk.

Within the European Economic Union, payment of certain accounts receivable is 
made by the national health care system within several countries. Although 
the Company does not anticipate collection problems with these receivables, 
payment is contingent to a certain extent upon the economic situation within 
these countries. The credit risk associated with the balance of the trade 
receivables is limited due to dispersion of the receivables over a large 
number of customers in many geographic areas.  The Company monitors the 
credit worthiness of its customers to which it grants credit terms in the 
normal course of business.

Marketable securities are placed with high credit qualified financial 
institutions and Company policy limits the credit exposure to any one 
financial institution. Counterparties to foreign exchange contracts are major 
financial institutions; therefore, credit loss from counterparty 
nonperformance is unlikely.

NOTE 6 RETIREMENT PLANS

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS: The Company has a defined contribution profit 
sharing plan, including features under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue 
Code, which provides retirement benefits to substantially all full-time U.S. 
employees. Under the 401(k) portion of the plan, eligible employees may 
contribute a maximum of 10% of their annual compensation with the Company 
matching the first 3%. The Company's level of contribution to the profit 
sharing portion of the plan is subject to Board of Directors approval and is 
based on Company performance. The Company has additional defined contribution 
programs for employees outside the United States. The benefits under these 
plans are based primarily on compensation levels. Total retirement plan 
expense was $6,558, $2,873 and $1,265 in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.

DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS: In certain countries outside the United States,
the Company maintains defined benefit plans. At December 31, 1995, the
Company's obligations under these plans approximated $6,000.

NOTE 7 SUPPLY OF HEART VALVE COMPONENTS

The Company has a long-term contract for supply of pyrolytic carbon 
components used in its mechanical heart valve prosthesis. Under the terms of 
the contract, 


                                                                             35
<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

the Company has agreed to purchase decreasing percentages of 
its component requirements from the supplier through 1998. After 1995, the 
Company must purchase a minimum of 20% of its component needs from the 
supplier through 1998 at negotiated prices. The contract may be renewed 
annually subsequent to 1998. As part of this contract, the Company has 
granted the supplier a license to produce and sell the supplier's bileaflet 
mechanical heart valve in countries where patents have been issued covering 
the St. Jude Medical-Registered Trademark- mechanical heart valve. Under this 
portion of the contract, the supplier will pay royalties to the Company 
through mid-1998. Under a separate agreement, the Company paid a royalty to 
the supplier based on the number of mechanical heart valves the Company 
produced from its self-manufactured carbon components through August 1993. 
Amortization of these royalty amounts paid was completed in the second 
quarter 1994.

NOTE 8 GEOGRAPHIC AREA

The Company operates in the medical products industry and is segmented into 
two geographic areas -- the United States and Canada (including export sales 
to unaffiliated customers except to customers in Europe, the Middle East and 
Africa) and Europe (including export sales to unaffiliated customers in the 
Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific).

Sales between geographic areas are made at transfer prices which approximate 
prices to unaffiliated third  parties. Export sales from the United States to 
unaffiliated customers were $56,022, $44,050 and $29,926 for 1995, 1994 and 
1993, respectively.

Net sales by geographic area were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                    United States     Europe     Elimina-    Net Sales
                       and Canada                  tions
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                 <C>               <C>        <C>          <C>
1995
Customer sales       $474,677         $248,836   $  --        $723,513
Intercompany sales     97,550            --       (97,550)       --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                     $572,227         $248,836   $(97,550)     723,513
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
1994
Customer sales       $251,244         $108,396   $   --       $359,640
Intercompany sales     71,184            --       (71,184)       --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                     $322,428         $108,396   $(71,184)    $359,640
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
1993
Customer sales       $172,713         $ 79,929   $   --       $252,642
Intercompany sales     59,908            --       (59,908)       --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                     $232,621         $ 79,929   $(59,908)    $252,642
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>
Operating profit by geographic area was as follows:

                    United States
                       and Canada     Europe     Corporate    Total
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
1995                 $156,536         $51,345    $(13,703)    $194,178
1994                 $ 74,026         $36,814    $(11,541)    $ 99,299
1993                 $ 99,092         $41,046    $ (8,850)    $131,288
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Identifiable assets by geographic area were as follows:

                     United States
                        and Canada    Europe      Corporate      Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995                  $588,963        $203,044    $223,927    $1,015,934
1994                  $549,776        $181,470    $188,652    $  919,898
1993                  $ 92,083        $ 40,947    $393,787    $  526,817
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Corporate expenses consist principally of non-allocable general and 
administrative expenses.  Corporate identifiable assets consist principally 
of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities.

NOTE 9 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

Other income (expense), net consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          1995       1994       1993
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>         <C>         <C>
Interest income                       $  7,242    $ 14,001    $ 14,635
Interest expense                       (12,936)     (3,714)         (5)
Foreign exchange gains (losses)            541      (1,937)       (526)
Other                                   (1,462)     (1,294)       (170)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Other income (expense), net           $ (6,615)   $  7,056    $ 13,934
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

NOTE 10 OTHER ASSETS

Other assets as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, net of accumulated
amortization of $34,923 and $25,316, respectively consisted of the
following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  1995          1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>          <C>
Investments in companies, joint ventures
      and partnerships                          $  22,356    $  20,651
Intangibles and other                             317,176      333,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Other assets                                    $ 339,532    $ 353,651
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

Investments in companies, joint ventures, and partnerships are stated at cost 
which approximates market. Intangibles and other assets consist principally 
of the excess of cost over net assets of certain acquired businesses and 
technology. Intangibles and other assets are being amortized over periods 
ranging from ten to 20 years.


36
<PAGE>

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

NOTE 11 CONTINGENCIES

The Company is involved in various products liability lawsuits, claims and 
proceedings of a nature considered normal to its business. In connection with 
two pacemaker lead models, the Company may be subject to future uninsured 
claims. The Company's products lia-bility insurance carrier has denied 
coverage for these models and has filed suit against the Company seeking 
rescission of the policy covering Pacesetter's business retroactive to the 
date the Company acquired Pacesetter.  The Company was a codefendant in a 
1995 class action suit with respect to these leads. This case was settled in 
November 1995. The Company's share of the settle-ment was approximately 
$7,000. Additional claims could be filed by patients with these leads who 
were not class members. Further, claims may be filed in the future relative 
to events currently unknown to management. Management believes losses that 
might be sustained from such actions would not have a material adverse effect 
on the Company's financial condition.

NOTE 12 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

On October 17, 1995, the Board of Directors declared a three for two stock 
split in the form of a 50% stock dividend to shareholders of record on 
November 2, 1995. Earnings per share, dividends per share, shares outstanding 
and weighted average shares outstanding have been restated to reflect the 
stock dividend.

NOTE 13 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On January 5, 1996, the Company acquired The Heart Valve Company, previously 
a 50% owned joint venture with Hancock Jaffee Laboratories (HJL). Under the 
agreement, the Company will pay $1,000 and issue 149,153 shares of its common 
stock to HJL. The acquisition will be accounted for under the purchase 
accounting method and the resulting purchased research and development charge 
of approximately $5,000 will be recorded in the first quarter 1996.

On January 19, 1996, the Company sold its cardiac assist division assets to 
C.R. Bard, Inc. for approximately $25,000 in cash. The selling price exceeded 
the net asset value of the assets and the  resulting gain of approximately 
$10,000 will be recorded in the first quarter 1996.

On January 29, 1996, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to 
acquire Daig Corporation, a Minnetonka, Minnesota based manufacturer of 
specialized cardiovascular devices for the electrophysiology, atrial 
fibrillation and interventional cardiology markets. Each share of Daig common 
stock will be converted into approximately .652 shares of St. Jude Medical 
common stock. The Company expects to issue approximately 10,000,000 shares. 
The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter 1996 and will be 
accounted for as a pooling of interests.

The following unaudited pro forma information has been prepared assuming that 
the Pacesetter and Daig acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of the 
period presented. Permitted adjustments include amortization of goodwill, 
increased interest expense, decreased interest income, the related income tax 
effects and increased outstanding shares of common stock. Pro forma results 
are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had 
the acquisitions actually taken place at the beginning of 1993, or the 
expected results of future operations. The 1993 pro forma results include a 
$25,300, or $.36 per share after-tax, Pacesetter research and development 
charge.

                                        1995        1994        1993
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales                             $761,835    $696,739    $639,686
Net income                            $138,848    $119,174    $ 98,429
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share                    $   1.71    $   1.49    $   1.22
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE 14 QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

Quarterly data for 1995 and 1994 was as follows:

                                            Quarter
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                           First       Second      Third      Fourth
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended
 December 31, 1995:
  Net sales               $180,499    $185,551    $175,953    $181,510
  Gross profit            $121,393    $129,704    $122,687    $126,933
  Net income              $ 30,584    $ 33,124    $ 31,927    $ 33,783
  Earnings per share      $    .43    $    .47    $    .45    $    .47

Year Ended
 December 31, 1994:
  Net sales               $ 66,685    $ 66,736    $ 62,468    $163,751
  Gross profit            $ 49,814    $ 50,277    $ 46,991    $111,602
  Net income              $ 26,537    $ 26,204    $ 24,489    $  2,004*
  Earnings per share      $    .38    $    .37    $    .35    $    .03*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------

*Includes a $25,300 ($.36 per share) charge for purchased research and 
development associated with the Pacesetter acquisition. 

Primary and fully diluted per share results are the same for all quarters in 
1995 and 1994. The full year  1995 and 1994 primary earnings per share were 
both $.01 higher than fully diluted earnings per share due to rounding.

                                                                            37
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TEN-YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

                                   1995          1994**      1993        1992        1991        1990        1989        1988
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS FOR THE
YEAR ENDED:
Net sales                            $723,513    $359,640    $252,642    $239,547    $209,837    $175,160    $147,981    $114,075
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                         $500,717    $258,684     191,300    $179,297    $149,043    $114,730     $94,825     $71,754
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percent of sales                      69.2%       71.9%       75.7%       74.8%       71.0%       65.5%       64.1%       62.9%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit                     $194,178     $99,299    $131,288    $122,258    $100,647     $77,315     $62,221     $45,697
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percent of sales                      26.8%       27.6%       52.0%       51.0%       48.0%       44.1%       42.0%       40.1%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                           $129,418     $79,234    $109,643    $101,658     $83,968     $64,680     $50,916     $33,473
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percent of sales                      17.9%       22.0%       43.4%       42.4%       40.0%       36.9%       34.4%       29.3%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Primary earnings per share*             $1.82       $1.13       $1.55       $1.41       $1.17        $.90        $.71        $.47
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCIAL POSITION AT YEAR END:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and marketable securities       $166,053    $136,968    $368,991    $338,690    $263,314    $179,059    $120,881     $85,688
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Working capital                      $327,526    $321,402    $408,998    $377,321    $301,094    $218,507    $157,063    $113,033
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                       $1,015,934    $919,898    $526,817    $469,750    $375,093    $278,146    $201,735    $143,141
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt                       $120,000    $255,000                               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity           $703,306    $552,218    $484,241    $429,039    $344,727    $254,405    $185,984    $129,742
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OTHER DATA:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends declared per share                     $    .20    $    .27    $    .20
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Primary weighted average shares
outstanding                        71,067,000  70,169,000  70,834,000  71,897,000  72,104,000  71,778,000  71,319,000  70,524,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total employees                         2,315       2,248         722         684         599         544         445         399
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<CAPTION>
                                                    1987        1986
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>         <C> 
SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED:
Net sales                                        $ 71,806    $ 60,473
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                                     $ 41,817    $ 32,567
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percent of sales                                  58.2%       53.9%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating profit                                 $ 28,231    $ 21,477
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percent of sales                                  39.3%       35.5%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                       $ 17,307    $ 12,031
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
  Percent of sales                                  24.1%       19.9%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Primary earnings per share*                      $    .27    $   .20 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------

FINANCIAL POSITION AT YEAR END:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and marketable securities                   $ 65,025    $ 52,526
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Working capital                                  $ 80,883    $ 64,538
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                     $101,671    $ 85,817
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt                                   $    508    $ 26,083
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity                       $ 92,293    $ 49,769
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------

OTHER DATA:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends declared per share
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Primary weighted average shares outstanding    64,218,000  59,916,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Total employees                                       296         262
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>


 *Earnings per share and share data have been adjusted for a 50% stock dividend 
  paid in 1995 and 100% stock dividends paid in 1990, 1989 and 1986.

**Results for 1994 include a $40,800 pre-tax ($25,300, or $0.36 per share, 
  after-tax) charge for  purchased research and development associated with the
  Pacesetter acquisition.


PRIMARY EARNINGS PER SHARE*

[Bar Graph]


CLOSING STOCK PRICE*

[Bar Graph]


CASH FLOW PER SHARE*

[Bar Graph]


BOOK VALUE PER SHARE*

[Bar Graph]


38                                                                            39

<PAGE>

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Board of Directors and the Company's senior management team recognize the 
spirit of activism that defines corporate governance in the 1990s.

The Board performs its fiduciary duties to shareholders by reviewing 
strategic and operating plans; analyzing monthly financial results of 
operations; conducting senior management succession planning; ensuring fair 
and competitive compensation programs; reviewing all diversification 
initiatives; and consulting with the chief executive officer and other 
executives on technology, financing, competitive and government policy 
challenges facing St. Jude Medical.

Board structures that are integral to governance include the Audit, 
Compensation and Nominating Committees. All committees are composed entirely 
of non-employee directors.

The Board has undertaken a number of new initiatives to continuously improve 
corporate governance. These programs are designed to ensure open 
communications with management and improve the Board's capabilities to 
discharge its responsibilities to shareholders.

These initiatives support the Company's guiding principles, which are:

- -    a strong focus on CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

- -    CORE VALUES that include integrity, honesty, respect for the individual 
     and good corporate citizenship

- -    a work ENVIRONMENT characterized by open communication and trust, and 
     allowing employees to take risks and enjoy what they do

- -    DECENTRALIZED decision-making with an emphasis on cross-functional teams

- -    ACCOUNTABILITY and a feeling of ownership.

The guiding principles are integral to St. Jude Medical, are regularly 
communicated to all employees and are the basis of how the Company operates.

The Board of Directors designed in 1994 and implemented in 1995 an annual, 
formal CEO evaluation process. This process began with the creation of a CEO 
job description listing nine "principal CEO accountabilities."

Each year, the CEO develops specific goals under each accountability for the 
Board's review and approval. These goals also form the basis for the 
objectives of senior operations and staff executives.

At the end of each year, Board members complete a confidential written 
evaluation of the CEO's performance consistent with this framework of 
accountabilities and goals. An independent consultant, in conjunction with 
the Board, prepares a summary of the evaluations and meets with the CEO and 
the chairman of the Compensation Committee to present the report.

This process has focused discussion between the Board and CEO and facilitated 
Board review of the Company's strategic and operating plans. A business 
periodical has documented St. Jude Medical's CEO evaluation process.(1)

In support of the Board's fiduciary duties, an active shareholder relations 
program is a critical component of the Company's communications strategy. 
Financial information is distributed widely through various means, including 
electronic media. Company executives participate in financial conferences 
sponsored by investment firms, and meet regularly with investors. Also, the 
Company annually hosts an investment community meeting at a St. Jude Medical 
facility.

A recent corporate governance initiative focuses on the composition and 
expertise of the Board of Directors. It is important that the Board be 
diverse in its background and perspective. The Company believes the Board 
should bring strong collective expertise in areas such as general management, 
medical technology and health care, international business, corporate 
development, strategic planning, public policy, capital markets and 
information technology.

A self-evaluation process is being developed by the Board of Directors to 
enhance its contributions to St. Jude Medical's success.


(1) Muschewske, Robert C., Ph.D., "CEO Evaluation: A Process That Worked," 
DIRECTORS AND BOARDS, Summer 1995.


[Recycle Symbol]

- -Copyright- 1996 St. Jude Medical, Inc.
Printed in U.S.A. on recycled paper. Covers and pages 1-20 are printed on
paper that contains 40% preconsumer and 10% postconsumer material. Pages 21-40
are printed on paper that contains 30% preconsumer and 20% postconsumer
material.


<PAGE>

LEADERSHIP
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC.
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA
- ---------------------------------------
Ronald A. Matricaria
CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

John P. Berdusco
VICE PRESIDENT, ADMINISTRATION

Peter L. Gove
VICE PRESIDENT,
CORPORATE RELATIONS

Robert E. Helbling
VICE PRESIDENT,
CORPORATE DISTRIBUTION

Kevin T. O'Malley, Esq.
VICE PRESIDENT AND
GENERAL COUNSEL

E. Phillip Palmer
VICE PRESIDENT,
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT

Stephen L. Wilson
VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE AND 
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Harold A. Bencic
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
EDS

ST. JUDE MEDICAL DIVISION
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA
- ---------------------------------------
Terry L. Shepherd
PRESIDENT

Darrin J. Bergman
DIRECTOR, MECHANICAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Robert S. Elgin
VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS

Alan R. Flory, DVM
DIRECTOR, CLINICAL AND
REGULATORY AFFAIRS

Donald S. Guzik
DIRECTOR, QUALITY SYSTEMS

Steven J. Healy
DIRECTOR, WORLDWIDE MARKETING

C. Walton Lillehei, Ph.D., M.D.
MEDICAL DIRECTOR

M. William Mirsch II
DIRECTOR, TISSUE
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Patrick J. O'Neill
DIRECTOR, FINANCE AND
CUSTOMER SERVICE

Jan M. Webster
DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES

PACESETTER DIVISION
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
- ---------------------------------------
David W. Adinolfi
VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING

Andrew K. Balo
VICE PRESIDENT, WORLDWIDE QUALITY 
ASSURANCE AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS

Fred A. Colen
MANAGING DIRECTOR, PACESETTER AB

Barry L. Forwand
VICE PRESIDENT,
NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

Diane M. Johnson, Esq.
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND 
GENERAL COUNSEL

Mark W. Kroll, Ph.D.
VICE PRESIDENT, TACHYCARDIA 
BUSINESS UNIT

Paul A. Levine, M.D., F.A.C.C.
VICE PRESIDENT, MEDICAL SERVICES

David R. Morley
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS

Franklin R. Rick
VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE

Mary C. Sutton, Esq.
VICE PRESIDENT, HUMAN RESOURCES

INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
- ---------------------------------------
Terrie M. Ajamil
VICE PRESIDENT, AREA OPERATIONS, 
ASIA-PACIFIC

J. Gary Jordan
VICE PRESIDENT AND
GENERAL MANAGER,
ST. JUDE MEDICAL CANADA

Edward A. Storch
VICE PRESIDENT, AREA OPERATIONS, 
LATIN AMERICA

ST. JUDE MEDICAL EUROPE, 
MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- ---------------------------------------
Patrick P. Fourteau
PRESIDENT

Michel Cavadini
DIRECTOR, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

Michael D. Dale
BUSINESS UNIT DIRECTOR, HEART 
VALVE DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Roland Gerard
DIRECTOR, REGULATORY AFFAIRS AND 
QUALITY ASSURANCE

Jon P. Hunt, Ph.D.
BUSINESS UNIT DIRECTOR,
CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT

Tonni Bulow-Nielsen
DIRECTOR, TACHYCARDIA PRODUCTS

David L. Vied
DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES

Dr. Ignacio L. Balboa
MANAGING DIRECTOR,
SPAIN AND PORTUGAL,
ST. JUDE MEDICAL ESPANA S.A.

Hugues d'Athis
MANAGING DIRECTOR
PACESETTER FRANCE S.A.

Sten Elfver
MANAGING DIRECTOR, AUSTRIA, 
SWITZERLAND, BENELUX AND NORDIC 
COUNTRIES

Jurgen Fuchs
MANAGING DIRECTOR, GERMANY
ST. JUDE MEDICAL GMBH

Ruud Helwig
MANAGING DIRECTOR, EASTERN 
EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
ST. JUDE MEDICAL MEDIZINTECHNIK 
GES.M.B.H

Jean-Louis Norre
MANAGING DIRECTOR,
ST. JUDE MEDICAL FRANCE S.A.

Roger G. Osborne
MANAGING DIRECTOR,
UNITED KINGDOM
ST. JUDE MEDICAL U.K., LTD.

Angelo Rivetti
MANAGING DIRECTOR, ITALY
ST. JUDE MEDICAL ITALIA S.P.A.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

[Photo]

Thomas H. Garrett, III (3) 
ATTORNEY
Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P.
Minneapolis, Minnesota

[Photo]

Kenneth G. Langone (2)
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Invemed Associates, Inc.
New York, New York

[Photo]

Lawrence A. Lehmkuhl (3)
FORMER CHAIRMAN, 
PRESIDENT AND CEO
St. Jude Medical, Inc.
Dellwood, Minnesota

[Photo]

Ronald A. Matricaria
CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT 
AND CEO
St. Jude Medical, Inc.
St. Paul, Minnesota

[Photo]

William R. Miller (2)
FORMER VICE CHAIRMAN 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
New York, New York

[Photo]

Charles V. Owens (3)
CHAIRMAN
Genesis Labs, Inc.
Minneapolis, Minnesota

[Photo]

Walter L. Sembrowich, 
Ph.D. (1)
PRESIDENT
Aviex, Inc.
Minneapolis, Minnesota

[Photo]

Roger G. Stoll, Ph.D. (1)
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 
AND PRESIDENT
Ohmeda, Inc.
Liberty Corner,
New Jersey

[Photo]

Gail R. Wilensky, Ph.D. (1)
SENIOR FELLOW
Project Hope
Washington, D.C.
 
(1)    DENOTES MEMBERS OF NOMINATING COMMITTEE
(2)    DENOTES MEMBERS OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
(3)    DENOTES MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

<PAGE>

[Logo] 

ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC.

ONE LILLEHEI PLAZA

ST. PAUL, MN 55117-9983

PHONE:  612-483-2000

TELEX:  298453

FAX:    612-490-4333



<PAGE>

                    ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  EXHIBIT 21 - SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT

ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC.:

Pacesetter, Inc. (Delaware)
St. Jude Medical, Inc., Cardiac Assist Division (Delaware)
St. Jude Medical S.C., Inc. (Minnesota)
St. Jude Medical Europe, Inc. (Delaware)
St. Jude Medical International, Inc. (Delaware)
St. Jude Medical Sales Corporation (Barbados)
St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico, Inc. (Delaware)
151703 Canada Inc. (Canada)
Pacesetter Netherland Distribution AB (Sweden)
Pacesetter AB (Sweden)
St. Jude Medical Sweden AB (Sweden)
St. Jude Medical Italia S.p.a. (Italy)
Pacesetter France SA (France)
St. Jude Medical Danmark A/s (Denmark)
St. Jude Medical Finland O/y (Finland)
St. Jude Medical AG (Switzerland)
St. Jude Medical GmbH (Germany)
St. Jude Medical Medizintechnik Ges.m.b.H. (Austria)
N.V. St. Jude Medical Belgium, S.A. (Belgium)
St. Jude Medical France S.A. (France)
St. Jude Medical Espagna S.A. (Spain)
St. Jude Medical UK Limited (United Kingdom)
Pacesetter Medical Products Limited (United Kingdom)
Partner Acquisition Corp. (Minnesota)
St. Jude Medical Nederland B.V. (Netherlands)
St. Jude Medical, Canada Inc. (Canada)
St. Jude Medical Pacesetter Sales AB (Sweden)









<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 23







Consent of Independent Auditors



We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K)
of St. Jude Medical, Inc. of our report dated February 5, 1996, included in the
1995 Annual Report to Shareholders of St. Jude Medical, Inc.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement 
No. 33-9262; Registration Statement No. 33-29085; Registration Statement 
No. 33-41459; Registration Statement No. 33-48502 and Registration Statement 
No. 33-54435 on Form S-8 of our reports dated February 5, 1996, with respect to
the consolidated financial statements and schedule of St. Jude Medical, Inc. 
included in or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) 
for the year ended December 31, 1995.




/s/   Ernst & Young
- ------------------------------
Ernst & Young
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 27, 1996
























<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          13,438
<SECURITIES>                                   152,615
<RECEIVABLES>                                  173,820
<ALLOWANCES>                                     9,328
<INVENTORY>                                    158,411
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               520,154
<PP&E>                                         204,422
<DEPRECIATION>                                  48,174
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,015,934
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          192,628
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         6,999
<OTHER-SE>                                     696,307
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,015,934
<SALES>                                        723,513
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               723,513
<CGS>                                          222,796
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  222,796
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,510
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              12,936
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                187,563
<INCOME-TAX>                                    58,145
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            129,418
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   129,418
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.82
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.81
        

</TABLE>


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