ST JUDE MEDICAL INC
SC 13E4/A, 1998-03-26
ELECTROMEDICAL & ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS
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<PAGE>
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

                                Amendment No. 1
                                       TO
                                 SCHEDULE 13E-4
                         ISSUER TENDER OFFER STATEMENT
     (PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(E)(1) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934)

                       ---------------------------------
                                        
                             St. Jude Medical, Inc.
                                (Name of Issuer)

                             ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC.
                      (Name of Person(s) Filing Statement)

                       ---------------------------------
                                        
                     COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.10 PER SHARE
             (INCLUDING ASSOCIATED PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS)
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   790849103
                     (CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)

                               KEVIN T. O'MALLEY
                       VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                             ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC.
                               ONE LILLEHEI PLAZA
                           ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55117
                                 (612) 483-2000
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and
                                 Communications
                   on Behalf of the Person Filing Statement)

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

                                    Copy to:
                                GARY L. TYGESSON
                              DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP
                             220 SOUTH SIXTH STREET
                          MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55402
                                 (612) 340-8753

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

                               February 12, 1998
     (Date Tender Offer First Published, Sent or Given to Security Holders)

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

                           CALCULATION OF FILING FEE

================================================================================
TRANSACTION VALUATION*                                      AMOUNT OF FILING FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     $312,000,000                                                  $62,400
================================================================================
 *  Calculated solely for purposes of determining the filing fee, based upon
    the purchase of 8,000,000 shares at the maximum tender offer price per
    share of $39.00.

[x] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule 0-11(a)(2)
    and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was previously paid.
    Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form
    or schedule and the date of its filing.

Amount Previously Paid: $62,400             Filing Party: St. Jude Medical, Inc.
Form or Registration No.: Schedule 13E-4          Date Filed: February 12, 1998
<PAGE>
 
     This Amendment No. 1 amends and supplements the Issuer Tender Offer
Statement on Schedule 13E-4 (the "Statement") dated February 12, 1998 relating
to the tender offer by St. Jude Medical, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the
"Company"), to purchase up to 8,000,000 shares of its common stock, par value
$.10 per share (the "Shares"), including the associated Preferred Stock Purchase
Rights, at prices, net to the seller in cash, not in excess of $39.00 nor less
than $32.00 per Share, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
the Offer to Purchase, dated February 12, 1998 (the "Offer to Purchase") and the
related Letter of Transmittal (which are herein collectively referred to as the
"Offer"). Copies of such documents were filed as Exhibits (a)(1) and (a)(2),
respectively, to the Statement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Offer to Purchase.

ITEM 2.   SOURCE AND AMOUNT OF FUNDS OR OTHER CONSIDERATION

Item 2 is hereby supplemented and amended as follows:

     (a)-(b) The funds necessary to purchase the Shares pursuant to the Offer
were obtained through a $150,000,000 364 Day Credit Agreement (the "364 Day
Credit Agreement") dated as of March 16, 1998 among St. Jude Medical, Inc.,
Pacesetter, Inc., Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as
Administrative Agent, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, as Syndication
Agent, The First National Bank of Chicago, as Documentation Agent, and the other
financial institutions party thereto, arranged by BancAmerica Robertson
Stephens, and a $350,000,000 5 Year Credit Agreement (the "5 Year Credit
Agreement" and together with the 364 Day Credit Agreement, the "Credit
Agreements") dated as of March 16, 1998 among St. Jude Medical, Inc.,
Pacesetter, Inc., Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as
Administrative Agent, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, as Syndication
Agent, The First National Bank of Chicago, as Documentation Agent, and the other
financial institutions party thereto, arranged by BancAmerica Robertson
Stephens. All information required by this Item 2 is set forth in the
description of the Commitment Letter contained in "Section 10. Source and Amount
of Funds" of the Offer to Purchase and is incorporated herein by reference. The
terms of the Credit Agreements do not differ materially from the information set
forth in the Offer to Purchase. The Credit Agreements are attached hereto as
Exhibits (b)(2) and (b)(3) and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 8.  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Item 8(e) is hereby supplemented and amended as follows:

     On March 13, 1998, the Company issued a press release announcing the
preliminary results of the Offer, which expired at 12:00 Midnight, New York City
time, on March 12, 1998.  On March 20, 1998, the Company issued a press release

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
announcing the final results of the Offer pursuant to which the Company
purchased 8,000,000 Shares at a price of $38.00 per Share. The Shares purchased
pursuant to the Offer represent approximately 8.7% of the 91,940,672 Shares
outstanding as of February 10, 1998. The press releases are attached hereto as
Exhibits (a)(10) and (a)(11) and are incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 9.   MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS

(a)(10) Form of Press Release issued by the Company dated March 13, 1998.
(a)(11) Form of Press Release issued by the Company dated March 20, 1998.
(b)(2)  $150,000,000 364 Day Credit Agreement dated as of March 16, 1998 among
        St. Jude Medical, Inc., Pacesetter, Inc., Bank of America National Trust
        and Savings Association, as Administrative Agent, Credit Suisse First
        Boston Corporation, as Syndication Agent, The First National Bank of
        Chicago, as Documentation Agent, and the other financial institutions
        party thereto, arranged by BancAmerica Robertson Stephens.

(b)(3)  $350,000,000 5 Year Credit Agreement dated as of March 16, 1998 among
        St. Jude Medical, Inc., Pacesetter, Inc., Bank of America National Trust
        and Savings Association, as Administrative Agent, Credit Suisse First
        Boston Corporation, as Syndication Agent, The First National Bank of
        Chicago, as Documentation Agent, and the other financial institutions
        party thereto, arranged by BancAmerica Robertson Stephens

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
                                    SIGNATURE

     After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

                                    St. Jude Medical, Inc.


Dated: March 26, 1998               By: /s/ Robert E. Munzenrider
                                        -------------------------
                                        Robert E. Munzenrider
                                        Vice President, Finance and
                                        Chief Financial Officer
 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

ITEM    DESCRIPTION                                                         PAGE
- ----    -----------                                                         ----
                                                                                
(a)(10) Form of Press Release issued by the Company dated
        March 13, 1998.............................................
(a)(11) Form of Press Release issued by the Company dated
        March 20, 1998.............................................
(b)(2)  $150,000,000 364 Day Credit Agreement dated as of 
        March 16, 1998 among St. Jude Medical, Inc., 
        Pacesetter, Inc., Bank of America National Trust
        and Savings Association, as Administrative Agent, 
        Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, as 
        Syndication Agent, The First National Bank of
        Chicago, as Documentation Agent, and the other 
        financial institutions party thereto, arranged by 
        BancAmerica Robertson Stephens............................
(b)(3)  $350,000,000 5 Year Credit Agreement dated as of 
        March 16, 1998 among St. Jude Medical, Inc., 
        Pacesetter, Inc., Bank of America National 
        Trust and Savings Association, as Administrative 
        Agent, Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, 
        as Syndication Agent, The First National Bank of 
        Chicago, as Documentation Agent, and the other 
        financial institutions party thereto, arranged by 
        BancAmerica Robertson Stephens............................

<PAGE>
                                                                 Exhibit (a)(10)
 
                ST. JUDE MEDICAL ANNOUNCES PRELIMINARY MODIFIED
                   "DUTCH AUCTION" SELF-TENDER OFFER RESULTS

St. Paul, MN, March 13, 1998 -- St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) announced 
today that, based on a preliminary count, it expects to purchase 8,000,000 
shares of its common stock for $38.00 per share, under the terms of its modified
"Dutch Auction" self-tender offer that expired at 12:00 Midnight, New York City 
time, on March 12, 1998. The number of shares expected to be purchased includes 
2,523,207 shares tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set 
forth in the terms of the offer.

The preliminary count by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, depositary for
the offer, indicated that 10,379,148 shares were tendered and not withdrawn at 
or below the $38.00 purchase price selected by the Company. As a result of the 
oversubscription, shares actually purchased from each tendering shareholder will
be prorated. The preliminary proration factor is 76.914 percent. Shares tendered
by holders of less than 100 shares are not subject to proration under the terms 
of the offer.

The Company commenced the offer on Thursday, February 12, 1998, for up to 8 
million shares of its common stock at a purchase price not in excess of $39.00 
nor less than $32.00 per share.

The actual number of shares to be purchased, the purchase price and the final 
proration factor are subject to final verification that all shares tendered and 
not withdrawn, including shares tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery 
procedures, have been properly delivered. Payment for shares properly tendered 
and accepted for purchase will be made as soon as practicable. All shares 
tendered and not purchased by the Company will be returned promptly to 
shareholders.

The shares expected to be purchased represent about 8.7 percent of the 
91,940,672 shares of the Company's common stock outstanding immediately prior to
the offer. After purchasing the shares, St. Jude Medical will have about 
83,940,672 shares of common stock outstanding.

The Company believes that the offer is an attractive use of the Company's 
financial resources and that the use of cash and borrowings to fund the offer 
will result in a more efficient capital structure for St. Jude Medical.

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (www.sjm.com) develops, manufactures and distributes 
medical devices for the global cardiovascular market. The Company serves 
patients and its health care customers worldwide with the highest quality 
products and services including heart valves, cardiac rhythm management systems,
specialty catheters and other cardiovascular devices.

<PAGE>
                                                                 Exhibit (a)(11)

              ST. JUDE MEDICAL COMPLETES MODIFIED "DUTCH AUCTION"
              SELF-TENDER OFFER WITH PURCHASE OF 8 MILLION SHARES

St. Paul, MN, March 20, 1998 -- St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) announced 
today that it has completed the purchase of 8 million shares of its common stock
for $38.00 per share, under the terms of its modified "Dutch Auction" 
self-tender offer that expired on March 12, 1998.

The Company said that 10,378,657 shares were validly tendered and not withdrawn 
at or below the $38.00 purchase price selected by the Company. As a result of 
the oversubscription, shares actually purchased from each tendering shareholder 
were subject to a final proration factor of 76.976499 percent.  Shares tendered 
by holders of less than 100 shares were not subject to proration under the terms
of the offer.

The Company commenced the offer on Thursday, February 12, 1998, for up to 8 
million shares of its common stock at a purchase price not in excess of $39.00 
nor less than $32.00 per share.

Payment for shares properly tendered and not withdrawn will be made Monday, 
March 23, 1998. Shares that were tendered but not purchased by the Company will 
be promptly returned to shareholders.

The shares purchased represent 8.7 percent of the 91,940,672 shares of the 
Company's common stock outstanding immediately prior to the offer. St. Jude 
Medical will now have approximately 83,940,672 shares of common stock 
outstanding.

St. Jude Medical, Inc. (www.sjm.com) develops, manufactures and distributes 
medical devices for the global cardiovascular market. The Company serves 
patients and its health care customers worldwide with the highest quality 
products and services including heart valves, cardiac rhythm management systems,
specialty catheters and other cardiovascular devices.


<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT (b)(2)

================================================================================



                              $150,000,000 364 DAY


                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                           DATED AS OF MARCH 16, 1998


                                      AMONG


                             ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC.,

                                PACESETTER, INC.

                         BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                            AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,

                            AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,

                           CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON,

                              AS SYNDICATION AGENT,

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,

                             AS DOCUMENTATION AGENT


                                       AND


                  THE OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO


                                   ARRANGED BY

                         BANCAMERICA ROBERTSON STEPHENS


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>            <C>                                                                                               <C>
Section                                                                                                        Page
    ARTICLE I
                                                   DEFINITIONS..................................................  1
    1.01       CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS............................................................................  1
    1.02       OTHER INTERPRETIVE PROVISIONS.................................................................... 19
               (a)     DEFINED TERMS............................................................................ 19
               (b)     THE AGREEMENT............................................................................ 19
               (c)     CERTAIN COMMON TERMS..................................................................... 19
               (d)     PERFORMANCE; TIME........................................................................ 20
               (e)     CONTRACTS................................................................................ 20
               (f)     LAWS..................................................................................... 20
               (g)     CAPTIONS................................................................................. 20
               (h)     INDEPENDENCE OF PROVISIONS............................................................... 20
    1.03       ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES............................................................................ 20

    ARTICLE II
                                                     THE CREDIT................................................. 21
    2.01       THE REVOLVING CREDIT............................................................................. 21
    2.02       LOAN ACCOUNTS; BID LOAN NOTES.................................................................... 21
    2.03       PROCEDURE FOR COMMITTED BORROWING................................................................ 22
    2.04       CONVERSION AND CONTINUATION ELECTIONS............................................................ 23
    2.05       BID BORROWINGS................................................................................... 25
    2.06       PROCEDURE FOR BID BORROWINGS..................................................................... 25
    2.07       VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OR REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS................................................ 29
    2.08       OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS............................................................................. 29
    2.09       OPTIONAL INCREASE IN COMMITMENTS................................................................. 30
    2.10       REPAYMENT........................................................................................ 30
    2.11       INTEREST......................................................................................... 30
    2.12       FEES............................................................................................. 31
               (a)     ARRANGEMENT, AGENCY FEES, OTHER FEES..................................................... 31
               (b)     FACILITY FEES............................................................................ 32
    2.13       COMPUTATION OF FEES AND INTEREST................................................................. 32
    2.14       PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANIES........................................................................ 33
    2.15       PAYMENTS BY THE BANKS TO THE AGENT............................................................... 34
    2.16       SHARING OF PAYMENTS, ETC......................................................................... 35

    ARTICLE III
                                       TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY................................... 35
    3.01       TAXES............................................................................................ 35
    3.02       ILLEGALITY....................................................................................... 37
    3.03       INCREASED COSTS AND REDUCTION OF RETURN.......................................................... 37
    3.04       FUNDING LOSSES................................................................................... 38
    3.05       INABILITY TO DETERMINE RATES..................................................................... 39
    3.06       RESERVES ON OFFSHORE RATE COMMITTED LOANS........................................................ 40
    3.07       CERTIFICATES OF BANKS............................................................................ 40
    3.08       SUBSTITUTION OF BANKS............................................................................ 40
    3.09       SURVIVAL......................................................................................... 40
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>            <C>                                                                                               <C>
    ARTICLE IV
                                                CONDITIONS PRECEDENT............................................ 40
    4.01       CONDITIONS OF INITIAL LOANS...................................................................... 41
               (a)     CREDIT AGREEMENT; NOTES.................................................................. 41
               (b)     RESOLUTIONS; INCUMBENCY.................................................................. 41
               (c)     ORGANIZATION DOCUMENTS; GOOD STANDING.................................................... 41
               (d)     LEGAL OPINIONS........................................................................... 41
               (e)     PAYMENT OF FEES.......................................................................... 41
               (f)     CERTIFICATE.............................................................................. 42
               (g)     OTHER DOCUMENTS.......................................................................... 42
    4.02       CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS..................................................................... 42
               (a)     NOTICE OF BORROWING OR CONVERSION/CONTINUATION........................................... 42
               (b)     CONTINUATION OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES........................................... 42
               (c)     NO EXISTING DEFAULT...................................................................... 43

    ARTICLE V
                                           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES....................................... 43
    5.01       CORPORATE EXISTENCE AND POWER.................................................................... 43
    5.02       CORPORATE AUTHORIZATION; NO CONTRAVENTION........................................................ 43
    5.03       GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION....................................................................... 44
    5.04       BINDING EFFECT................................................................................... 44
    5.05       LITIGATION....................................................................................... 44
    5.06       NO DEFAULT....................................................................................... 45
    5.07       ERISA COMPLIANCE................................................................................. 45
    5.08       USE OF PROCEEDS; MARGIN REGULATIONS.............................................................. 46
    5.09       TITLE TO PROPERTIES.............................................................................. 46
    5.10       TAXES............................................................................................ 46
    5.11       FINANCIAL CONDITION.............................................................................. 46
    5.12       ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS............................................................................ 47
    5.13       REGULATED ENTITIES............................................................................... 47
    5.14       NO BURDENSOME RESTRICTIONS....................................................................... 47
    5.15       COPYRIGHTS, PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND LICENSES, ETC................................................ 48
    5.16       SUBSIDIARIES..................................................................................... 48
    5.17       INSURANCE........................................................................................ 48
    5.18       FULL DISCLOSURE.................................................................................. 48

    ARTICLE VI
                                                AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS........................................... 49
    6.01       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS............................................................................. 49
    6.02       CERTIFICATES; OTHER INFORMATION.................................................................. 49
    6.03       NOTICES.......................................................................................... 50
    6.04       PRESERVATION OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC......................................................... 51
    6.05       MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY.......................................................................... 52
    6.06       INSURANCE........................................................................................ 52
    6.07       PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS........................................................................... 52
    6.08       COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS............................................................................. 53
    6.09       INSPECTION OF PROPERTY AND BOOKS AND RECORDS..................................................... 53
    6.10       ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS............................................................................... 53
    6.11       USE OF PROCEEDS.................................................................................. 53

    ARTICLE VII
                                                 NEGATIVE COVENANTS............................................. 54

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>            <C>                                                                                               <C>
    7.01       LIMITATION ON LIENS.............................................................................. 54
    7.02       DISPOSITION OF ASSETS............................................................................ 56
    7.03       CONSOLIDATIONS AND MERGERS....................................................................... 57
    7.04       LOANS AND INVESTMENTS............................................................................ 57
    7.06       TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES..................................................................... 59
    7.07       USE OF PROCEEDS; REGULATIONS .................................................................... 59
    7.08       LIMITATION ON SUBSIDIARY DIVIDENDS. ............................................................. 59
    7.09       JOINT VENTURES................................................................................... 59
    7.10       [Reserved]....................................................................................... 59
    7.11       RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.............................................................................. 59
    7.12       CHANGE IN BUSINESS............................................................................... 60
    7.13       ACCOUNTING CHANGES............................................................................... 60
    7.14       INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO.......................................................................... 60
    7.15       TOTAL DEBT TO TOTAL CAPITALIZATION............................................................... 61


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                                  EVENTS OF DEFAULT............................................. 61
    8.01       EVENT OF DEFAULT................................................................................. 61
               (a)     NON-PAYMENT.............................................................................. 61
               (b)     REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY............................................................... 61
               (c)     SPECIFIC DEFAULTS........................................................................ 61
               (d)     OTHER DEFAULTS........................................................................... 61
               (e)     CROSS-DEFAULT............................................................................ 61
               (f)     INSOLVENCY; VOLUNTARY PROCEEDINGS........................................................ 62
               (g)     INVOLUNTARY PROCEEDINGS.................................................................. 62
               (h)     ERISA.................................................................................... 63
               (i)     MONETARY JUDGMENTS....................................................................... 63
               (j)     NON-MONETARY JUDGMENTS................................................................... 63
               (k)     CHANGE OF CONTROL........................................................................ 63
               (l)     LOSS OF LICENSES......................................................................... 63
    8.02       REMEDIES......................................................................................... 64
    8.03       RIGHTS NOT EXCLUSIVE............................................................................. 64

    ARTICLE IX
                                                      THE AGENT................................................. 64
    9.01       APPOINTMENT AND AUTHORIZATION.................................................................... 64
    9.02       DELEGATION OF DUTIES............................................................................. 65
    9.03       LIABILITY OF AGENT............................................................................... 65
    9.04       RELIANCE BY AGENT................................................................................ 65
    9.05       NOTICE OF DEFAULT................................................................................ 66
    9.06       CREDIT DECISION.................................................................................. 66
    9.07       INDEMNIFICATION.................................................................................. 67
    9.08       AGENT IN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY..................................................................... 68 
    9.09       SUCCESSOR AGENT.................................................................................. 68
    9.10       WITHHOLDING TAX.................................................................................. 69
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>            <C>                                                                                               <C>
    ARTICLE X
                                                    MISCELLANEOUS............................................... 70
    10.01      AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS........................................................................... 70 
    10.02      NOTICES.......................................................................................... 71
    10.03      NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES................................................................... 72 
    10.04      COSTS AND EXPENSES............................................................................... 72 
    10.05      INDEMNITY........................................................................................ 73
    10.06      PAYMENTS SET ASIDE............................................................................... 73
    10.07      SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS........................................................................... 74
    10.08      ASSIGNMENTS, PARTICIPATIONS, ETC................................................................. 74
    10.09      SET-OFF.......................................................................................... 78 
    10.10      NOTIFICATION OF ADDRESSES, LENDING OFFICES, ETC.................................................. 78
    10.11      COUNTERPARTS..................................................................................... 78 
    10.12      SEVERABILITY..................................................................................... 78
    10.13      NO THIRD PARTIES BENEFITED....................................................................... 78
    10.14      GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION................................................................... 79
    10.15      WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL............................................................................. 79
    10.16      ENTIRE AGREEMENT................................................................................. 80
    10.17      JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS.................................................................... 80
</TABLE>

    SCHEDULES

    Schedule 2.01     List of Commitments and Pro Rata Shares
    Schedule 5.05     Litigation Schedule
    Schedule 5.07     ERISA Schedule
    Schedule 5.10     Schedule of Taxes
    Schedule 5.11     Schedule of Material Indebtedness
    Schedule 5.12     Environmental Schedule
    Schedule 5.16     List of Subsidiaries and Equity Investments
    Schedule 6.06     Insurance Coverage on the Closing Date
    Schedule 7.01     Existing Liens
    Schedule 7.04(a)  Investment Policy
    Schedule 7.05     Existing Subsidiary Indebtedness
                       and Contingent Obligations
    Schedule 10.02    Offshore and Domestic Lending Offices,
                       Addresses for Notices

    EXHIBITS

    Exhibit A         Form of Compliance Certificate
    Exhibit B         Form of Notice of Borrowing
    Exhibit C         Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
    Exhibit D         Form of Bank's Competitive Bid Request
    Exhibit E         Form of Competitive Bid
    Exhibit F         Form of Bid Loan Note
    Exhibit F-1       Form of Committed Loan Note
    Exhibit G         Form of Bank's Response to Pro Rata Commitment Increase 
                       Request
    Exhibit H-1       Form of Supplement for Non-Pro Rata Commitment
                      Increase (Existing Bank)
<PAGE>
 
EXHIBITS (continued)

    Exhibit H-2       Form of Supplement for Commitment Increase (New Bank)
    Exhibit I         Form of Opinion of Counsel to the Companies
    Exhibit J         Form of Pricing Certificate
    Exhibit K         Form of Assignment and Acceptance Agreement
<PAGE>
 
                              $150,000,000 364 DAY
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

     This CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of March 16 , 1998 among St. Jude
Medical, Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("St. Jude"), Pacesetter, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, ("Pacesetter," which, together with St. Jude, shall be
called the "Companies"; and each a "Company") the several financial institutions
from time to time party to this Agreement (collectively, the "Banks";
individually, a "Bank"), and Bank of America National Trust and Savings
Association, as Administrative Agent, for the Banks.

     WHEREAS, the Banks have agreed to make available to the Companies jointly
and severally, a revolving credit facility upon the terms and conditions set
forth in that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 17,
1996 among the Companies and the Banks;

     WHEREAS, the Companies and the Banks desire to terminate such credit
agreement and replace it with the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement and the Five Year Credit Agreement (hereinafter defined);

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and
covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

     1.01. CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS. The following terms have the following
meanings:

          "ABSOLUTE RATE" has the meaning specified in subsection
     2.06(c)(ii)(D).


          "ABSOLUTE RATE AUCTION" means a solicitation of Competitive Bids
     setting forth Absolute Rates pursuant to Section 2.06.

          "ABSOLUTE RATE BID LOAN" means a Bid Loan that bears interest at a
     rate determined with reference to the Absolute Rate.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
          "ACQUISITION" means any transaction or series of related transactions
     for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the
     acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or of
     any business or division of a Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of
     50% of the capital stock, partnership interests or equity of any Person or
     otherwise causing any Person, to become a Subsidiary, or (c) a merger or
     consolidation or any other combination with another Person (other than a
     Person that is a Subsidiary) provided that such Company or the Subsidiary
     is the surviving entity.

          "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT" means BofA in its capacity as agent for the
     Banks hereunder, and any successor agent arising under Section 9.09.

          "AFFILIATE" means, as to any Person, any other Person which, directly
     or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common
     control with, such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another
     Person if the controlling Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the
     power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of
     the other Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
     contract, or otherwise.

          "AGENT" means only the Administrative Agent.

          "AGENTS" means the Administrative Agent, the Documentation Agent and
     the Syndication Agent.

          "AGENT-RELATED PERSONS" means the Agents and any successor agent
     arising under Section 9.09, together with their respective Affiliates
     (including, in the case of the Administrative Agent, the Arranger), and the
     officers, directors, employees, agents and attorneys-in-fact of such
     Persons and Affiliates.

          "AGENT'S PAYMENT OFFICE" means the address for payments set forth on
     the signature page hereto in relation to the Administrative Agent, or such
     other address as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify.

          "AGREEMENT" means this Credit Agreement.

          "APPLICABLE MARGIN" and "Facility Fee" means, so long as no Default or
     Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Agreement the
     number of basis points designated below in the applicable column and
     appropriate grid based on (a) St. Jude's Ratio of Total Debt/Total
     Capitalization ("Ratio") or (b) the actual rating of St. Jude's

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     senior unsecured long-term debt by either or both of Moody's or S&P in
     effect on the date of determination (the "Rating"):

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                         <C>                           <C>                        <C>
===========================================================================================================
       Level                     Ratio                    Facility Fee               Applicable Margin
                                                         (basis points)               (basis points)
===========================================================================================================
         I                 Less than 15%                       5.0 bp                     17.5 bp
===========================================================================================================
         II                15%  - Less than 25%                6.0 bp                     19.0 bp
===========================================================================================================
        III                25%  - Less than 35%                8.0 bp                     22.0 bp
===========================================================================================================
        IV                 35% - 45%                           9.0 bp                     28.5 bp
===========================================================================================================
         V                 Greater than 45%                   12.5 bp                     32.5 bp
===========================================================================================================
</TABLE>

                              NOTE PRICING CHANGES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                         <C>                           <C>                        <C>
===========================================================================================================
       LEVEL                     RATING                     FACILITY FEE             APPLICABLE MARGIN
                              S&P/Moody's                  (basis points)               (basis points)
===========================================================================================================
         I                 A/A2 or higher                      5.0 bp                     17.5 bp
===========================================================================================================
         II                A-/A3                               6.0 bp                     19.0 bp
===========================================================================================================
        III                BBB+/Baa1                           8.0 bp                     22 bp
===========================================================================================================
         IV                BBB/Baa2                            9.0 bp                     28.5 bp
===========================================================================================================
         V                 BBB-/Baa3                          11.0 bp                     34.0 bp
===========================================================================================================
         VI                BB+/Ba1 or lower                   15.0 bp                     42.5 bp
===========================================================================================================
</TABLE>

    provided, however, that:

          (a) The Applicable Margin and Facility Fee shall be determined by the
     Ratio until St. Jude obtains a Rating from either S&P or Moody's.
     Thereafter, the Applicable Margin shall be based on the Rating.

          (b) As long as the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee shall be
     determined by the Ratio, the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee shall be
     adjusted, to the extent applicable, 45 days , or, in the case of the last
     fiscal quarter of any fiscal year, 90 days after the end of each fiscal
     quarter, based on the Ratio as of the last day 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     of such fiscal quarter; it being understood that if St. Jude fails to
     deliver the financial statements required by subsection 6.01(a) or 6.01(b),
     as applicable, and the related certificates, if any, required by Section
     6.02, by the 45th day or such later date mutually agreed to by St. Jude and
     the Agent and the Banks (or, if applicable, the 90th day or such later date
     mutually agreed to by St. Jude and the Agent and the Banks) after any
     fiscal quarter, the Applicable Margin shall be 30 basis points and the
     Facility Fee shall be 15 basis points until such financial statements and
     certificates are delivered;

          (c) If the Ratings established by S&P and Moody's shall fall within
     different Levels, the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee shall be based on
     the Rating listed on the numerically lower Level , provided the Ratings are
     not more than one Level apart and, if they are more than one Level apart,
     the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee shall be based on the Rating one
     Level below the higher of the two Levels determined numerically;

          (d) If any Rating shall be established or changed, it shall be
     effective on the date first announced publicly by the agency establishing
     such Rating or making such change;

          (e) If S&P or Moody's shall change the basis on which ratings are
     established, each reference to the Rating announced by S&P or Moody's, as
     the case may be, shall refer to the then equivalent Rating by S&P or
     Moody's, as the case may be;

          (f) If only one of S&P or Moody's shall have in effect a Rating, the
     Applicable Margin and Facility Fee shall be determined by reference to the
     available Rating; and

     provided, further, however, that:

          (g) In the event that the total aggregate amount of Loans outstanding
     under this Agreement exceeds 50% of the total aggregate amount of the
     Banks' Commitments, the Applicable Margin, whether determined by the Ratio
     or Rating, shall be increased at each Level by 5 basis points. This
     increase shall be effective on the date such percentage is exceeded and
     shall remain in effect for so long as there are Loans outstanding in excess
     of such percentage.

     "ARRANGER" means BancAmerica Robertson Stephens.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     "ASSIGNEE" has the meaning specified in subsection 10.08(a).

     "ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE" has the meaning specified in subsection
10.08(a).

     "ATTORNEY COSTS" means and includes all reasonable fees and disbursements
of any law firm or other external counsel, the reasonable allocated cost of
internal legal services and all reasonable disbursements of internal counsel.

     "BANK" has the meaning specified in the introductory clause hereto.

     "BANKRUPTCY CODE" means the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 (11
U.S.C.ss.101, et seq.).

     "BASE RATE" means, for any day, the higher of:

          (a) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced
     from time to time by BofA in San Francisco, California, as its "reference
     rate." The "reference rate" is a rate set by BofA based upon various
     factors including BofA's costs and desired return, general economic
     conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing
     some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate.
     Any change in the reference rate announced by BofA shall take effect at the
     opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such
     change; and

          (b) 0.50% per annum above the latest Federal Funds Rate.

          "BASE RATE COMMITTED LOAN" means a Committed Loan that bears interest
     based on the Base Rate.

          "BID BORROWING" means a Borrowing hereunder consisting of one or more
     Bid Loans made to either of the Companies on the same day by one or more
     Banks.

          "BID LOAN" means a Loan by a Bank to either of the Companies under
     Section 2.05, which may be a LIBOR Bid Loan or an Absolute Rate Bid Loan.

          "BID LOAN LENDER" means, in respect of any Bid Loan, the Bank making
     such Bid Loan to either of the Companies.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          "BID LOAN NOTE" has the meaning specified in Section 2.02.

          "BOFA" means Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, a
     national banking association.

          "BORROWING" means a borrowing hereunder consisting of Loans of the
     same Type made to either of the Companies on the same day by the Banks
     under Article II, and may be a Committed Borrowing or a Bid Borrowing and,
     other than in the case of Base Rate Committed Loans, having the same
     Interest Period.

          "BORROWING DATE" means any date on which a Borrowing occurs under
     Section 2.03 or Section 2.05.

          "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other
     day on which commercial banks in New York City or San Francisco are
     authorized or required by law to close and, if the applicable Business Day
     relates to any Offshore Rate Loan, means such a day on which dealings are
     carried on in the applicable offshore dollar interbank market.

          "CAPITAL ADEQUACY REGULATION" means any guideline, request or
     directive of any central bank or other Governmental Authority, or any other
     law, rule or regulation, whether or not having the force of law, in each
     case, regarding capital adequacy of any bank or of any corporation
     controlling a bank.

          "CLOSING DATE" means the date on which all conditions precedent set
     forth in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived by all Banks (or, in the case
     of subsection 4.01(e), waived by the Person entitled to receive such
     payment).

          "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and regulations
     promulgated thereunder.

          "COMMITMENT", as to each Bank, has the meaning specified in Section
     2.01.

          "COMMITTED BORROWING" means a Borrowing hereunder consisting of
     Committed Loans made on the same day by the Banks ratably according to
     their respective Pro Rata Shares and, in the case of Offshore Rate
     Committed Loans, having the same Interest Periods.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
          "COMMITTED LOAN" means a Loan by a Bank to either of the Companies
     under Section 2.01, and may be an Offshore Rate Committed Loan or a Base
     Rate Committed Loan (each, a "Type" of Committed Loan).

          "COMMITTED LOAN NOTE" has the meaning specified in Section 2.02.

          "COMPETITIVE BID" means an offer by a Bank to make a Bid Loan in
     accordance with subsection 2.06(b).

          "COMPETITIVE BID REQUEST" has the meaning specified in subsection
     2.06(a).

          "COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE" means a certificate substantially in the form
     of Exhibit A.

          "CONDUIT" has the meaning given to that term in (iv) of the definition
     of Eligible Assignee.

          "CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH" means as of the date of determination, the
     consolidated stockholders' equity of St. Jude and its consolidated
     Subsidiaries.

          "CONTINGENT OBLIGATION" means, as applied to any Person, any direct or
     indirect liability of that Person with respect to any Indebtedness, lease,
     dividend, surety instrument or other obligation (the "primary obligations")
     of another Person (the "primary obligor"), including any obligation of that
     Person, whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise
     acquire such primary obligations or any property constituting direct or
     indirect security therefor, or (b) to advance or provide funds (i) for the
     payment or discharge of any such primary obligation, or (ii) to maintain
     working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to
     maintain the net worth or solvency or any balance sheet item, level of
     income or financial condition of the primary obligor, or (c) to purchase
     property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the
     owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor
     to make payment of such primary obligation, or (d) otherwise to assure or
     hold harmless the holder of any such primary obligation against loss in
     respect thereof; in each case (a), (b), (c) or (d), including arrangements
     wherein the rights and remedies of the holder of the primary obligation are
     limited to repossession or sale of certain property of such Person. The
     amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed equal to the stated or
     determinable amount of the primary 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     obligation in respect of which such Contingent Obligation is made or, if
     not stated or if indeterminable, the maximum reasonably anticipated
     liability in respect thereof.

          "CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION" means, as to any Person, any provision of any
     security issued by such Person or of any agreement, undertaking, contract,
     indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument, document or
     agreement to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its
     property is bound and which is material to such Person.

          "CONVERSION/CONTINUATION DATE" means any date on which, under Section
     2.04, either of the Companies (a) converts Committed Loans of one Type to
     another Type, or (b) continues as Committed Loans of the same Type (but
     with a new Interest Period), Committed Loans having Interest Periods
     expiring on such date.

          "DEFAULT" means any event or circumstance which, with the giving of
     notice, the lapse of time, or both, would (if not cured or otherwise
     remedied during such time) constitute an Event of Default.

          "DOCUMENTATION AGENT" means The First National Bank of Chicago.

          "DOLLARS", "dollars" and "$" each mean lawful money of the United
     States.

          "ELIGIBLE ASSIGNEE" means (i) a commercial bank organized or licensed
     under the laws of the United States, or any state thereof, and having a
     combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000; (ii) a commercial
     bank organized under the laws of any other country which is a member of the
     Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (the "OECD"), or a
     political subdivision of any such country, and having a combined capital
     and surplus of at least $100,000,000, provided that such bank is acting
     through a branch or agency located in the United States; (iii) a Person
     that is primarily engaged in the business of commercial banking and that is
     (A) a Subsidiary of a Bank, (B) a Subsidiary of a Person of which a Bank is
     a Subsidiary, or (C) a Person of which a Bank is a Subsidiary; or (iv) a
     special purpose corporation which is engaged in making purchasing or
     otherwise investing in commercial loans in the ordinary course of business
     and which is also subject to the restrictions contained in Section 10.08
     (g)("Conduit").

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          "ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS" means all claims, however asserted, by any
     Governmental Authority or other Person alleging potential liability or
     responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law, or for release or
     injury to the environment.

          "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means all federal, state or local laws, statutes,
     common law duties, rules, regulations, ordinances and codes, together with
     all administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses,
     authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental
     Authorities, in each case relating to environmental, health, safety and
     land use matters.

          "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and
     regulations promulgated thereunder.

          "ERISA EVENT" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension
     Plan; (b) a withdrawal by either of the Companies from a Pension Plan
     subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a
     substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a
     cessation of operations which is treated as such a withdrawal under Section
     4062(e) of ERISA; (c) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the
     treatment of a plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A
     of ERISA or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a
     Pension Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA other than standard termination
     under Section 4041(b) of ERISA; (d) a failure by either of the Companies to
     make required contributions to a Pension Plan or other Plan subject to
     Section 412 of the Code; (e) an event or condition which constitutes
     grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the
     appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (f) the
     imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than PBGC
     premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon either of
     the Companies; or (g) an application for a funding waiver or an extension
     of any amortization period pursuant to Section 412 of the Code with respect
     to any Pension Plan.

          "EVENT OF DEFAULT" means any of the events or circumstances specified
     in Section 8.01.

          "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and
     regulations promulgated thereunder.

          "EXISTING AGREEMENT" means that certain Amended and Restated Agreement
     dated July 17, 1996, as the same may

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
     be amended from time to time, made among the Companies, the several
     financial institutions , party thereto, and Bank of America National Trust
     and Savings Association, as Administrative Agent.

          "FACILITY FEE" has the meaning given to that term in the definition of
     Applicable Margin and Section 2.12(b).

          "FEDERAL FUNDS RATE" means, for any day, the rate set forth in the
     weekly statistical release designated as H.15(519), or any successor
     publication, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (including
     any such successor, "H.15(519)") on the preceding Business Day opposite the
     caption "Federal Funds (Effective)"; or, if any relevant day such rate is
     not so published on any such preceding Business Day, the rate for such day
     will be the arithmetic mean as determined by the Agent of the rates for the
     last transaction in overnight Federal funds arranged prior to 9:00 a.m.
     (New York City time) on that day by each of three leading brokers of
     Federal funds transactions in New York City selected by the Agent.

          "FEE LETTER" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.12(a).

          "FIVE YEAR CREDIT AGREEMENT" means that $350,000,000.00 Credit
     Agreement dated March 16, 1998, as the same may be amended from time to
     time, made among the Companies, the several financial institutions party
     thereto, and the Agents.

          FRB" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and
     any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

          "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth from
     time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting
     Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
     and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards
     Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable stature and
     authority within the U.S. accounting profession), which are applicable to
     the circumstances as of the Closing Date.

          "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" means any nation or government, any state or
     other political subdivision thereof, any central bank (or similar monetary
     or regulatory

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     authority) thereof, any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial,
     regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, and
     any corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through stock or
     capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.

          "INDEBTEDNESS" of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all
     indebtedness for borrowed money; (b) all obligations issued, undertaken or
     assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than
     trade payables entered into in the ordinary course of business on ordinary
     terms); (c) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or
     similar instruments, including obligations so evidenced incurred in
     connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses; (d) all
     indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title
     retention agreement, or incurred as financing, in either case with respect
     to property acquired by the Person (even though the rights and remedies of
     the seller or bank under such agreement in the event of default are limited
     to repossession or sale of such property); and (e) all obligations with
     respect to capital leases.

          "INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES" has the meaning specified in Section 10.05.

          "INDEMNIFIED PERSON" has the meaning specified in Section 10.05.

          "INDEPENDENT AUDITOR" has the meaning specified in subsection 6.01(a).

          "INSOLVENCY PROCEEDING" means (a) any case, action or proceeding
     before any court or other Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy,
     reorganization, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution,
     winding-up or relief of debtors, or (b) any general assignment for the
     benefit of creditors, composition, marshalling of assets for creditors, or
     other, similar arrangement in respect of its creditors generally or any
     substantial portion of its creditors; undertaken under U.S. Federal, state
     or foreign law, including the Bankruptcy Code.

          "INTEREST PAYMENT DATE" means, as to any Loan other than a Base Rate
     Committed Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such
     Loan and, as to any Base Rate Committed Loan, the last Business Day of each
     calendar quarter and each date such Committed Loan is converted 

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     into another Type of Committed Loan, provided, however, that (a) if any
     Interest Period for an Offshore Rate Committed Loan exceeds three months,
     the date that falls three months after the beginning of such Interest
     Period and after each Interest Payment Date thereafter and for each three
     month period occurring after such date is also an Interest Payment Date,
     and (b) as to any Bid Loan, such intervening dates prior to the maturity
     thereof as may be specified by either of the Companies and agreed to by the
     applicable Bid Loan Lender in the applicable Competitive Bid shall also be
     Interest Payment Dates.

          "INTEREST PERIOD" means, (a) as to any Offshore Rate Committed Loan,
     the period commencing on the Business Day such Loan is disbursed, or on the
     Conversion/Continuation Date on which the Loan is converted into or
     continued as an Offshore Rate Committed Loan, and ending on the date one,
     two, three or six months (or, if available, as determined by all of the
     Banks, nine or twelve months) thereafter, as selected by either of the
     Companies in its Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation,
     as the case may be; (b) as to any LIBOR Bid Loan, the period commencing on
     the Business Day such Loan is disbursed and ending on the date one, two,
     three, or six months , thereafter as selected by either of the Companies in
     the applicable Competitive Bid Request and agreed to by the applicable Bid
     Loan Lender(s); and (c) as to any Absolute Rate Bid Loan, a period of not
     less than 14 days and not more than 365/366 (as appropriate) days as
     selected by either of the Companies in the applicable Competitive Bid
     Request and agreed to by the applicable Bid Loan Lender(s);

     provided that:

               (i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is
          not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall be extended to the
          following Business Day unless, in the case of an Offshore Rate Loan,
          the result of such extension would be to carry such Interest Period
          into another calendar month, in which event such Interest Period shall
          end on the preceding Business Day;

               (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to an Offshore Rate Loan that
          begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for
          which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month
          at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
          Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period;
          and

               (iii) no Interest Period for any Loan shall extend beyond the
          Revolving Termination Date.


          "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service, and any Governmental
     Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

          "JOINT VENTURE" means a corporation, partnership, joint venture or
     other similar legal arrangement (whether created by contract or conducted
     through a separate legal entity) now or hereafter formed by either of the
     Companies or any of its Subsidiaries with another Person in order to
     conduct a common venture or enterprise with such Person.

          "LENDING OFFICE" means, as to any Bank, the office or offices of such
     Bank specified as its "Lending Office" or "Domestic Lending Office" or
     "Offshore Lending Office", as the case may be, on Schedule 10.02, or such
     other office or offices as such Bank may from time to time notify the
     Companies and the Agent.

          "LEVEL" means the numbered levels listed on the Ratio grid or the
     Rating grid contained in the definition of Applicable Margin and Facility
     Fee.

          "LIBOR RATE" means, for any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR
     Bid Loan or Offshore Rate Committed Loan the rate of interest per annum
     determined by the Agent to be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward to the
     nearest 1/16th of 1%) of the rates of interest per annum notified to the
     Agent by each Reference Bank as the rate of interest at which dollar
     deposits in the approximate amount of, in the case of LIBOR Bid Loans, the
     LIBOR Bid Loans to be borrowed in such Bid Loan Borrowing, and, in the case
     of Offshore Rate Committed Loans, the Offshore Rate Committed Loan to be
     made, continued or converted by such Reference Bank, and having a maturity
     comparable to such Interest Period, would be offered to major banks in the
     London interbank market at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m.
     (London time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest
     Period.

          "LIBOR AUCTION" means a solicitation of Competitive Bids setting forth
     a LIBOR Bid Margin pursuant to Section 2.06.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
          "LIBOR BID LOAN" means any Bid Loan that bears interest at a rate
     based upon the LIBOR Rate.

          "LIBOR BID MARGIN" has the meaning specified in subsection
     2.06(c)(ii)(C).

          "LIEN" means any security interest, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge,
     hypothecation, assignment, charge or deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien
     (statutory or other) or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature
     whatsoever in respect of any property (including those created by, arising
     under or evidenced by any conditional sale or other title retention
     agreement, the interest of a lessor under a capital lease, any financing
     lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the
     foregoing, or the filing of any financing statement naming the owner of the
     asset to which such lien relates as debtor, under the Uniform Commercial
     Code or any comparable law) and any contingent or other agreement to
     provide any of the foregoing, but not including the interest of a lessor
     under an operating lease.

          "LOAN" means an extension of credit by a Bank to a Company under
     Article II, and may be a Committed Loan or a Bid Loan.

          "LOAN DOCUMENTS" means this Agreement, the Notes, the Fee Letter and
     all other documents delivered to the Agent or any Bank in connection
     herewith.

          "MAJORITY BANKS" means (a) at any time prior to the Revolving
     Termination Date, Banks then holding at least 66_% of the Commitments, and
     (b) otherwise, Banks then holding at least 66_% of the then aggregate
     unpaid principal amount of the Loans.

          "MARGIN STOCK" means "margin stock" as such term is defined in
     Regulation G, T, U or X of the FRB.

          "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means (a) a material adverse change in, or a
     material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, or financial
     condition of either Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a
     material impairment of the ability of either Company to perform under any
     Loan Document and to avoid any Event of Default; or (c) a material adverse
     effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability
     against the Companies of any Loan Document.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
          "MOODY'S" means Moody's Investors Service, a division of Dun &
     Bradstreet Corporation.

          "NOTES" means the Bid Loan Notes.

          "NOTICE OF BORROWING" means a notice in substantially the form of
     Exhibit B.

          "NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION" means a notice in substantially
     the form of Exhibit C.

          "OBLIGATIONS" means all advances, debts, liabilities, obligations,
     covenants and duties arising under any Loan Document, owing by either or
     both of the Companies to any Bank, the Agent, or any Indemnified Person,
     whether joint or several, direct or indirect (including those acquired by
     assignment), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or
     hereafter arising.

          "OFFSHORE RATE COMMITTED LOAN" means any Committed Loan that bears
     interest based on the LIBOR Rate.

          "OFFSHORE RATE LOAN" means any LIBOR Bid Loan or any Offshore Rate
     Committed Loan.

          "ORGANIZATION DOCUMENTS" means, for any corporation, the certificate
     or articles of incorporation, the bylaws, any certificate of determination
     or instrument relating to the rights of preferred shareholders of such
     corporation, any shareholder rights agreement, and all applicable
     resolutions of the board of directors (or any committee thereof) of such
     corporation.

          "OTHER TAXES" means any present or future stamp or documentary taxes
     or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies which
     arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or
     registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other
     Loan Documents.

          "PARTICIPANT" has the meaning specified in subsection 10.08(d).

          "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any
     Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under
     ERISA.

          "PENSION PLAN" means a pension plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of
     ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA which

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
     either Company sponsors, maintains, or to which it makes, is making, or is
     obligated to make contributions, or in the case of a multiple employer plan
     (as described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA) has made contributions at any
     time during the immediately preceding five (5) plan years.

          "PERMITTED LIENS" has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.

          "PERSON" means an individual, partnership, corporation, business
     trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint
     venture or Governmental Authority.

          "PLAN" means an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of
     ERISA) which is subject to ERISA and which either of the Companies sponsors
     or maintains or to which either of the Companies makes, is making, or is
     obligated to make contributions and includes any Pension Plan.

          "PRICING CERTIFICATE" has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

          "PRO RATA SHARE" means, as to any Bank at any time, the percentage
     equivalent (expressed as a decimal, rounded to the ninth decimal place) at
     such time of such Bank's Commitment divided by the combined Commitments of
     all Banks.

          "RATIO AND RATING" have the meanings given to them in the definition
     of Applicable Margin.

          "REFERENCE BANKS" means BofA, The First National Bank of Chicago and
     Credit Suisse First Boston.

          "REPORTABLE EVENT" means, any of the events set forth in Section
     4043(b) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder, other than any such event
     for which the 30-day notice requirement under ERISA has been waived in
     regulations issued by the PBGC.

          "REQUIREMENT OF LAW" means, as to any Person, any law (statutory or
     common), treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or of
     a Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon the
     Person or any of its property or to which the Person or any of its property
     is subject.

          "RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" means the chief executive officer or the
     president of each Company, or any other officer having substantially the
     same authority and responsibility; 

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
     or, with respect to compliance with financial covenants, the chief
     financial officer or the treasurer of each Company, or any other officer
     having substantially the same authority and responsibility.

          "REVOLVING TERMINATION DATE" means the earlier to occur of:

               (a) March 15, 1999 and

               (b) the date on which the Commitments terminate in accordance
          with the provisions of this Agreement.

          "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any
     Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

          "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of McGraw
     Hill Companies, Inc.

          "SUBSIDIARY" of a Person means any corporation, association,
     partnership, joint venture or other business entity of which more than 50%
     of the voting stock or other equity interests (in the case of Persons other
     than corporations), is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the
     Person, or one or more of the Subsidiaries of the Person, or a combination
     thereof. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, references herein
     to a "Subsidiary" refer to a Subsidiary of either of the Companies.

          "SYNDICATION AGENT" means Credit Suisse First Boston.

          TAXES" means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts,
     deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect
     thereto, excluding, in the case of each Bank and the Agent, such taxes
     (including income taxes or franchise taxes) as are imposed on or measured
     by each Bank's net income by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision
     thereof) under the laws of which such Bank or the Agent, as the case may
     be, is organized or maintains a lending office.

          "TOTAL CAPITALIZATION" means the sum of Total Debt and Consolidated
     Net Worth.

          "TOTAL DEBT" means all Indebtedness and all Contingent Obligations of
     St. Jude and its consolidated Subsidiaries.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
          "TYPE" has the meaning specified in the definition of "Committed
     Loan."

          "UNFUNDED PENSION LIABILITY" means the excess of a Plan's benefit
     liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of
     that Plan's assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for
     funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for the
     applicable plan year.

          "UNITED STATES" and "U.S." each means the United States of America.

          "WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY" means any corporation in which (other than
     directors' qualifying shares required by law) 100% of the capital stock of
     each class having ordinary voting power, and 100% of the capital stock of
     every other class, in each case, at the time as of which any determination
     is being made, is owned, beneficially and of record, by either of the
     Companies, or by one or more of the other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, or
     both.

     1.02 OTHER INTERPRETIVE PROVISIONS

     (a) DEFINED TERMS. Unless otherwise specified herein or therein, all terms
defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any
certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto. The meaning of
defined terms shall be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of
the defined terms. Terms (including uncapitalized terms) not otherwise defined
herein and that are defined in the UCC shall have the meanings therein
described.

     (b) THE AGREEMENT. The words "hereof", "herein", "hereunder" and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; and subsection,
section, schedule and exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified.

     (c) CERTAIN COMMON TERMS

          (i) The term "documents" includes any and all instruments, documents,
     agreements, certificates, indentures, notices and other writings, however
     evidenced.

          (ii) The term "including" is not limiting and means "including without
     limitation."

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
     (d) PERFORMANCE; TIME. Whenever any performance obligation hereunder shall
be stated to be due or required to be satisfied on a day other than a Business
Day, such performance shall be made or satisfied on the next succeeding Business
Day. In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later
specified date, the word "from" means "from and including"; the words "to" and
"until" each mean "to but excluding", and the word "through" means "to and
including." If any provision of this Agreement refers to any action taken or to
be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such
provision shall be interpreted to encompass any and all means, direct or
indirect, of taking, or not taking, such action.

     (e) CONTRACTS. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, references to
agreements and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all
subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent
such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of any
Loan Document.

     (f) LAWS. References to any statute or regulation are to be construed as
including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending,
replacing, supplementing or interpreting the statute or regulation.

     (g) CAPTIONS. The captions and headings of this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this
Agreement.

     (h) INDEPENDENCE OF PROVISIONS. The parties acknowledge that this Agreement
and other Loan Documents may use several different limitations, tests or
measurements to regulate the same or similar matters, and that such limitations,
tests and measurements are cumulative and must each be performed, except as
expressly stated to the contrary in this Agreement.

     1.03 ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

     (a) Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, all accounting terms not
expressly defined herein shall be construed, and all financial computations
required under this Agreement shall be made, in accordance with GAAP,
consistently applied.

     (b) References herein to "fiscal year" and "fiscal quarter" refer to such
fiscal periods of the Companies.

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE II
                                   THE CREDIT

     2.01 THE REVOLVING CREDIT. Each Bank severally agrees, on the terms and
conditions set forth herein, to make Loans to either of the Companies, jointly
and severally, from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the
Closing Date to the Revolving Termination Date, in an aggregate amount not to
exceed at any time outstanding the amount set forth on Schedule 2.01 for such
Bank (such amount as the same may be increased under Section 2.09 or reduced
under Section 2.07 or as a result of one or more assignments under Section
10.08, the Bank's "Commitment"); provided, however, that, after giving effect to
any Committed Borrowing, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding
Committed Loans, together with the aggregate principal amount of all Bid Loans
outstanding, shall not at any time exceed the combined Commitments. Within the
limits of each Bank's Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions
hereof, the Companies, jointly and severally, may borrow under this Section
2.01, prepay under Section 2.08 and reborrow under this Section 2.01.

     2.02 LOAN ACCOUNTS; BID LOAN NOTES

     (a) The Committed Loans made by each Bank shall be evidenced by one or more
loan accounts or records maintained by such Bank in the ordinary course of
business. The loan accounts or records maintained by the Agent and each Bank
shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the
Banks to either of the Companies and the interest and payments thereon. The
Committed Loans made by each Bank may also be evidenced by a promissory note
executed by each of the Companies (a "Committed Loan Note") (each such Note to
be substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1.) Each Bank may endorse on the
schedule annexed to its Note, the date, amount and maturity of each Committed
Loan made by it and the amount of each payment of principal made by each of the
Companies with respect thereto. Each such Bank is irrevocably authorized to
endorse its Note; provided, however, any failure so to record or any error in
doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the joint and several
obligation of either of the Companies hereunder to pay any amount owing with
respect to the Loans.

     (b) The Bid Loans made by any Bank shall be evidenced by a promissory note
executed by each of the Companies (a "Bid Loan Note") (each such Note to be
substantially in the form of Exhibit F). Each Bank shall endorse on the schedule
annexed to its Note the date, amount and maturity of each Loan made by it 

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
and the amount of each payment of principal made by each of the Companies with
respect thereto. Each such Bank is irrevocably authorized by each of the
Companies to endorse its Note and each Bank's record shall be conclusive absent
manifest error; provided, however, that the failure of a Bank to make, or an
error in making, a notation thereon with respect to any Loan shall not limit or
otherwise affect the joint and several obligations of the Companies hereunder or
under any such Note to such Bank.

     2.03 PROCEDURE FOR COMMITTED BORROWING

     (a) Each Committed Borrowing shall be made upon a Company's irrevocable
written notice delivered to the Agent in the form of a Notice of Borrowing
(which notice must be received by the Agent prior to 11:00 a.m. (Chicago time):
(i) three Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of
Offshore Rate Loans; and (ii) on the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of
Base Rate Loans, specifying:

          (A) whether the borrowing is for St. Jude or Pacesetter;

          (B) the amount of the Committed Borrowing, which shall be in an
     aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000 in
     excess thereof;

          (C) the requested Borrowing Date, which shall be a Business Day;

          (D) the Type of Loans comprising the Committed Borrowing; and

          (E) the duration of the Interest Period applicable to such Committed
     Loans included in such notice. If the Notice of Borrowing fails to specify
     the duration of the Interest Period for any Committed Borrowing comprised
     of Offshore Rate Loans, such Interest Period shall be one month.

provided, however; it is understood that the first Committed Borrowing shall be
made at least three (3) Business Days after the Closing Date if such Committed
Borrowing is an Offshore Rate Committed Loan unless St. Jude delivers a funding
indemnification letter in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and the
Banks.

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
     (b) The Agent will promptly notify each Bank of its receipt of any Notice
of Borrowing and of the amount of such Bank's Pro Rata Share of that Committed
Borrowing.

     (c) Each Bank will make the amount of its Pro Rata Share of each Committed
Borrowing available to the Agent for the account of the Company specified in
notice of borrowing at the Agent's Payment Office by 1:00 p.m. ( Chicago time)
on the Borrowing Date requested by such Company in funds immediately available
to the Agent. Any such amount which is received by the Agent later than 1:00
p.m. ( Chicago time) shall be deemed to have been received on the immediately
succeeding Business Day. The proceeds of all such Committed Loans will then be
made available to such Company by the Agent by wire transfer in accordance with
written instructions provided to the Agent by such Company of like funds as
received by the Agent.

     (d) After giving effect to any Committed Borrowing, there may not be more
than ten (10) different Interest Periods in effect in respect of all Committed
Loans and Bid Loans together then outstanding.

     2.04 CONVERSION AND CONTINUATION ELECTIONS FOR COMMITTED BORROWINGS. 

     (a) Either Company may, upon irrevocable written notice to the Agent in
accordance with subsection 2.04(b):

          (i) elect, as of any Business Day, in the case of Base Rate Committed
     Loans, or as of the last day of the applicable Interest Period, in the case
     of any other Type of Committed Loans, to convert any such Committed Loans
     (or any part thereof in an amount not less than $5,000,000, or that is in
     an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof) into Committed Loans
     of any other Type; or

          (ii) elect, as of the last day of the applicable Interest Period, to
     continue any Committed Loans having Interest Periods expiring on such day
     (or any part thereof in an amount not less than $5,000,000, or that is in
     an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof);

provided, that if at any time the aggregate amount of Offshore Rate Committed
Loans in respect of any Committed Borrowing is reduced, by payment, prepayment,
or conversion of part thereof to be less than $1,000,000, such Offshore Rate
Committed Loans shall automatically convert into Base Rate Committed Loans, and
on and after such date the right of the such Company to continue

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
such Committed Loans as, and convert such Committed Loans into, Offshore Rate
Committed Loans shall terminate.

     (b) Either of the Companies shall deliver a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation to be received by the Agent not later than 11:00 a.m.
(Chicago time) at least (i) three Business Days in advance of the
Conversion/Continuation Date, if the Committed Loans are to be converted into or
continued as Offshore Rate Committed Loans; and (ii) prior to 11:00 a.m.
(Chicago time) on the Conversion/Continuation Date, if the Loans are to be
converted into Base Rate Committed Loans, specifying:

          (A) whether the Conversion/Continuation is for St. Jude or Pacesetter;

          (B) the proposed Conversion/Continuation Date;

          (C) the aggregate amount of Committed Loans to be converted or
     renewed;

          (D) the Type of Committed Loans resulting from the proposed conversion
     or continuation; and

          (E) other than in the case of conversions into Base Rate Committed
     Loans, the duration of the requested Interest Period.

     (c) If upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to Offshore
Rate Committed Loans, such Company has failed to select a new Interest Period to
be applicable to such Loans in accordance with Section 2.04(b), or if any
Default or Event of Default then exists, such Company shall be deemed to have
elected to convert such Offshore Rate Committed Loans into Base Rate Committed
Loans effective as of the expiration date of such Interest Period.

     (d) The Agent will promptly notify each Bank of its receipt of a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, or, if no timely notice is provided by such Company,
the Agent will promptly notify each Bank of the details of any automatic
conversion. All conversions and continuations shall be made ratably according to
the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Committed Loans with respect
to which the notice was given held by each Bank.

     (e) Unless the Majority Banks otherwise agree, during the existence of a
Default or Event of Default, the Companies 

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
may not elect to have a Committed Loan be made as, converted into or continued
as, an Offshore Rate Committed Loan.

     (f) After giving effect to any conversion or continuation of Committed
Loans, there may not be more than ten (10) different Interest Periods in effect
in respect of all Committed Loans and Bid Loans together then outstanding.

     2.05 BID BORROWINGS. In addition to Committed Borrowings, each Bank
severally agrees that either of the Companies may, as set forth in Section 2.06,
from time to time request the Banks prior to the Revolving Termination Date to
submit offers to make Bid Loans to such Company; provided, however, that the
Banks may, but shall have no obligation to, submit such offers and such Company
may, but shall have no obligation to, accept any such offers; and provided,
further, that at no time shall (a) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of
all Bid Loans made by all Banks, plus the outstanding aggregate principal amount
of all Committed Loans made by all Banks exceed the combined Commitments; or (b)
the number of Interest Periods for Bid Loans then outstanding plus the number of
Interest Periods for Committed Loans then outstanding exceeds ten (10).

     2.06 PROCEDURE FOR BID BORROWINGS

     (a) When St. Jude and/or Pacesetter wishes to request the Banks to submit
offers to make Bid Loans hereunder, it shall transmit to the Agent and each Bank
by telephone call followed promptly by facsimile transmission a notice in
substantially the form of Exhibit D (a "Competitive Bid Request") so as to be
received no later than 10:30 a.m. (Chicago time) (x) four Business Days prior to
the date of a proposed Bid Borrowing in the case of a LIBOR Auction, or (y) one
Business Day prior to the date of a proposed Bid Borrowing in the case of an
Absolute Rate Auction, specifying:

          (i) the date of such Bid Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

          (ii) the aggregate amount of such Bid Borrowing, which shall be a
     minimum amount of $5,000,000 or in multiples of $1,000,000 in excess
     thereof;

          (iii) whether the Competitive Bids requested are to be for LIBOR Bid
     Loans or Absolute Rate Bid Loans or both; and

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
          (iv) the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto, subject
     to the provisions of the definition of "Interest Period" herein.

Subject to subsection 2.06(c), the Companies, together, may not request
Competitive Bids for more than three Interest Periods in a single Competitive
Bid Request and may not request Competitive Bids more than once in any period of
five Business Days.

     (b) Upon receipt of a Competitive Bid Request, the Agent will promptly send
to the Banks by facsimile transmission or telex a copy of such Competitive Bid
Request.

          (c) (i) Each Bank may at its discretion submit a Competitive Bid
     containing an offer or offers to make Bid Loans in response to any
     Competitive Bid Request. Each Competitive Bid must comply with the
     requirements of this subsection 2.06(c) and must be submitted to the
     Company by facsimile transmission at the Company's office for notices set
     forth on the signature pages hereto not later than (1) 8:30 a.m. (Chicago
     time) three Business Days prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, in the
     case of a LIBOR Auction or (2) 8:30 a.m. (Chicago time) on the proposed
     date of Borrowing, in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction.

          (ii) Each Competitive Bid shall be in substantially the form of
     Exhibit E, specifying therein:

               (A) the proposed date of Borrowing;

               (B) the principal amount of each Bid Loan for which such
          Competitive Bid is being made, which principal amount (x) may be equal
          to, greater than or less than the Commitment of the quoting Bank, (y)
          must be $5,000,000 or in multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof,
          and (z) may not exceed the principal amount of Bid Loans for which
          Competitive Bids were requested;

               (C) in case either of the Companies elects a LIBOR Auction, the
          margin above or below LIBOR (the "LIBOR Bid Margin") offered for each
          such Bid Loan, expressed as a percentage (expressed in multiples of
          1/1000th of one basis point) to be added to or subtracted from the
          applicable LIBOR and the Interest Period applicable thereto;

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
               (D) in case either of the Companies elects an Absolute Rate
          Auction, the rate of interest per annum (expressed in multiples of
          1000th of one basis point) (the "Absolute Rate") offered for each such
          Bid Loan; and

               (E) the identity of the quoting Bank.

     A Competitive Bid may contain up to three separate offers by the quoting
     Bank with respect to each Interest Period specified in the related
     Invitation for Competitive Bids. The Companies shall pay to the Agent a bid
     auction fee of $650.00 for each bid auction if the number of Banks party to
     this Agreement is greater than twelve. If the number of Banks party to this
     Agreement is twelve or less, then the Companies shall pay to the Agent a
     bid auction fee of $450 for each bid auction.

          (iii) Any Competitive Bid shall be disregarded if it:

               (A) is not substantially in conformity with Exhibit E or does not
          specify all of the information required by subsection (c)(ii) of this
          Section;

               (B) contains qualifying, conditional or similar language;

               (C) proposes terms other than or in addition to those set forth
          in the applicable Invitation for Competitive Bids; or

               (D) arrives after the time set forth in subsection (c)(i).

          (d) Not later than 9:30 a.m. (Chicago time) three Business Days prior
     to the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of a LIBOR Auction, or 9:30
     a.m. (Chicago time) on the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of an
     Absolute Rate Auction, the appropriate Company shall notify the Agent and
     the appropriate Bank of its acceptance or non-acceptance of the offers so
     made to it pursuant to subsection 2.06(c). Such Company shall be under no
     obligation to accept any offer and may choose to reject all offers. In the
     case of acceptance, such notice shall specify the aggregate principal
     amount of offers for each Interest Period that is accepted. Such Company
     may accept any Competitive Bid in whole or in part; provided that:

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
               (i) the aggregate principal amount of each Bid Borrowing may not
          exceed the applicable amount set forth in the related Competitive Bid
          Request;

               (ii) the principal amount of each Bid Borrowing must be
          $5,000,000 or in any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;

               (iii) acceptance of offers may only be made on the basis of
          ascending LIBOR Bid Margins or Absolute Rates within each Interest
          Period, as the case may be; and

               (iv) neither Company may accept any offer that is described in
          subsection 2.06(c)(iii) or that otherwise fails to comply with the
          requirements of this Agreement.

          (e) If offers are made by two or more Banks with the same LIBOR Bid
     Margins or Absolute Rates, as the case may be, for a greater aggregate
     principal amount than the amount in respect of which such offers are
     accepted for the related Interest Period, the principal amount of Bid Loans
     in respect of which such offers are accepted shall be allocated by the
     Company among such Banks as nearly as possible (in such multiples, not less
     than $1,000,000) in proportion to the aggregate principal amounts of such
     offers. Determination by the Company of the amounts of Bid Loans shall be
     conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

               (f) (i) The Company will promptly notify each Bank having
          submitted a Competitive Bid if its offer has been accepted and, if its
          offer has been accepted, of the amount of the Bid Loan or Bid Loans to
          be made by it on the date of the Bid Borrowing.

               (ii) Each Bank, which has received notice pursuant to subsection
          2.06(f)(i) that its Competitive Bid has been accepted, shall make the
          amounts of such Bid Loans available to the Company by 1:00 p.m.
          (Chicago time) in the case of Absolute Rate Bid Loans, and by 1:00
          p.m. (Chicago time) in the case of LIBOR Bid Loans, on such date of
          Bid Borrowing, in funds immediately available to the Company.

               (iii) Promptly following each Bid Borrowing, the Company shall
          notify the Agent and each Bank of the ranges of bids submitted and the
          highest and 

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
          lowest Bids accepted for each Interest Period requested by either of
          the Companies and the aggregate amount borrowed pursuant to such Bid
          Borrowing.

          (g) If, on or prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, the Commitments
     have not been terminated and if, on such proposed date of Borrowing all
     applicable conditions to funding referenced in Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 4.02
     hereof are satisfied, the Bank or Banks whose offers either of the
     Companies has accepted will fund each Bid Loan so accepted. Nothing in this
     Section 2.06 shall be construed as a right of first offer in favor of the
     Banks or to otherwise limit the ability of either of the Companies to
     request and accept credit facilities from any Person (including any of the
     Banks), provided that no Default or Event of Default would otherwise arise
     or exist as a result of either of the Companies executing, delivering or
     performing under such credit facilities.

     2.07 VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OR REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS. The Companies may,
upon not less than five Business Days' prior notice to the Agent, terminate the
Commitments, or permanently reduce the Commitments by an aggregate minimum
amount of $5,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; provided,
that no such termination or reduction shall be permitted if, after giving effect
thereto and to any prepayments of Committed Loans made on the effective date
thereof, the then-outstanding principal amount of the Loans would exceed the
amount of the combined Commitments then in effect. Once reduced in accordance
with this Section, the Commitments may not be increased except as provided in
Section 2.09. Any reduction of the Commitments shall be applied to each Bank
according to its Pro Rata Share. All accrued facility fees to, but not including
the effective date of any reduction or termination of Commitments, shall be paid
on the effective date of such reduction or termination.

     2.08 OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS. (a) Subject to Section 3.04, the Companies may,
at any time or from time to time, upon not less than (i) three Business Days'
irrevocable notice to the Agent, in the case of Offshore Rate Committed Loans,
or (ii) one Business Day's irrevocable notice to the Agent, in the case of Base
Rate Committed Loans, ratably prepay Committed Loans in whole or in part, in
minimum amounts of $5,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.
Such notice of prepayment shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment
and the Type(s) of Committed Loans to be prepaid. The Agent will promptly notify
each Bank of its receipt of any such notice, and of such Bank's Pro Rata Share
of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Companies, the Companies
shall

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be
due and payable on the date specified therein, together with accrued interest to
each such date on the amount prepaid and any amounts required pursuant to
Section 3.04.

     (b) Bid Loans may not be voluntarily prepaid.

     2.09 OPTIONAL INCREASE IN COMMITMENTS. At any time the Companies may
request the Banks by written notice to the Agent, to increase the aggregate
Commitments. The Agent shall transmit such request to each Bank within one
Business Day. Each Bank will have the option, in its sole discretion, to
subscribe for its proportionate share of such requested increase, according to
its then existing Pro Rata Share. The Banks shall respond in writing to the
Companies' request through the Agent within fifteen (15) Business Days by
submitting a supplement in the form of Exhibit G. Any Bank not responding within
fifteen (15) Business Days shall be deemed to have declined the request. At the
option of the Companies, any part of the increase not so subscribed may be
assumed, within ten (10) Business Days of the Banks' response, by one or more
existing Banks or assumed by other banks meeting the qualifications of an
Eligible Assignee acceptable to the Agent and the Companies, which consent of
the Agent shall not be unreasonably withheld, upon submission of a supplement in
the form of Exhibit H-1, in the case of an existing Bank, or Exhibit H-2, in the
case of a new party to this Agreement, and Schedule 2.01 shall be amended
accordingly. If Commitments are reallocated as a result of a non-pro rata
subscription, the Loans shall be prepaid to the extent outstandings exceed each
Bank's reallocated Commitment (subject, without limitation, to Section 3.04(d)
hereof).

     2.10 REPAYMENT. The Companies shall repay to the Banks in full on the
Revolving Termination Date the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding
on such date. The Companies shall repay each Offshore Rate Committed Loan and
each Bid Loan on the last day of the relevant Interest Period.


     2.11 INTEREST.

     (a) Each Committed Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal
amount thereof from the applicable Borrowing Date at a rate per annum equal to
the LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin or the Base Rate, as the case may be
(and subject to either Company's right to convert to other Types of Loans under
Section 2.04) , plus the Applicable Margin . Each Bid Loan shall bear interest
on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the relevant Borrowing Date at
a rate per annum 

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
equal to the LIBOR Rate plus (or minus) the LIBOR Bid Margin, or at the Absolute
Rate, as the case may be.

     (b) Interest on each Loan shall be paid in arrears on each Interest Payment
Date. Interest shall also be paid on the date of any prepayment of Committed
Loans under Section 2.08 for the portion of the Loans so prepaid and upon
payment (including prepayment) in full thereof and, during the existence of any
Event of Default, interest shall be paid on demand of the Agent at the request
or with the consent of the Majority Banks.

     (c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Section, while any Event of
Default exists or after acceleration, the Companies shall pay interest (after as
well as before entry of judgment thereon to the extent permitted by law) on the
principal amount of all outstanding Obligations, at a rate per annum which is
determined by adding 2% per annum to the Applicable Margin then in effect for
such Loans and, in the case of Obligations not subject to an Applicable Margin,
at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus 2%; provided, however, that, on
and after the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to any Offshore Rate
Loan outstanding on the date of occurrence of such Event of Default or
acceleration, the principal amount of such Loan shall, during the continuation
of such Event of Default or after acceleration, bear interest at a rate per
annum equal to the Base Rate plus 2%.

     (d) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of the
Companies to any Bank hereunder shall be subject to the limitation that payments
of interest shall not be required for any period for which interest is computed
hereunder, to the extent (but only to the extent) that contracting for or
receiving such payment by such Bank would be contrary to the provisions of any
law applicable to such Bank limiting the highest rate of interest that may be
lawfully contracted for, charged or received by such Bank, and in such event the
Companies shall pay such Bank interest at the highest rate permitted by
applicable law.

     2.12 FEES.

     (a) ARRANGEMENT, AGENCY FEES AND OTHER FEES. The Companies shall pay an
arrangement fee to the Arranger for the Arranger's own account, and shall pay
agency (including bid agency) fees and other sums to the Agent for the Agent's
own account, as required by the letter agreement ("Fee Letter") between St. Jude
and the Arranger and Agent dated February 11, 1998.

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
     (b) FACILITY FEES. The Companies shall pay to the Agent for the account of
each Bank a facility fee on the entire portion of such Bank's Commitment
(whether utilized or unutilized), computed on a quarterly basis in arrears on
the last Business Day of each calendar quarter as set forth in the appropriate
"Facility Fee" section of either the Ratio or Rating grid as determined and set
forth in the definition of "Applicable Margin". Such facility fee shall accrue
from the Closing Date to the Revolving Termination Date and shall be due and
payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter
(subject to Section 2.13(e)) commencing on March 31, 1998 through the Revolving
Termination Date, with the final payment to be made on the Revolving Termination
Date; provided that, in connection with any reduction or termination of
Commitments under Section 2.07, the accrued facility fee calculated for the
period ending on such date shall also be paid on the date of such reduction or
termination, with the following quarterly payment being calculated on the basis
of the period from such reduction or termination date to such quarterly payment
date. The facility fees provided in this subsection shall accrue at all times
after the above-mentioned commencement date, including at any time during which
one or more conditions in Article IV are not met.

     2.13 COMPUTATION OF FEES AND INTEREST.

     (a) All computations of interest for Base Rate Committed Loans when the
Base Rate is determined by BofA's "reference rate" shall be made on the basis of
a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All
other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day
year and actual days elapsed (which results in more interest being paid than if
computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest and fees shall accrue during
each period during which interest or such fees are computed from the first day
thereof to the last day thereof.

     (b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Agent shall be conclusive
and binding on the Companies and the Banks in the absence of manifest error. The
Agent will, at the request of the Companies or any Bank, deliver to the
Companies or the Bank, as the case may be, a statement showing the quotations
used by the Agent in determining any interest rate.

     (c) If any Reference Bank's Commitment terminates (other than on
termination of all the Commitments), or for any reason whatsoever the Reference
Bank ceases to be a Bank hereunder, that Reference Bank shall thereupon cease to
be a 

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
Reference Bank, and the LIBOR Rate shall be determined on the basis of the rates
as notified by the remaining Reference Banks.

     (d) Each Reference Bank shall use its best efforts to furnish quotations of
rates to the Agent as contemplated hereby. If any of the Reference Banks fails
to supply such rates to the Agent upon its request, the rate of interest shall
be determined on the basis of the quotations of the remaining Reference Bank(s).

     (e) With respect to Facility Fees payable hereunder on the last Business
Day of the first calendar quarter of each year, the Companies may extend the
payment date for such Facility Fees up to 5 Business Days, provided that at
least 10 Business Days prior to such payment date the Companies give the Agent
written notice of such extension and provided that Facility Fees shall continue
to accrue during such extended period.

     2.14 PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANIES.

     (a) All payments to be made by either of the Companies shall be made
without set-off, recoupment or counterclaim. Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, all payments by either of the Companies shall be made to the
Agent for the account of the Banks at the Agent's Payment Office, and shall be
made in dollars and in immediately available funds, no later than 1:00 p.m.
(Chicago time) on the date specified herein. The Agent will promptly distribute
to each Bank its Pro Rata Share (or other applicable share as expressly provided
herein) of such payment in like funds as received. Any payment received by the
Agent later than 1:00 p.m. (Chicago time) shall be deemed to have been received
on the following Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue
to accrue.

     (b) Subject to the provisions set forth in the definition of "Interest
Period" herein, whenever any payment is due on a day other than a Business Day,
such payment shall be made on the following Business Day, and such extension of
time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest or fees, as
the case may be.

     (c) Unless the Agent receives notice from the Companies prior to the date
on which any payment is due to the Banks that the Companies will not make such
payment in full as and when required, the Agent may assume that the Companies
have made such payment in full to the Agent on such date in immediately
available funds and the Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance
upon such assumption, distribute to 

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
each Bank on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Bank. If
and to the extent the Companies have not made such payment in full to the Agent,
each Bank shall repay to the Agent on demand such amount distributed to such
Bank, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Rate for each day from
the date such amount is distributed to such Bank until the date repaid.


     2.15 PAYMENTS BY THE BANKS TO THE AGENT.

     (a) Unless the Agent receives notice from a Bank on or prior to the Closing
Date or, with respect to any Borrowing after the Closing Date, prior to 1:00
p.m. (Chicago time) on the date of such Borrowing, that such Bank will not make
available as and when required hereunder to the Agent for the account of such
Company the amount of that Bank's Borrowing, the Agent may assume that each Bank
has made such amount available to the Agent in immediately available funds on
the Borrowing Date and the Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance
upon such assumption, make available to such Company on such date a
corresponding amount. If and to the extent any Bank shall not have made its full
amount available to the Agent in immediately available funds and the Agent in
such circumstances has made available to such Company such amount, that Bank
shall on the Business Day following such Borrowing Date make such amount
available to the Agent, together with interest at the Federal Funds Rate for
each day during such period. A notice of the Agent submitted to any Bank with
respect to amounts owing under this subsection (a) shall be conclusive, absent
manifest error. If such amount is so made available, such payment to the Agent
shall constitute such Bank's Loan on the date of Borrowing for all purposes of
this Agreement. If such amount is not made available to the Agent on the
Business Day following the Borrowing Date, the Agent will notify such Company of
such failure to fund and, upon demand by the Agent, such Company shall pay such
amount to the Agent for the Agent's account, together with interest thereon for
each day elapsed since the date of such Borrowing, at a rate per annum equal to
the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing.

     (b) The failure of any Bank to make any Committed Loan on any Borrowing
Date shall not relieve any other Bank of any obligation hereunder to make a
Committed Loan on such Borrowing Date, but no Bank shall be responsible for the
failure of any other Bank to make the Committed Loan to be made by such other
Bank on any Borrowing Date.

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
     2.16 SHARING OF PAYMENTS, ETC. If, other than as expressly provided
elsewhere herein, any Bank shall obtain on account of the Committed Loans made
by it any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any
right of set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its Pro Rata Share, such Bank shall
immediately (a) notify the Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase from the other
Banks such participations in the Committed Loans made by them as shall be
necessary to cause such purchasing Bank to share the excess payment pro rata
with each of them; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess
payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Bank, such purchase shall to
that extent be rescinded and each other Bank shall repay to the purchasing Bank
the purchase price paid therefor, together with an amount equal to such paying
Bank's ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such
paying Bank's required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the
purchasing Bank) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the
purchasing Bank in respect of the total amount so recovered. The Companies agree
that any Bank so purchasing a participation from another Bank may, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including
the right of set-off, but subject to Section 10.09) with respect to such
participation as fully as if such Bank were the direct creditor of the Companies
in the amount of such participation. The Agent will keep records (which shall be
conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error) of participations
purchased under this Section and will in each case notify the Banks following
any such purchases or repayments. Any Bank having outstanding both Committed
Loans and Bid Loans at any time a right of set-off is exercised by such Bank
shall apply the proceeds of such set-off first to such Bank's Committed Loans,
until its Committed Loans are reduced to zero, and thereafter to its Bid Loans.

                                  ARTICLE III
                     TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

     3.01 TAXES. (a) Any and all payments by the Companies to each Bank or the
Agent under this Agreement and any other Loan Document shall be made free and
clear of, and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes. In addition, the
Companies shall pay all Other Taxes.

     (b) The Companies agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Bank and the
Agent for the full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes (including any Taxes or Other
Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section) paid by
the Bank or the Agent and any liability (including penalties, interest,
additions to tax and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto.
Payment under this indemnification shall

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
be made within 30 days after the date the Bank or the Agent makes written demand
therefor.

     (c) If the Companies shall be required by law to deduct or withhold any
Taxes or Other Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder to any Bank
or the Agent, then:

          (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after
     making all required deductions and withholdings (including deductions and
     withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) such
     Bank or the Agent, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum
     it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made;

          (ii) the Companies shall make such deductions and withholdings;

          (iii) the Companies shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to
     the relevant taxing authority or other authority in accordance with
     applicable law; and

          (iv) the Companies shall also pay to each Bank or the Agent for the
     account of such Bank, at the time interest is paid, all additional amounts
     which the respective Bank specifies as necessary to preserve the after-tax
     yield the Bank would have received if such Taxes or Other Taxes had not
     been imposed.

     (d) Within 30 days after the date of any payment by the Companies of Taxes
or Other Taxes, the Companies shall furnish the Agent the original or a
certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof, or other evidence of
payment satisfactory to the Agent.

     (e) If the Companies are required to pay additional amounts to any Bank or
the Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, then such Bank shall use
reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and regulatory restrictions) to change
the jurisdiction of its Lending Office so as to eliminate any such additional
payment by the Companies which may thereafter accrue, if such change in the
reasonable judgment of such Bank is not otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank.
Such Bank also agrees to use its best efforts to promptly advise the Agent and
the Companies if such additional amounts are required to be paid under
subsection (c)

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
     3.02 ILLEGALITY.

     (a) If any Bank determines that the introduction of any Requirement of Law,
or any change in any Requirement of Law, or in the interpretation or
administration of any Requirement of Law, has made it unlawful, or that any
central bank or other Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful,
for any Bank or its applicable Lending Office to make Offshore Rate Loans, then,
on notice thereof by the Bank to the Companies through the Agent, any obligation
of that Bank to make Offshore Rate Loans (including in respect of any LIBOR Bid
Loan as to which the Companies have accepted such Bank's Competitive Bid, but as
to which the Borrowing Date has not arrived) shall be suspended until the Bank
notifies the Agent and the Companies that the circumstances giving rise to such
determination no longer exist.

     (b) If a Bank determines that it is unlawful to maintain any Offshore Rate
Loan, the Companies shall, upon its receipt of notice of such fact and demand
from such Bank (with a copy to the Agent), prepay in full such Offshore Rate
Loans of that Bank then outstanding, together with interest accrued thereon and
amounts required under Section 3.04, either on the last day of the Interest
Period thereof, if the Bank may lawfully continue to maintain such Offshore Rate
Loans to such day, or immediately, if the Bank may not lawfully continue to
maintain such Offshore Rate Loan. If the Companies are required to so prepay any
Offshore Rate Committed Loan, then concurrently with such prepayment, the
Companies shall borrow from the affected Bank, in the amount of such repayment,
a Base Rate Committed Loan.

     (c) If the obligation of any Bank to make or maintain Offshore Rate
Committed Loans has been so terminated or suspended, the Companies may elect, by
giving notice to the Bank through the Agent, that all Loans which would
otherwise be made by the Bank as Offshore Rate Committed Loans shall be instead
Base Rate Committed Loans.

     (d) Before giving any notice to the Agent under this Section, the affected
Bank shall designate a different Lending Office with respect to its Offshore
Rate Loans if such designation will avoid the need for giving such notice or
making such demand and will not, in the reasonable judgment of the Bank, be
illegal or otherwise disadvantageous to the Bank.

     3.03 INCREASED COSTS AND REDUCTION OF RETURN.

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
     (a) If any Bank determines that, due to either (i) the introduction of or
any change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation or (ii) the
compliance by that Bank with any guideline or request from any central bank or
other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law), there
shall be any increase in the cost to such Bank of agreeing to make or making,
funding or maintaining any Offshore Rate Loans, then the Companies shall be
liable for, and shall from time to time, upon demand (with a copy of such demand
to be sent to the Agent), pay to the Agent for the account of such Bank,
additional amounts as are sufficient to compensate such Bank for such increased
costs.

     (b) If any Bank shall have determined that (i) the introduction of any
Capital Adequacy Regulation, (ii) any change in any Capital Adequacy Regulation,
(iii) any change in the interpretation or administration of any Capital Adequacy
Regulation by any central bank or other Governmental Authority charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof, or (iv) compliance by the Bank (or its
Lending Office) or any corporation controlling the Bank with any Capital
Adequacy Regulation, affects or would affect the amount of capital required or
expected to be maintained by the Bank or any corporation controlling the Bank
and (taking into consideration such Bank's or such corporation's policies with
respect to capital adequacy and such Bank's desired return on capital)
determines that the amount of such capital is increased as a consequence of its
Commitment, loans, credits or obligations under this Agreement, then, upon
demand of such Bank to the Companies through the Agent, the Companies shall pay
to the Bank, from time to time as specified by the Bank, additional amounts
sufficient to compensate the Bank for such increase.

     (c) Such Bank also agrees to use its best efforts to promptly advise the
Agent and the Companies if such additional amounts are required to be paid under
this Section 3.03.

     3.04 FUNDING LOSSES. The Companies shall reimburse each Bank and hold each
Bank harmless from any loss or expense which the Bank may sustain or incur as a
consequence of:

     (a) the failure of the Companies to make on a timely basis any payment of
principal of any Offshore Rate Loan;

     (b) the failure of either of the Companies to borrow, continue or convert a
Committed Loan after either of the Companies have given (or is deemed to have
given) a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/ Continuation;

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
     (c) the failure of the Companies to make any prepayment of any Committed
Loan in accordance with any notice delivered under Section 2.08;

     (d) the prepayment (including pursuant to Section 2.08 or 2.09) or other
payment (including after acceleration thereof) of any Offshore Rate Loan or
Absolute Rate Bid Loan on a day that is not the last day of the relevant
Interest Period; or

     (e) the automatic conversion under Section 2.04 of any Offshore Rate
Committed Loan to a Base Rate Committed Loan on a day that is not the last day
of the relevant Interest Period;

including any such loss or expense arising from the liquidation or re-employment
of funds obtained by it to maintain its Offshore Rate Loans or from fees payable
to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. For purposes of
calculating amounts payable by the Companies to the Banks under this Section and
under subsection 3.03(a), each Offshore Rate Committed Loan made by a Bank (and
each related reserve, special deposit or similar requirement) shall be
conclusively deemed to have been funded at the LIBOR Rate used in determining
the Offshore Rate for such Offshore Rate Loan by a matching deposit or other
borrowing in the interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a
comparable period, whether or not such Offshore Rate Loan is in fact so funded.

     3.05 INABILITY TO DETERMINE RATES. If any two Reference Banks determine
that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining
the LIBOR Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed
Offshore Rate Loan, or that the LIBOR Rate applicable pursuant to subsection
2.11(a) for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Offshore
Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Banks of
funding such Loan, the Agent will promptly so notify the Companies and each
Bank. Thereafter, the obligation of the Banks to make or maintain Offshore Rate
Loans hereunder shall be suspended until the Agent upon the instruction of the
Majority Banks revokes such notice in writing. Upon receipt of such notice, the
Companies may revoke any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
Conversion/Continuation then submitted by it. If the Companies do not revoke
such Notice, the Banks shall make, convert or continue the Committed Loans, as
proposed by the Companies, in the amount specified in the applicable notice
submitted by the Companies, but such Committed Loans shall be made, converted or
continued as Base Rate Committed Loans instead of Offshore Rate Committed Loans.

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
     3.06 RESERVES ON OFFSHORE RATE COMMITTED LOANS. The Companies shall pay to
each Bank, as long as such Bank shall be required under regulations of the FRB
to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or
including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as "Eurocurrency
liabilities"), additional costs on the unpaid principal amount of each Offshore
Rate Committed Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such
Committed Loan by the Bank (as determined by the Bank in good faith, payable on
each date on which interest is payable on such Committed Loan, provided the
Companies shall have received at least 15 days' prior written notice (with a
copy to the Agent) of such additional interest from the Bank. If a Bank fails to
give notice 15 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional
interest shall be payable 15 days from receipt of such notice.

     3.07 CERTIFICATES OF BANKS. Any Bank claiming reimbursement or compensation
under this Article III shall deliver to the Companies (with a copy to the Agent)
a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the amount payable to the Bank
hereunder and such certificate shall be rebuttable presumptive evidence of the
amount payable to such Bank.

     3.08 SUBSTITUTION OF BANKS. Upon the receipt by the Companies from any Bank
(an "Affected Bank") of a claim for compensation under Section 3.03, the
Companies may: (i) request the Affected Bank (who may, but shall not be
obligated to, respond) to identify a replacement bank or financial institution
satisfactory to the Companies and meeting the qualifications of an Eligible
Assignee to acquire and assume all or a ratable part of all of such Affected
Bank's Loans and Commitment (a "Replacement Bank"); (ii) request one more of the
other Banks to acquire and assume all or part of such Affected Bank's Loans and
Commitment (but no other Bank shall be required to do so); or (iii) designate a
Replacement Bank. Any such designation of a Replacement Bank under clause (i) or
(iii) shall be subject to the prior written consent of the Agent (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld). Any transfer arising under this Section
3.08 shall comply with the requirements of Section 10.08.

     3.09 SURVIVAL. The agreements and obligations of the Companies in this
Article III shall survive the payment of all other Obligations.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
     4.01 CONDITIONS OF INITIAL LOANS. The obligation of each Bank to make its
initial Committed Loan hereunder, and to receive the initial Competitive Bid
Request, is subject to the condition that the Agent shall have received on or
before the Closing Date all of the following, in form and substance satisfactory
to the Agent and each Bank, and in sufficient copies for each Bank:

     (a) CREDIT AGREEMENT; NOTES. This Agreement (and a Bid Loan Note for each
Bank) properly executed;

     (b) RESOLUTIONS; INCUMBENCY.

          (i) Copies of the resolutions of the board of directors of each of the
     Companies authorizing the transactions contemplated hereby, certified as of
     the Closing Date by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such
     Company; and

          (ii) A certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each of
     the Companies certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of
     each of the Companies authorized to execute, deliver and perform, this
     Agreement, and all other Loan Documents to be delivered by it hereunder;

     (c) ORGANIZATION DOCUMENTS; GOOD STANDING. Each of the following
documents:ION DOCUMENTS; GOOD STANDING

          (i) the articles or certificate of incorporation and the bylaws of
     each of the Companies as in effect on the Closing Date, certified by the
     Secretary or Assistant Secretary of such Company as of the Closing Date;
     and

          (ii) a good standing certificate for each Company from the Secretary
     of State (or similar, applicable Governmental Authority) of its state of
     incorporation and each state where each such Company is qualified to do
     business as a foreign corporation as of a recent date, together with a
     bring-down certificate by facsimile, dated the Closing Date;

     (d) LEGAL OPINIONS. An opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, counsel to the
Companies and addressed to the Agent and the Banks, substantially in the form of
Exhibit I;

     (e) PAYMENT OF FEES. Evidence of payment by the Companies of all accrued
and unpaid fees, costs and expenses to 

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
the extent then due and payable on the Closing Date, including any such costs,
fees and expenses arising under or referenced in Section 2.12 or Article III;

     (f) CERTIFICATE. A certificate signed by a Responsible Officer, dated as of
the Closing Date, stating that:

          (i) the representations and warranties contained in Article V are true
     and correct on and as of such date, as though made on and as of such date;

          (ii) no Default or Event of Default exists or would result from the
     initial Borrowing; and

          (iii) there has occurred since December 31, 1996 , no event or
     circumstance that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in
     a Material Adverse Effect.

     (g) Termination of Existing Agreement. The Existing Agreement shall be
terminated and all amounts outstanding thereunder shall have been paid in full.

     (h) Execution of the Five Year Credit Agreement. The Five Year Credit
Agreement shall have been executed and all conditions to lending shall have been
satisfied.

     (i) Other Documents. Such other approvals, opinions, documents or materials
as the Agent or any Bank may reasonably request.

     4.02 CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS. The obligation of each Bank to make any
Committed Loan to be made by it, or any Bid Loan as to which the Companies have
accepted the relevant Competitive Bid (including its initial Loan), or to
continue or convert any Committed Loan under Section 2.04 is subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on the relevant Borrowing
Date or Conversion/Continuation Date:

     (a) NOTICE OF BORROWING OR CONVERSION/CONTINUATION. As to any Committed
Loan, the Agent shall have received (with, in the case of the initial Loan only,
a copy for each Bank) a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, as applicable;

     (b) CONTINUATION OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and
warranties in Article V, including, without limitation, Section 5.08, shall be
true and correct on and as of such Borrowing Date or Conversion/Continuation
Date 

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
with the same effect as if made on and as of such Borrowing Date or
Conversion/Continuation Date (except to the extent such representations and
warranties expressly refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true
and correct as of such earlier date); and

     (c) NO EXISTING DEFAULT. No Default or Event of Default shall exist or
shall result from such Borrowing or continuation or conversion.

Each Notice of Borrowing and Notice of Conversion/Continuation and Competitive
Bid Request submitted by either of the Companies hereunder shall constitute a
representation and warranty by the Companies hereunder, as of the date of each
such notice or request and as of each Borrowing Date or Conversion/Continuation
Date, as applicable, that the conditions in Section 4.02 are satisfied.

                                    ARTICLE V
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     The Companies represent and warrant to the Agent and each Bank that:

     5.01 CORPORATE EXISTENCE AND POWER. Each of the Companies and each of their
Subsidiaries:

          (a) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
     standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation;

          (b) has the power and authority and all governmental licenses,
     authorizations, consents and approvals to own its assets, carry on its
     business and to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under the
     Loan Documents;

          (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is licensed and in
     good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership,
     lease or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such
     qualification or license; and

          (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law; except, in each
     case referred to in clause (b), (c) or clause (d), to the extent that the
     failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
     Adverse Effect.

     5.02 CORPORATE AUTHORIZATION; NO CONTRAVENTION. The execution, delivery and
performance by the Companies of this 

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
Agreement and each other Loan Document to which each of the Companies is party,
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not and will
not:

          (a) contravene the terms of any of the Companies' Organization
     Documents;

          (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the
     creation of any Lien under, any document evidencing any Contractual
     Obligation to which the Companies is a party or any order, injunction, writ
     or decree of any Governmental Authority to which either of the Companies or
     its property is subject; or

          (c) violate any Requirement of Law.

     5.03 GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION. No approval, consent, exemption,
authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any
Governmental Authority is necessary or required in connection with the
execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, the Companies of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

     5.04 BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which
either of the Companies is a party constitute the legal, valid and binding
obligations of such Company, enforceable against such Company in accordance with
their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

     5.05 LITIGATION. Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.05, there
are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending, or to the best
knowledge of either of the Companies, threatened or contemplated, at law, in
equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, against either of
the Companies, or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties which:

          (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Loan
     Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; or

          (b) if determined adversely to such Company or its Subsidiaries, would
     reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No injunction,
     writ, temporary restraining order or any order of any nature has been
     issued by any court or other Governmental Authority purporting to enjoin or
     restrain

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
     the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any other Loan
     Document, or directing that the transactions provided for herein or therein
     not be consummated as herein or therein provided.

     5.06 NO DEFAULT. No Default or Event of Default exists or would result from
the incurring of any Obligations by the Companies. As of the Closing Date,
neither the Companies nor any Subsidiary is in default under or with respect to
any Contractual Obligation in any respect which, individually or together with
all such defaults, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, or that would, if such default had occurred after the Closing Date,
create an Event of Default under subsection 8.01(e).

     5.07 ERISA COMPLIANCE.

     (a) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.07, each Plan is in
substantial compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions
of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state law. Each Plan which is intended
to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable
determination letter from the IRS and to the best knowledge of the Companies,
nothing has occurred which would if not remedied (the time for such remedy not
having yet expired) cause the loss of such qualification.

     (b) There are no pending, or to the best knowledge of the Companies,
threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority,
with respect to any Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or
other violation of the fiduciary responsibility rule under ERISA with respect to
any Plan which could reasonably result in a Material Adverse Effect.

     (c) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.07, no ERISA Event has
occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Pension Plan.

     (d) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.07, no Pension Plan has
any Unfunded Pension Liability.

     (e) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.07, neither of the
Companies has incurred, nor does it reasonably expect to incur, any liability
under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than premiums
due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA).

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
     (f) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.07, neither of the
Companies has transferred any Unfunded Pension Liability to any Person or to the
knowledge of the Companies otherwise engaged in a transaction subject to Section
4069 of ERISA.

     (g) No trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control
with either of the Companies within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or
(o) of the Code maintains or contributes to any Pension Plan or other Plan
subject to Section 412 of the Code. During the five year period ending on the
Closing Date, neither the Companies nor any Person under common control with the
Companies (as defined in the preceding sentence) has ever contributed to any
multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

     5.08 USE OF PROCEEDS; MARGIN REGULATIONS. The proceeds of the Loans are to
be used solely for the purposes set forth in and permitted by Section 6.11 and
Section 7.07. Neither of the Companies nor any Subsidiary is generally engaged
in the business of purchasing or selling Margin Stock or extending credit for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.

     5.09 TITLE TO PROPERTIES. The Companies and each Subsidiary have good
record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in,
all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of their respective
businesses, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Closing Date, the
property of the Companies and its Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other
than Permitted Liens.

     5.10 TAXES. The Companies and its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal and
other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all
Federal and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental
charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets
otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been provided in
accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against the Companies
or any Subsidiary that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect or that is
not disclosed on Schedule 5.10.

     5.11 FINANCIAL CONDITION.

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
     (a) The audited consolidated financial statements of St. Jude and its
Subsidiaries dated December 31, 1996, and the unaudited consolidated financial
statements dated September 30, 1997, and the related consolidated statements of
income or operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the fiscal year or
the fiscal quarter, respectively, ended on such dates:

          (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied
     throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted
     therein, subject to ordinary, good faith year end audit adjustments in the
     case of such unaudited statements;

          (ii) fairly present the financial condition of St. Jude and its
     Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and results of operations for the
     period covered thereby; and

          (iii) except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.11, show all
     material Indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of St.
     Jude and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including
     liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Contingent Obligations.

     (b) Since December 31, 1996, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

     5.12 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Each of the Companies conducts in the ordinary
course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and
existing Environmental Claims on its business, operations and properties, and as
a result thereof the Companies have reasonably concluded that, except as
specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.12, such Environmental Laws and
Environmental Claims could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     5.13 REGULATED ENTITIES. None of the Companies, any Person controlling the
Companies, or any Subsidiary, is an "Investment Company" within the meaning of
the Investment Companies Act of 1940. Neither of the Companies is not subject to
any other Federal or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur
Indebtedness.

     5.14 NO BURDENSOME RESTRICTIONS. Neither of the Companies nor any
Subsidiary is a party to or bound by any Contractual Obligation, or subject to
any restriction in any Organization Document, or any Requirement of Law, which
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
     5.15 COPYRIGHTS, PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND LICENSES, ETC. Each of the
Companies or their Subsidiaries own or are licensed or otherwise have the right
to use all of the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights,
contractual franchises, authorizations and other rights that are reasonably
necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, without conflict
with the rights of any other Person. To the best knowledge of the Companies, no
slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or
other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by either of
the Companies or any Subsidiary infringes upon any rights held by any other
Person. Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.15, no claim or
litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or threatened, and no
patent, invention, device, application, principle or any statute, law, rule,
regulation, standard or code is pending or, to the knowledge of the Companies,
proposed, which, in either case, could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

     5.16 SUBSIDIARIES. As of the Closing Date, the Companies have no
Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in part (a) of Schedule
5.16 hereto and has no equity investments in any other corporation or entity
other than those specifically disclosed in part (b) of Schedule 5.16.

     5.17 INSURANCE. The properties of each of the Companies and their
Subsidiaries are insured either with financially sound and reputable insurance
companies or under legitimate and responsible self-insurance programs, in such
amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily
carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties
in localities where each Company or their Subsidiaries operate.

     5.18 FULL DISCLOSURE. None of the representations or warranties made by
either of the Companies or any Subsidiary in the Loan Documents as of the date
such representations and warranties are made or deemed made, and none of the
statements contained in any exhibit, report, statement or certificate furnished
by or on behalf of the Companies or any Subsidiary in connection with the Loan
Documents (including the offering and disclosure materials delivered by or on
behalf of the Companies to the Banks prior to the Closing Date), contains any
untrue statement of a material fact or omits any material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements made 

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading
as of the time when made or delivered.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     So long as any Bank shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or
other Obligation shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, unless the Majority Banks
waive compliance in writing:

     6.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Companies shall deliver to the Agent, in
form and detail satisfactory to the Agent and the Majority Banks, with
sufficient copies for each Bank:

     (a) as soon as available, but not later than 90 days after the end of each
fiscal year, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of St. Jude and
its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related consolidated
statements of income or operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for such
year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the
previous fiscal year, and accompanied by the opinion of Ernst & Young or another
nationally-recognized independent public accounting firm ("Independent Auditor")
which report shall state that such consolidated financial statements present
fairly the financial position for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP
applied on a basis consistent with prior years. Such opinion shall not be
qualified or limited because of a restricted or limited examination by the
Independent Auditor of any material portion of the St. Jude or any Subsidiary's
records; and

     (b) as soon as available, but not later than 45 days after the end of each
of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, a copy of the unaudited
consolidated balance sheet of St. Jude and its Subsidiaries as of the end of
such quarter and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows
for the period commencing on the first day and ending on the last day of such
quarter, and certified by a Responsible Officer as fairly presenting, in
accordance with GAAP (subject to ordinary, good faith year-end audit
adjustments), the financial position and the results of operations of St. Jude
and its Subsidiaries.

     6.02 CERTIFICATES; OTHER INFORMATION. The Companies shall furnish to the
Agent, with sufficient copies for each Bank:

     (a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to
in subsections 6.01(a) and (b), (i) 

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
Compliance Certificate and (ii) Pricing Certificate in the form of Exhibit J
("Pricing Certificate") so long as the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee are
computed according to the Ratio , executed by a Responsible Officer which
certifies, among other things, that no Default or Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing (except as described therein);

     (b) promptly, copies of all financial statements and reports that St. Jude
sends to its shareholders, and copies of all financial statements and regular,
periodical or special reports (including Forms 10K, 10Q and 8K) that St. Jude or
any Subsidiary may make to, or file with, the SEC;

     (c) promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial
or corporate affairs of the Companies or any Subsidiary as the Agent, at the
request of any Bank, may from time to time reasonably request;

     (d) immediately, written notice of St. Jude's receipt of a Rating or any
change in such Rating; and

     (e) immediately, written notice of Loans in excess of 50% of the Banks'
aggregate total Commitments pursuant to subsection (g) of the definition of
Applicable Margin and Facility Fee.

     6.03 NOTICES. The Companies shall promptly notify the Agent and each Bank:

     (a) of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, and of the
occurrence or existence of any event or circumstance that is reasonably likely
to become a Default or Event of Default;

     (b) of any matter that has resulted or is reasonably likely to result in a
Material Adverse Effect, including (i) breach or non-performance of, or any
default under, a Contractual Obligation of either of the Companies or their
Subsidiaries; (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or
suspension between either of the Companies or any Subsidiary and any
Governmental Authority; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material
development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting either of the Companies
or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws;

     (c) of any of the following events affecting either of the Companies,
together with a copy of any notice with respect to such event that may be
required to be filed with a 

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
Governmental Authority and any notice delivered by a Governmental Authority to
the Companies with respect to such event:

          (i) an ERISA Event;

          (ii) if any of the representations and warranties in Section 5.07
     ceases to be true and correct;

          (iii) the adoption of any new Pension Plan or other Plan subject to
     Section 412 of the Code;

          (iv) the adoption of any amendment to a Pension Plan or other Plan
     subject to Section 412 of the Code that results in a material increase in
     contributions or Unfunded Pension Liability; or

          (v) the commencement of contributions to any Pension Plan or other
     Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code; and

     (d) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting
practices by either of the Companies or any of their consolidated Subsidiaries.

     Each notice under this Section shall be accompanied by a written statement
by a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to
therein, and stating what action such Company or any affected Subsidiary
proposes to take with respect thereto and at what time. Each notice under
subsection 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all clauses or
provisions of this Agreement or other Loan Document that have been (or
foreseeably will be) breached or violated.

     6.04 PRESERVATION OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC. Each of the Companies shall,
and shall cause each Subsidiary to:

     (a) preserve and maintain in full force and effect its corporate existence
and good standing under the laws of its state or jurisdiction of incorporation;

     (b) preserve and maintain in full force and effect all governmental rights,
privileges, qualifications, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or
desirable in the normal conduct of its business except in connection with
transactions permitted by Section 7.03 and sales of assets permitted by Section
7.02;

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
     (c) use reasonable efforts, in the ordinary course of business, to preserve
its business organization and goodwill; and

     (d) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade
names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     6.05 MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY. Each of the Companies shall maintain, and
shall cause each Subsidiary to maintain, and preserve all its property which is
used or useful in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary
wear and tear excepted, and make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and
replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Companies and each
Subsidiary shall use the standard of care typical in the industry in the
operation and maintenance of its facilities.

     6.06 INSURANCE. Each of the Companies shall maintain, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to maintain, either with financially sound and reputable independent
insurers or under legitimate and responsible self-insurance programs, insurance
with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds
customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business,
of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar
circumstances by such other Persons; provided that at all times during the term
of this Agreement the Companies shall maintain insurance coverage with sound and
reputable independent insurers in substantially the same amounts and covering
substantially the same risks as the coverage existing on the Closing Date which
is specifically disclosed in Schedule 6.06. Upon request of the Agent or any
Bank, the Companies shall furnish the Agent, with sufficient copies for each
Bank, at reasonable intervals (but not more than once per calendar year) a
certificate of each of the Companies' insurance broker setting forth the nature,
extent and such other information as the Agent may reasonably request regarding
the independent insurance maintained by such Company and its Subsidiaries in
accordance with this Section 6.06.

     6.07 PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS. The Companies shall, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to, pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all
their respective obligations and liabilities, including:

     (a) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies
upon it or its properties or assets, unless 

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and
adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Companies
or such Subsidiary;

     (b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its
property, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained
by the Companies or such Subsidiary; and

     (c) all Indebtedness, as and when due and payable.

     6.08 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. Each of the Companies shall comply, and shall
cause each Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with all Requirements
of Law of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or its business
(including the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act), except such as may be
contested in good faith or as to which a bona fide dispute may exist.

     6.09 INSPECTION OF PROPERTY AND BOOKS AND RECORDS. Each of the Companies
shall maintain and shall cause each Subsidiary to maintain proper books of
record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with
GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and
matters involving the assets and business of each of the Companies and their
Subsidiaries. The Companies shall permit, and shall cause each Subsidiary to
permit, representatives and independent contractors of the Agent or any Bank to
visit and inspect any of their respective properties, to examine their
respective corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof
or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and
accounts with their respective directors, officers, and independent public
accountants, all at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as
often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the
Companies; provided, however, when an Event of Default exists the Agent or any
Bank may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Companies at any time
during normal business hours and without advance notice.

     6.10 ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. Each of the Companies shall, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to, conduct its operations and keep and maintain its property in
compliance with all Environmental Laws (except for any noncompliance which has
not resulted or is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse
Effect).

     6.11 USE OF PROCEEDS. Each of the Companies shall use the proceeds of the
Loans for general corporate purposes and 

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
Acquisitions not in contravention of any Requirement of Law or of any provision
of any Loan Document, including, without limitation, the provisions of Section
7.07. Proceeds of each Loan shall be used by the Companies (a) to refinance
existing Indebtedness, (b) to finance the repurchase of St. Jude's common stock
pursuant to a self-tender offer, and (c) to provide for working capital and
general corporate purposes, including Acquisitions.



                                   ARTICLE VII
                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     So long as any Bank shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or
other Obligation shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, unless the Majority Banks
waive compliance in writing:

     7.01 LIMITATION ON LIENS. The Companies shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make, create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any part of its property,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following ("Permitted
Liens"):

     (a) any Lien existing on property of the Companies or any Subsidiary on the
Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 7.01 securing Indebtedness outstanding on
such date;

     (b) any Lien created under any Loan Document;

     (c) Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental charges which
are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty, or to the extent that
non-payment thereof is permitted by Section 6.07, provided that no notice of
lien has been filed or recorded under the Code;

     (d) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', landlords', materialmen's,
repairmen's or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business
which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty or which are being
contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, which proceedings have
the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property subject thereto;

     (e) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) consisting of pledges or
deposits required in the ordinary 

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
course of business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment
insurance and other social security legislation;

     (f) Liens on the property of the Companies or any of their Subsidiaries
securing (i) the non-delinquent performance of bids, trade contracts (other than
for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, (ii) contingent obligations
on surety and appeal bonds, and (iii) other non-delinquent obligations of a like
nature; in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business, provided all
such Liens in the aggregate would not (even if enforced) cause a Material
Adverse Effect;

     (g) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances
incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the aggregate, are not
substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the
value of the property subject thereto or interfere with the ordinary conduct of
the businesses of the Companies and their Subsidiaries;

     (h) Liens on assets of corporations which become Subsidiaries after the
date of this Agreement, provided, however, that such Liens existed at the time
the respective corporations became Subsidiaries and were not created in
anticipation thereof;

     (i) purchase money security interests on any property acquired or held by
the Companies or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, securing
Indebtedness incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing all or any part of
the cost of acquiring such property; provided that (i) any such Lien attaches to
such property concurrently with or within 20 days after the acquisition thereof,
(ii) such Lien attaches solely to the property so acquired in such transaction,
(iii) the principal amount of the debt secured thereby does not exceed 100% of
the cost of such property, and (iv) the principal amount of the Indebtedness
secured by any and all such purchase money security interests shall not at any
time exceed $ 75,000,000;

     (j) Liens securing obligations in respect of capital leases on assets
subject to such leases, provided that such capital leases are otherwise
permitted hereunder;

     (k) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision
relating to banker's liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as
to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository
institution; provided that (i) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by either
of the Companies in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the
FRB, and (ii) such deposit account is not intended by either of the Companies or
any Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution; and

     (l) Other Liens on property, provided that the sum of the aggregate
Indebtedness secured by such Liens (exclusive of Indebtedness secured by Liens
permitted by clauses (a) through (k) hereof) shall not exceed an amount equal to
5% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth as shown on St. Jude's consolidated
balance sheet for its most recent prior fiscal quarter. For purposes of this
subsection (l), "Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" means at any date the sum of
(a) the consolidated stockholders' equity of St. Jude and its consolidated
Subsidiaries less (b) their consolidated Intangible Assets, all determined as of
such date. For purposes of the foregoing definition, "Intangible Assets" means
the amount (to the extent reflected in determining such consolidated
stockholders' equity) of all unamortized debt discount and expense, unamortized
deferred charges, goodwill, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names,
copyrights, organization or development expenses and other intangible items.

     7.02 DISPOSITION OF ASSETS. The Companies shall not, and shall not suffer
or permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, lease,
convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of
transactions) any property (including accounts and notes receivable, with or
without recourse) or enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing,
except:

     (a) dispositions of inventory, or used, worn-out or surplus equipment, all
in the ordinary course of business;

     (b) the sale of equipment to the extent that such equipment is exchanged
for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement equipment, or the
proceeds of such sale are reasonably promptly applied to the purchase price of
such replacement equipment; and

     (c) other dispositions of property during the term of this Agreement whose
net book value in the aggregate shall not exceed 10% of St. Jude's total assets
as shown on its consolidated balance sheet for its most recent prior fiscal
quarter.

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
     7.03 CONSOLIDATIONS AND MERGERS. The Companies shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, merge, consolidate with or into, or convey,
transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a
series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now
owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except:

     (a) any Subsidiary may merge with either of the Companies, provided that
the Companies shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, or with any one
or more Subsidiaries, provided that if any transaction shall be between a
Subsidiary and a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the Wholly-Owned Subsidiary shall be
the continuing or surviving corporation; and

     (b) any Subsidiary may sell all or substantially all of its assets (upon
voluntary liquidation or otherwise), to the Companies or another Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary or as otherwise permitted by Section 7.02.

     7.04 LOANS AND INVESTMENTS. The Companies shall not purchase or acquire, or
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to purchase or acquire, or make any commitment
therefor, any capital stock, equity interest, or any obligations or other
securities of, or any interest in, any Person, or make or commit to make any
Acquisitions, or make or commit to make any advance, loan, extension of credit
or capital contribution to or any other investment in, any Person including any
Affiliate of the Companies, except for:

     (a) investments in cash equivalents and short term marketable securities in
accordance with the written investment policy approved from time to time by the
Companies' board of directors, a current copy of which is set forth as Schedule
7.04(a) attached hereto and provided further, that the Companies shall provide a
copy of such policy to any Bank upon written request given to the Agent from
time to time;

     (b) extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes
receivable arising from the sale or lease of goods or services in the ordinary
course of business;

     (c) extensions of credit by either of the Companies to any of its
Subsidiaries or by any of its Subsidiaries to another of its Subsidiaries;

     (d) investments incurred in order to consummate Acquisitions, provided that
(i) such Acquisitions are undertaken in accordance with all applicable
Requirements of Law; and (ii) 

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
the prior, effective written consent or approval to such Acquisition of the
board of directors or equivalent governing body of the acquiree is obtained;

     (e) minority equity investments or venture capital investments, provided
that such investments are within the healthcare industry;

     (f) loans or other advances made by either Company or any of their
Subsidiaries which in the aggregate do not exceed $5,000,000 outstanding at any
time; or

     (g) guarantees of employee loans made for the sole purpose of purchasing
St. Jude stock; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such guarantees
shall at no time exceed $25,000,000.

The Companies shall not, and shall not suffer or permit any of their
Subsidiaries to, use any portion of the Loan proceeds, directly or indirectly,
to acquire any securities in connection with any transaction subject to Section
13(d) (other than an Investment Transaction) or Section 14 of the Exchange Act,
unless, prior to the time such transaction becomes subject to such Section 13 or
14, the board of directors or other applicable governing body of the Person that
is the issuer of such securities has adopted a resolution approving such
transaction. For purposes of this Section 7.04, an "Investment Transaction"
means a transaction subject to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, provided that
in connection with such transaction the Companies or any Subsidiary (as the case
may be) has reported and at all times continues to report to the SEC that such
transaction is undertaken for investment purposes or strategic business
purposes.

     7.05 LIMITATION ON SUBSIDIARY INDEBTEDNESS. The Companies shall not suffer
or permit any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume, suffer to exist, or otherwise
become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any Indebtedness
or Contingent Obligations, except:

     (a) Indebtedness and Contingent Obligations existing on the Closing Date as
set forth in Schedule 7.05;

     (b) endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business; and

     (c) other Indebtedness or Contingent Obligations, provided that the
aggregate amount of Indebtedness and 

                                       58
<PAGE>
 
Contingent Obligations permitted under subsections (a) and (c) of this Section
7.05 shall not exceed $50,000,000.

The restrictions contained in this Section shall not apply to Pacesetter as a
Subsidiary of St. Jude.

     7.06 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. The Companies shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction with any
Affiliate of such Company, except upon fair and reasonable terms no less
favorable to such Company or such Subsidiary than would obtain in a comparable
arm's-length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of the Companies or such
Subsidiary.

     7.07 Use of Proceeds; Regulation U. Following the application of proceeds
of each Loan, not more than 25% of the value of assets of either of the
Companies, which are subject to any arrangement with the Agent or any Bank
(herein or otherwise) whereby such Company's or any Subsidiary's right or
ability to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of assets is in any way restricted,
shall be Margin Stock. Proceeds of each Loan shall be used by the Companies (a)
to refinance existing Indebtedness, (b) to finance the repurchase of St. Jude's
common stock pursuant to a self-tender offer, and (c) to provide for working
capital and general corporate purposes, including Acquisitions.(6.11)

     7.08 LIMITATION ON SUBSIDIARY DIVIDENDS. The Companies shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to enter into any agreement with any Person (other than
the Banks pursuant to this Agreement) which prohibits or limits the ability of
such Subsidiary to declare or pay any dividends or make other distributions of
assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities on account of any
shares of any class of the capital stock of such Subsidiary.

     7.09 JOINT VENTURES. The Companies shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to enter into any Joint Venture which is not in the
healthcare industry.

     7.10 [Reserved]

     7.11 RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. The Companies shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make any dividend payment or other
distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities on
account of any shares of any class of its capital stock, or purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire for value any shares of its capital stock or any warrants,
rights or options to acquire such shares, 

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<PAGE>
 
now or hereafter outstanding; except that either of the Companies and any
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may:

     (a) declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable
solely in its common stock;

     (b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of its common stock or
warrants or options to acquire any such shares with the proceeds received from
the substantially concurrent issue of new shares of its common stock; and

     (c) declare or pay cash dividends to its stockholders and purchase, redeem
or otherwise acquire shares of its capital stock or warrants, rights or options
to acquire any such shares for cash provided, that, before and immediately after
giving effect to such proposed action, no Default or Event of Default exists or
would exist.

     7.12 CHANGE IN BUSINESS. The Companies shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, engage in any material line of business substantially
different from those lines of business carried on by the Companies and its
Subsidiaries on the date hereof.

     7.13 ACCOUNTING CHANGES. The Companies shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, make any significant change in accounting treatment or
reporting practices, except as required by GAAP, or change the fiscal year of
the Companies or of any Subsidiary.

     7.14 INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO. St. Jude shall not permit as of the last day
of any fiscal quarter or immediately after giving effect to any Acquisition the
ratio of its EBIT to Interest Expense to be less than 3.0 to 1.0. For purposes
of this section, "EBIT" means as at the end of any fiscal quarter of St. Jude
for the period of the four consecutive fiscal quarters ended as at such date,
the sum of (a) the consolidated net income (or net loss) of St. Jude and its
Subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP; (b) all
amounts treated as interest expense for such period to the extent included in
the determination of such consolidated net income (or loss); and (c) all taxes
accrued for such period on or measured by income to the extent included in the
determination of such consolidated net income (or loss); provided, however, that
consolidated net income (or loss) shall be computed for the purposes of this
definition without giving effect to non-cash extraordinary losses or
extraordinary gains for such period.

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<PAGE>
 
     7.15 Total Debt to Total Capitalization. St. Jude shall not permit the
ratio of Total Debt to Total Capitalization to be greater than 55% at any time.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                               EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     8.01 Event of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an "Event of
Default":

     (a) NON-PAYMENT. Either of the Companies fails to pay, (i) when and as
required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan or any amount of
interest on any Bid Loan, or (ii) within three (3) days after the same becomes
due, any interest, fee or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other
Loan Document; or

     (b) REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY. Any representation or warranty by the
either of the Companies or any Subsidiary made or deemed made herein, in any
other Loan Document, or which is contained in any certificate, document or
financial or other statement by the Companies, any Subsidiary, or any
Responsible Officer, furnished at any time under this Agreement, or in or under
any other Loan Document, is incorrect in any material respect on or as of the
date made or deemed made; or

     (c) SPECIFIC DEFAULTS. Either of the Companies fails to perform or observe
any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.01, 6.02, 6.03 or
6.11 or in Article VII and, with respect to any default under Section 6.01 or
6.02, such default shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) days; or

     (d) OTHER DEFAULTS. Either of the Companies fails to perform or observe any
other term or covenant contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document,
and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the
earlier of (i) the date upon which a Responsible Officer knew or reasonably
should have known of such failure or (ii) the date upon which written notice
thereof is given to such Company by the Agent or any Bank; or

     (e) CROSS-DEFAULT. Either of the Companies or any Subsidiary (i) fails to
make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation having
an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts
and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated
credit arrangement) of more than 

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<PAGE>
 
$10,000,000 when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment,
acceleration, demand, or otherwise) and such failure continues after the
applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified in the relevant document on
the date of such failure; or (ii) fails to perform or observe any other
condition or covenant, or any other event shall occur or condition exist, under
any agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness or Contingent
Obligation, and such failure continues after the applicable grace or notice
period, if any, specified in the relevant document on the date of such failure
if the effect of such failure, event or condition is to cause, or to permit the
holder or holders of such Indebtedness or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such
Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or
beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause such Indebtedness to be declared to be
due and payable prior to its stated maturity, or such Contingent Obligation to
become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or

     (f) INSOLVENCY; VOLUNTARY PROCEEDINGS. Either of the Companies or any
Subsidiary (i) ceases or fails to be solvent, or generally fails to pay, or
admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, subject to
applicable grace periods, if any, whether at stated maturity or otherwise; (ii)
voluntarily ceases to conduct its business in the ordinary course; (iii)
commences any Insolvency Proceeding with respect to itself; or (iv) takes any
action to effectuate or authorize any of the foregoing; or

     (g) INVOLUNTARY PROCEEDINGS. (i) Any involuntary Insolvency Proceeding is
commenced or filed against either of the Companies or any Subsidiary, or any
writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process, is issued
or levied against a substantial part of either of the Companies or any
Subsidiary's properties, and any such proceeding or petition shall not be
dismissed, or such writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar
process shall not be released, vacated or fully bonded within 60 days after
commencement, filing or levy; (ii) such Company or any Subsidiary admits the
material allegations of a petition against it in any Insolvency Proceeding, or
an order for relief (or similar order under non-U.S. law) is ordered in any
Insolvency Proceeding; or (iii) such Company or any Subsidiary acquiesces in the
appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator,
mortgagee in possession (or agent therefor), or other similar Person for itself
or a substantial portion of its property or business; or

                                       62
<PAGE>
 
     (h) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan which
has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of either of
the Companies under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan or the PBGC in an
aggregate amount in excess of $25,000,000; or (ii) the commencement or increase
of contributions to, or the adoption of or the amendment of a Pension Plan by
such Company which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in an
increase in Unfunded Pension Liability among all Pension Plans in an aggregate
amount in excess of $50,000,000; or

     (i) MONETARY JUDGMENTS. One or more non-interlocutory judgments,
non-interlocutory orders, decrees or arbitration awards is entered against
either of the Companies or any Subsidiary involving in the aggregate a liability
(to the extent a claim is not covered by independent third-party insurance) as
to any single or related series of transactions, incidents or conditions, of
$50,000,000 or more, and the same shall not have been vacated, discharged,
stayed or appealed within the applicable period for appeal from the date of
entry thereof; or

     (j) NON-MONETARY JUDGEMENTS. Any non-monetary judgment, order or decree is
entered against either of the Companies or any Subsidiary which does or would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and there shall be any
period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such
judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in
effect; or

     (k) CHANGE OF CONTROL. There occurs any Change of Control. For purposes of
this Section 8.01(k), (i) a "Change of Control" shall occur if any Person or
group of Persons is the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the voting power of
either of the Companies for a period of 30 days or more; and (ii) the terms
"group" and "beneficial owner" shall have the meanings given to those terms in
Section 13 of the Exchange Act; or

     (l) LOSS OF LICENSES. (i) The Food and Drug Administration or any other
Governmental Authority revokes or fails to renew any material license, permit,
franchise, patent, trademark, service mark, trade name, copyright, authorization
or other right of St. Jude or any Subsidiary, or St. Jude or any Subsidiary for
any reason loses any material license, permit, franchise, patent, trademark,
service mark, trade name, copyright, authorization or other right, or St. Jude
or any Subsidiary suffers the imposition of any restraining order, escrow,
suspension or impound of funds in connection with any proceeding (judicial or
administrative) with respect to any material license, permit, franchise, patent,
trademark, service 

                                       63
<PAGE>
 
mark, trade name, copyright, authorization or other right; and (ii) any event or
circumstance described in clause (i) has resulted or is reasonably likely to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

     8.02 REMEDIES If any Event of Default occurs, the Agent shall, at the
request of, or may, with the consent of, the Majority Banks,

     (a) declare the obligations of each Bank to make Committed Loans to be
terminated, whereupon such Commitments shall be terminated;

     (b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all
interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable,
without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which
are hereby expressly waived by such Company; and

     (c) exercise on behalf of itself and the Banks all rights and remedies
available to it and the Banks under the Loan Documents or applicable law;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any event specified in subsection
(f) or (g) of Section 8.01 (in the case of clause (i) of subsection (g) upon the
expiration of the 60-day period mentioned therein), the obligation of each Bank
to make Loans shall automatically terminate and the unpaid principal amount of
all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall
automatically become due and payable without further act of the Agent or any
Bank.

     8.03 RIGHTS NOT EXCLUSIVE. The rights provided for in this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other
rights, powers, privileges or remedies provided by law or in equity, or under
any other instrument, document or agreement now existing or hereafter arising.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   THE AGENTS

     9.01 APPOINTMENT AND AUTHORIZATION. Each Bank hereby irrevocably appoints,
designates and authorizes the Agent to take such action on its behalf under the
provisions of this Agreement and each other Loan Document and to exercise such
powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to it by the terms of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document, 

                                       64
<PAGE>
 
together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding
any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any
other Loan Document, the Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities,
except those expressly set forth herein, nor shall the Agent have or be deemed
to have any fiduciary relationship with any Bank, and no implied covenants,
functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read
into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the
Agent. The Syndication Agent and the Documentation Agent shall have no
responsibilities under this Agreement.

     9.02 DELEGATION OF DUTIES. The Agent may execute any of its duties under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents, employees or
attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all
matters pertaining to such duties. The Agent shall not be responsible for the
negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects with
reasonable care.

     9.03 LIABILITY OF AGENT. None of the Agent-Related Persons shall (i) be
liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in
connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions
contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct),
or (ii) be responsible in any manner to any of the Banks for any recital,
statement, representation or warranty made by the either of Companies or any
Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Companies, or any officer thereof, contained in
this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, report,
statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the
Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or
the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for any failure of the either of the
Company, or any other party to any Loan Document to perform its obligations
hereunder or thereunder. No Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation
to any Bank to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of
any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of the
Companies or any of the Companies' Subsidiaries or Affiliates.


     9.04 RELIANCE BY AGENT.

     (a) The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in
relying, upon any writing, resolution, 

                                       65
<PAGE>
 
notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex or
telephone message, statement or other document or conversation believed by it to
be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper
Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including
counsel to the Companies), independent accountants and other experts selected by
the Agent. The Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any
action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first
receive such advice or concurrence of the Majority Banks as it deems appropriate
and, if it so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the
Banks against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by
reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Agent shall in all
cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of
the Majority Banks and such request and any action taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Banks.

     (b) For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in
Section 4.01, each Bank that has executed this Agreement shall be deemed to have
consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or
other matter either sent by the Agent to such Bank for consent, approval,
acceptance or satisfaction, or required thereunder to be consented to or
approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Bank.

     9.05 NOTICE OF DEFAULT. The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or
notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with respect
to defaults in the payment of principal, interest and fees required to be paid
to the Agent for the account of the Banks, unless the Agent shall have received
written notice from a Bank or either of the Companies referring to this
Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such
notice is a "notice of default". The Agent will promptly notify the Banks of its
receipt of any such notice. The Agent shall take such action with respect to
such Default or Event of Default as may be requested by the Majority Banks in
accordance with Article VIII; provided, however, that unless and until the Agent
has received any such request, the Agent may (but shall not be obligated to)
take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such
Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable or in the best interest
of the Banks.

     9.06 CREDIT DECISION. Each Bank acknowledges that none of the Agent-Related
Persons has made any representation or 

                                       66
<PAGE>
 
warranty to it, and that no act by the Agent hereinafter taken, including any
review of the affairs of the Companies and their Subsidiaries, shall be deemed
to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any
Bank. Each Bank represents to the Agent that it has, independently and without
reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and
investigation into the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and
other condition and creditworthiness of the Companies and their Subsidiaries,
and all applicable bank regulatory laws relating to the transactions
contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and
to extend credit to either of the Companies hereunder. Each Bank also represents
that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person
and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the
time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in
taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the
business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and
creditworthiness of either of the Companies. Except for notices, reports and
other documents expressly herein required to be furnished to the Banks by the
Agent, the Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Bank
with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects,
operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of the
Companies which may come into the possession of any of the Agent-Related
Persons.

     9.07 INDEMNIFICATION. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby
are consummated, the Banks shall indemnify upon demand the Agent-Related Persons
(to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of the Companies and without
limiting the joint and several obligation of the Companies to do so), pro rata,
from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities; provided, however, that no
Bank shall be liable for the payment to the Agent-Related Persons of any portion
of such Indemnified Liabilities resulting solely from such Person's gross
negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Bank
shall reimburse the Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or
out-of-pocket expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred by the Agent in
connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration,
modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or
responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document
contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that the Agent is not
reimbursed for such expenses by or 

                                       67
<PAGE>
 
on behalf of the Companies. The undertaking in this Section shall survive the
payment of all Obligations hereunder and the resignation or replacement of the
Agent.

     9.08 AGENT IN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY. BofA and its Affiliates may make loans
to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire
equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust,
financial advisory, underwriting or other business with either of the Companies
and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates as though BofA were not the Agent hereunder
and without notice to or consent of the Banks. The Banks acknowledge that,
pursuant to such activities, BofA or its Affiliates may receive information
regarding either of the Companies or its Affiliates (including information that
may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Companies or such
Subsidiary) and acknowledge that the Agent shall be under no obligation to
provide such information to them. With respect to its Loans, BofA shall have the
same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Bank and may exercise
the same as though it were not the Agent, and the terms "Bank" and "Banks"
include BofA in its individual capacity.

     9.09 SUCCESSOR AGENT. The Agent may, and at the request of the Companies
(so long as no Default or Event of Default exists at the time of such request)
or the Majority Banks shall, resign as Agent upon 30 days' notice to the Banks.
If the Agent resigns under this Agreement, the Companies shall appoint from
among the Banks a successor agent for the Banks (unless an Event of Default then
exists in which case the Majority Banks shall appoint the successor agent). If
no successor agent is appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation
of the Agent, the Agent may appoint, after consulting with the Banks and the
Companies, a successor agent from among the Banks. Upon the acceptance of its
appointment as successor agent hereunder, such successor agent shall succeed to
all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Agent and the term "Agent"
shall mean such successor agent and the retiring Agent's appointment, powers and
duties as Agent shall be terminated. After any retiring Agent's resignation
hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Article IX and Sections 10.04 and
10.05 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken
by it while it was Agent under this Agreement. If no successor agent has
accepted appointment as Agent by the date which is 30 days following a retiring
Agent's notice of resignation, the retiring Agent's resignation shall
nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Banks shall perform all of the
duties of the Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Companies or the
Majority Banks appoint a successor agent as provided for above.

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<PAGE>
 
     9.10 WITHHOLDING TAX

     (a) If any Bank is a "foreign corporation, partnership or trust" within the
meaning of the Code and such Bank claims exemption from, or a reduction of, U.S.
withholding tax under Sections 1441 or 1442 of the Code, such Bank agrees with
and in favor of the Agent, to deliver to the Agent:

          (i) if such Bank claims an exemption from, or a reduction of,
     withholding tax under a United States tax treaty, properly completed IRS
     Forms 1001 and W-8 before the payment of any interest in the first calendar
     year and before the payment of any interest in each third succeeding
     calendar year during which interest may be paid under this Agreement;

          (ii) if such Bank claims that interest paid under this Agreement is
     exempt from United States withholding tax because it is effectively
     connected with a United States trade or business of such Bank, two properly
     completed and executed copies of IRS Form 4224 before the payment of any
     interest is due in the first taxable year of such Bank and in each
     succeeding taxable year of such Bank during which interest may be paid
     under this Agreement, and IRS Form W-9; and

          (iii) such other form or forms as may be required under the Code or
     other laws of the United States as a condition to exemption from, or
     reduction of, United States withholding tax.

     Such Bank agrees to promptly notify the Agent of any change in
circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or
reduction.

     (b) If any Bank claims exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax
under a United States tax treaty by providing IRS Form 1001 and such Bank sells,
assigns, grants a participation in, or otherwise transfers all or part of the
Obligations of the Companies to such Bank, such Bank agrees to notify the Agent
of the percentage amount in which it is no longer the beneficial owner of
Obligations of the Companies to such Bank. To the extent of such percentage
amount, the Agent will treat such Bank's IRS Form 1001 as no longer valid.

     (c) If any Bank claiming exemption from United States withholding tax by
filing IRS Form 4224 with the Agent sells, assigns, grants a participation in,
or otherwise transfers all or part of the Obligations of the Companies to such
Bank, such 

                                       69
<PAGE>
 
Bank agrees to undertake sole responsibility for complying with the withholding
tax requirements imposed by Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code.

     (d) If any Bank is entitled to a reduction in the applicable withholding
tax, the Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such Bank an amount
equivalent to the applicable withholding tax after taking into account such
reduction. If the forms or other documentation required by subsection (a) of
this Section are not delivered to the Agent, then the Agent may withhold from
any interest payment to such Bank not providing such forms or other
documentation an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax.

     (e) If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority of the United States or
other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Agent did not properly withhold tax
from amounts paid to or for the account of any Bank (because the appropriate
form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Bank failed
to notify the Agent of a change in circumstances which rendered the exemption
from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any other reason)
such Bank shall indemnify the Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly or
indirectly, by the Agent as tax or otherwise, including penalties and interest,
and including any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts payable to
the Agent under this Section, together with all costs and expenses (including
Attorney Costs). The obligation of the Banks under this subsection shall survive
the payment of all Obligations and the resignation or replacement of the Agent.

                                    ARTICLE X
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     10.01 AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. No amendment or waiver of any provision of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent with respect to any
departure by the Companies therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall
be in writing and signed by the Majority Banks (or by the Agent at the written
request of the Majority Banks) and the Companies and acknowledged by the Agent,
and then any such waiver and consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that
no such waiver, amendment, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all
the Banks and the Companies and acknowledged by the Agent, do any of the
following:

     (a) increase or extend the Commitment of any Bank (or reinstate any
Commitment terminated pursuant to subsection 

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<PAGE>
 
8.02(a)), unless such Bank has consented thereto in writing pursuant to Section
2.09 or otherwise;

     (b) postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan
Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to
the Banks (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

     (c) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on
any Loan, or (subject to clause (ii) below) any fees or other amounts payable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

     (d) change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid
principal amount of the Loans which is required for the Banks or any of them to
take any action hereunder; or

     (e) amend this Section, or Section 2.14, or any provision herein providing
for consent or other action by all Banks;

and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
writing and signed by the Agent in addition to the Majority Banks or all the
Banks, as the case may be, affect the rights or duties of the Agent under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, and (ii) the Fee Letter may be amended, or
rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed by the parties
thereto.

     10.02 NOTICES.

     (a) All notices, requests and other communications shall be in writing
(including, unless the context expressly otherwise provides, by facsimile
transmission, provided that any matter transmitted by the Companies by facsimile
(i) shall be immediately confirmed by a telephone call to the recipient at the
number specified on Schedule 10.02, and (ii) shall be followed promptly by
delivery of a hard copy original thereof) and mailed, faxed or delivered, to the
address or facsimile number specified for notices on Schedule 10.02; or, as
directed to the Companies or the Agent, to such other address as shall be
designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties, and as
directed to any other party, at such other address as shall be designated by
such party in a written notice to the Companies and the Agent.

     (b) All such notices, requests and communications shall, when transmitted
by overnight delivery, or faxed, be effective when delivered for overnight
(next-day) delivery, or 

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<PAGE>
 
transmitted in legible form by facsimile machine, respectively, or if mailed,
upon the third Business Day after the date deposited into the U.S. mail, or if
delivered, upon delivery; except that notices pursuant to Article II or IX shall
not be effective until actually received by the Agent.

     (c) Any agreement of the Agent and the Banks herein to receive certain
notices by telephone or facsimile is solely for the convenience and at the
request of the Companies. The Agent and the Banks shall be entitled to rely on
the authority of any Person purporting to be a Person authorized by the
Companies to give such notice and the Agent and the Banks shall not have any
liability to the Companies or other Person on account of any action taken or not
taken by the Agent or the Banks in reliance upon such telephonic or facsimile
notice. The joint and several obligation of the Companies to repay the Loans
shall not be affected in any way or to any extent by any failure by the Agent
and the Banks to receive written confirmation of any telephonic or facsimile
notice or the receipt by the Agent and the Banks of a confirmation which is at
variance with the terms understood by the Agent and the Banks to be contained in
the telephonic or facsimile notice.

     10.03 NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No failure to exercise and no delay
in exercising, on the part of the Agent or any Bank, any right, remedy, power or
privilege hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy,
power or privilege.

     10.04 COSTS AND EXPENSES. The Companies, jointly and severally, shall:

     (a) pay or reimburse BofA (including in its capacity as Agent) within five
Business Days after demand for all costs and expenses incurred by BofA
(including in its capacity as Agent) in connection with any amendment,
supplement, waiver or modification to (in each case, whether or not
consummated), this Agreement, any Loan Document and any other documents prepared
in connection herewith or therewith, including reasonable Attorney Costs
incurred by BofA (including in its capacity as Agent) with respect thereto; and

     (b) pay or reimburse the Agent, the Arranger and each Bank within five
Business Days after demand for all costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs)
incurred by them in connection with the enforcement, attempted enforcement, or
preservation of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or 

                                       72
<PAGE>
 
any other Loan Document during the existence of an Event of Default or after
acceleration of the Loans (including in connection with any "workout" or
restructuring regarding the Loans, and including in any Insolvency Proceeding or
appellate proceeding).

     10.05 INDEMNITY. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are
consummated, the Companies, jointly and severally, shall indemnify and hold the
Agent-Related Persons, and each Bank and each of its respective officers,
directors, employees, counsel, agents and attorneys-in-fact (each, an
"Indemnified Person") harmless from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
charges, expenses and disbursements (including Attorney Costs) of any kind or
nature whatsoever which may at any time (including at any time following
repayment of the Loans and the termination, resignation or replacement of the
Agent or replacement of any Bank) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against
any such Person in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any
document contemplated by or referred to herein, or the transactions contemplated
hereby, or any action taken or omitted by any such Person under or in connection
with any of the foregoing, including with respect to any investigation,
litigation or proceeding (including any Insolvency Proceeding or appellate
proceeding) related to or arising out of this Agreement or the Loans or the use
of the proceeds thereof, whether or not any Indemnified Person is a party
thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the "Indemnified Liabilities");
provided, that the Companies shall have no obligation hereunder to any
Indemnified Person with respect to Indemnified Liabilities resulting solely from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person. The
agreements in this Section shall survive payment of all other Obligations.

     10.06 PAYMENTS SET ASIDE. To the extent that either of the Companies makes
a payment to the Agent or the Banks, or the Agent or the Banks exercise their
right of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of such set-off or any part
thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential,
set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the
Agent or such Bank in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any
other party, in connection with any Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise, then (a)
to the extent of such recovery the obligation or part thereof originally
intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect
as if such payment had not been made or such set-off had not occurred, and (b)
each Bank severally agrees to pay to the Agent upon 

                                       73
<PAGE>
 
demand its pro rata share or other applicable share of any amount so recovered
from or repaid by the Agent.

     10.07 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns, except that neither of the Companies may assign or
transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior
written consent of the Agent and each Bank.

     10.08 ASSIGNMENTS, PARTICIPATIONS, ETC.

     (a) Any Bank may, with the written consent of the Companies (at all times
other than during the existence of an Event of Default) and the Agent, which
consent of the Agent shall not be unreasonably withheld, at any time assign and
delegate to one or more Eligible Assignees (provided that no written consent of
the Companies or the Agent shall be required in connection with any assignment
and delegation by a Bank to an Eligible Assignee that is an Affiliate of such
Bank) (each an "Assignee") all, or any ratable part of all, of the Loans, the
Commitment and the other rights and obligations of such Bank hereunder, in a
minimum amount of $10,000,000(excluding from such requirement any assignment
made between Banks party to this Agreement) ; provided (that such minimum amount
shall not apply to any assignment and obligation by a Bank to an Eligible
Assignee which is already a Bank) however, that the Companies and the Agent may
continue to deal solely and directly with such Bank in connection with the
interest so assigned to an Assignee until (i) written notice of such assignment,
together with payment instructions, addresses and related information with
respect to the Assignee, shall have been given to the Companies and the Agent by
such Bank and the Assignee; (ii) such Bank and its Assignee shall have delivered
to the Companies and the Agent an Assignment and Acceptance in the form of
Exhibit K ("Assignment and Acceptance") and (iii) the assignor Bank or Assignee
has paid to the Agent a processing fee in the amount of $2,500 .

     (b) From and after the date that the Agent notifies the assignor Bank that
it has received an executed Assignment and Acceptance and payment of the
above-referenced processing fee, (i) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party
hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been
assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, shall have the rights
and obligations of a Bank under the Loan Documents, and (ii) the assignor Bank
shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder and under the other
Loan Documents have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment 

                                       74
<PAGE>
 
and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under
the Loan Documents.

     (c) Within five Business Days after receipt of notice by the Agent that the
Agent has received an executed Assignment and Acceptance and payment of the
processing fee, (and provided that each Company consents to such assignment in
accordance with subsection 10.08(a)), the Companies shall execute and deliver to
the Agent a Bid Loan Note for the Assignee (if the Assignee was not previously a
Bank under this Agreement) and, if the assignor Bank is not retaining any
interest in this Agreement such assignor Bank shall promptly cancel and return
its Bid Loan Note to the Agent for return to the Companies. Immediately upon
each Assignee's making its processing fee payment under the Assignment and
Acceptance, this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to the extent, but only
to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of the Assignee and the
resulting adjustment of the Commitments arising therefrom. The Commitment
allocated to each Assignee shall reduce such Commitments of the assigning Bank
pro tanto.

     (d) Any Bank may at any time sell to one or more commercial banks or other
Persons not Affiliates of the Companies (a "Participant") participating
interests in any Loans, the Commitment of that Bank and the other interests of
that Bank (the "originating Bank") hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;
provided, however, that (i) the originating Bank's obligations under this
Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) the originating Bank shall remain solely
responsible for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the Companies and the
Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with the originating Bank in
connection with the originating Bank's rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (iv) no Bank shall transfer or grant
any participating interest under which the Participant has rights to approve any
amendment to, or any consent or waiver with respect to, this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, except to the extent such amendment, consent or waiver
would require unanimous consent of the Banks as described in the first proviso
to Section 10.01. In the case of any such participation, the Participant shall
not have any rights under this Agreement, or any of the other Loan Documents,
and all amounts payable by the Companies hereunder shall be determined as if
such Bank had not sold such participation; except that, if amounts outstanding
under this Agreement are due and unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall
have become due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each
Participant shall be deemed to have the right of set-off in respect of its
participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to 

                                       75
<PAGE>
 
the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing
directly to it as a Bank under this Agreement.

     (e) Each Bank agrees to take normal and reasonable precautions and exercise
due care to maintain the confidentiality of all information identified as
"confidential" or "secret" by the Companies and provided to it by the Companies
or any Subsidiary, or by the Agent on such Companies' or Subsidiary's behalf,
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and neither it nor any of its
Affiliates shall use any such information other than in connection with or in
enforcement of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; except to the extent
such information (i) was or becomes generally available to the public other than
as a result of disclosure by the Bank, or (ii) was or becomes available on a
non-confidential basis from a source other than the Companies, provided that
such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Companies known
to the Bank; provided, however, that any Bank may disclose such information (A)
at the request or pursuant to any requirement of any Governmental Authority to
which the Bank is subject or in connection with an examination of such Bank by
any such authority; (B) pursuant to subpoena or other court process; (C) when
required to do so in accordance with the provisions of any applicable
Requirement of Law; (D) to the extent reasonably required in connection with any
litigation or proceeding to which the Agent, any Bank or their respective
Affiliates may be party; (E) to the extent reasonably required in connection
with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document; (F)
to such Bank's independent auditors and other professional advisors; (G) to any
Affiliate of such Bank, or to any Participant or Assignee, actual or potential,
provided that such Affiliate, Participant or Assignee agrees to keep such
information confidential to the same extent required of the Banks hereunder, and
(H) as to any Bank, as expressly permitted under the terms of any other document
or agreement regarding confidentiality to which the Companies is party or is
deemed party with such Bank. In the event disclosure is required in connection
with (B), (C) or (D), the Bank required to disclose shall use its best efforts
to promptly notify the Companies OF such event prior to the date of required
disclosure is practicable under the circumstances.

     (f) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, any Bank may at
any time create a security interest in, or pledge, all or any portion of its
rights under and interest in this Agreement and any Note held by it in favor of
any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the FRB or U.S.
Treasury Regulation 31 CFR ss.203.14, and such Federal

                                       76
<PAGE>
 
Reserve Bank may enforce such pledge or security interest in any manner
permitted under applicable law.

     (g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section
10.08 but subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this subsection (g),
any Bank may from time to time, elect to designate a Conduit to provide all or
any part of Loans required to be made by such Bank to the Borrower pursuant to
this Agreement or to acquire a participation interest in any Loans extended by
such Bank hereunder (a "Conduit Designation"), provided the designation of a
Conduit by any Bank for purposes of this Section 10.08(g) shall be subject to
the approval of the Companies. No additional Note shall be required with regard
to a Conduit Designation; provided, however, to the extent any Conduit shall
advance funds under a Conduit Designation, the designating Bank shall be deemed
to hold the Note in its possession as an agent for such Conduit to the extent of
the Loan funded by such Conduit. Notwithstanding any such Conduit Designation,
(x) the designating Bank shall remain solely responsible to the other parties
hereto for its obligations under this Agreement and (y) the Companies and the
Agent may continue to deal solely and directly with the designating Bank as
administrative agent for such designating Bank's Conduit, in connection with all
of such Conduit's rights and obligations under this Agreement, unless and until
the Companies and the Agent are notified that the designating Bank has been
replaced as administrative agent for its Conduit; any payments for the benefit
of any designating Bank and its Conduit shall be paid to such designating Bank
for itself as administrative agent for its Conduit, as applicable; provided
neither the Companies nor the Agent shall be responsible for any designating
Bank's application of any such payments. In addition, any Conduit may (i) with
notice to, but without prior written consent of the Companies and the Agent, and
without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or portions of its
interest in any Loans to the Bank that designated such Conduit or to any
financial institutions consented to by the Companies and the Agent providing
liquidity and/or credit facilities to or for the account of such Conduit to
support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose on a confidential
basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency,
commercial paper dealer or provider of any guarantee, surety, credit or
liquidity enhancement to such Conduit.

     (h) Each party to this Agreement hereby agrees that, at any time a Conduit
Designation is in effect, it shall not institute against, or join any other
person in instituting against, any Conduit any bankruptcy, reorganization,
arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding or other 

                                       77
<PAGE>
 
proceedings under any federal or state bankruptcy or similar law, for one year
and a day after the latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Conduit
is paid. This Section 10.08(h) shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

     10.09 SET-OFF. In addition to any rights and remedies of the Banks provided
by law, if an Event of Default exists or the Loans have been accelerated, each
Bank is authorized at any time and from time to time, without prior notice to
the Companies, any such notice being waived by the Companies to the fullest
extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or
special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held by, and other
indebtedness at any time owing by, such Bank to or for the credit or the account
of either of the Companies against any and all Obligations owing to such Bank,
now or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether or not the Agent or such Bank
shall have made demand under this Agreement or any Loan Document and although
such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured. Each Bank agrees promptly to
notify the Companies and the Agent after any such set-off and application made
by such Bank; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not
affect the validity of such set-off and application.


     10.10 NOTIFICATION OF ADDRESSES, LENDING OFFICES, ETC. Each Bank shall
notify the Agent in writing of any changes in the address to which notices to
the Bank should be directed, of addresses of any Lending Office, of payment
instructions in respect of all payments to be made to it hereunder and of such
other administrative information as the Agent shall reasonably request.

     10.11 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an
original, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to
constitute but one and the same instrument.

     10.12. SEVERABILITY. The illegality or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder shall not in
any way affect or impair the legality or enforceability of the remaining
provisions of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder.

     10.13 NO THIRD PARTIES BENEFITED. This Agreement is made and entered into
for the sole protection and legal benefit of the Companies, the Banks, the Agent
and the Agent-Related Persons, and their permitted successors and assigns, and
no other Person

                                       78
<PAGE>
 
shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of, or have any direct or
indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents.

     10.14 GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION.

     (a) THIS AGREEMENT (AND THE NOTES) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; PROVIDED THAT THE AGENT AND
THE BANKS SHALL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS ARISING UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

     (b) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR OF
THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND BY EXECUTION AND
DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE COMPANIES, THE AGENT AND THE BANKS
CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS. EACH OF THE COMPANIES, THE AGENT AND THE BANKS
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE
OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER
HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT
OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO. THE COMPANIES, THE AGENT AND
THE BANKS EACH WAIVE PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR OTHER
PROCESS, WHICH MAY BE MADE BY ANY OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY NEW YORK LAW.

     10.15 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE COMPANIES, THE BANKS AND THE AGENT EACH
WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION
BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, IN ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING OR OTHER LITIGATION OF ANY TYPE BROUGHT BY ANY OF THE PARTIES AGAINST
ANY OTHER PARTY OR ANY AGENT-RELATED PERSON, PARTICIPANT OR ASSIGNEE, WHETHER
WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, OR OTHERWISE. THE COMPANIES, THE
BANKS AND THE AGENT EACH AGREE THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE
TRIED BY A COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THE
PARTIES FURTHER AGREE THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS WAIVED
BY OPERATION OF THIS SECTION AS TO ANY ACTION, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING
WHICH SEEKS, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF
THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY PROVISION HEREOF OR THEREOF.
THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR
MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

                                       79
<PAGE>
 
     10.16 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, together with the other Loan
Documents, embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the Companies,
the Banks and the Agent, and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements
and understandings of such Persons, verbal or written, relating to the subject
matter hereof and thereof.

     10.17 JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THIS
AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, EACH OBLIGATION (AS DEFINED HEREIN) SHALL BE A JOINT
AND SEVERAL OBLIGATION OF EACH OF THE COMPANIES AND THE AGENTS AND THE BANKS
SHALL HAVE FULL RECOURSE AGAINST EITHER OR BOTH OF THE COMPANIES FOR PAYMENT IN
FULL OF ALL SUCH OBLIGATIONS.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of
the day and year first above written.

                                       80
<PAGE>
 
                                       ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC.


                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title: Vice President-Finance/CFO


                                       Address for notices:

                                       St. Jude Medical, Inc.
                                       One Lillehei Plaza
                                       St. Paul, MN 55117
                                       Attn:  Chief Financial Officer
                                       Facsimile:  612/490-4333
                                       Tel:  612/481-7542


                                       PACESETTER, INC.


                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title: Assistant Treasurer


                                       Address for notices:

                                       One Lillehei Plaza
                                       St. Paul, MN 55117
                                       Attn:  Chief Financial Officer
                                       Facsimile:  612/490-4333
                                       Tel: 612/481-7542

                                       81
<PAGE>
 
                                       BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                                       AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,
                                       as Administrative Agent


                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:  Mary Therese Carlson
                                       Title: Vice President

                                       Address for notices:

                                       231 South LaSalle Street, 9th Fl
                                       Chicago, IL 60697
                                       Attn:  Mary Therese Carlson, VP

                                       Address for payments:

                                       Agency Administrative Services #5596
                                       1850 Gateway Boulevard, 5th Fl.
                                       Concord, California 94520-3281
                                       Attn:  Alvin Johnson
                                       Facsimile: (510)675-8426
                                       Tel:  (510)675-8500


                                       BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                                       AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as a Bank

                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:  Mary Therese Carlson
                                       Title: Vice President

                                       Address for notices:

                                       Domestic & Offshore Lending Office:
                                       1850 Gateway Boulevard, 3rd. Fl.
                                       Concord, California 94520
                                       Attn: Lisa George, Account Administration
                                       Tel: (510)675-7740
                                       Facsimile: (510)603-8211

                                       with a copy of each notice to:

                                       82
<PAGE>
 
                                       Bank of America National Trust and 
                                       Savings Association
                                       231 South LaSalle Street
                                       Chicago, Illinois 60697
                                       Attention:  Mary Therese Carlson
                                       Facsimile: (312)987-1276
                                       Telephone:  (312) 828-7968


                                       CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON


                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:  Robert B. Potter
                                       Title:  Vice President

                                       ----------------------------------
                                       By:  Thomas G. Muoio
                                       Title:  Vice President


                                       Address for notices:

                                       11 Madison Avenue
                                       New York, NY  10010-3629
                                       Attn:  Robert B. Potter
                                       Tel: 212/325-9154
                                       Facsimile: 212/325-8319


                                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO



                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By: Scott D. Moreen
                                       Title: Vice President

                                       Address for notices:

                                       One First National Plaza
                                       Suite 0173
                                       Chicago, IL 60670
                                       Attn:  J. Garland Smith
                                       Tel:  312/732-2735
                                       Facsimile:  312/732-1117

                                       83
<PAGE>
 
                                       U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:  David A. Shapiro
                                       Title:


                                       Address for notices:

                                       U.S. Bank National Association
                                       601 Second Avenue South, MPFP-0609
                                       Minneapolis, MN 55402
                                       Attention:  David A. Shapiro
                                       Tel:  612/973-0511
                                       Facsimile:  612/973-0822


                                       NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.



                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:
                                       Address for notices:

                                       Norwest Center
                                       6th and Marquette
                                       Minneapolis, MN  55479
                                       Attn:  Scott Bjelde
                                       Tel: 612/667-6126
                                       Facsimile: 612/667-4145


                                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                                       84
<PAGE>
 
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:


                                       Address for notices:
                                       1 Wall Street, 19th Floor
                                       New York, NY  10286
                                       Attn:  Rich Raffetto
                                       Tel:  212/635-8044
                                       Facsimile:  212/635-5272

                                       BANQUE PARIBAS
          

                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:


                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:


                                       Address for notices:

                                       227 West Monroe, Suite 3300
                                       Chicago, IL 60606
                                       Attn:  Karen E. Coons
                                       Tel: 312/853-6011
                                       Facsimile: 312/853-6020



                                       THE BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI,
                                       LTD., CHICAGO BRANCH



                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:  Jeffrey Arnold
                                       Title:  Vice President

                                       85
<PAGE>
 
                                       Address for notices:

                                       227 West Monroe, Suite 2300
                                       Chicago, IL 60606
                                       Attn:  Loan Administration
                                       Tel: 312/696-4710
                                       Facsimile: 312/696-4532









                                       SUNTRUST BANK, CENTRAL FLORIDA,
                                       NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:


                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:

                                       Address for notices:

                                       200 South Orange Ave
                                       Mail Code  1108
                                       Orlando, FL  32801
                                       Attn:  Joe Kabourek
                                       Tel:  407/237-4855
                                       Facsimile:  407/237-5342




                                       WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.



                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:

                                       86
<PAGE>
 
                                       Address for notices:

                                       191 Peachtree St. N.E.
                                       Atlanta, GA 30303
                                       Attn:  Frances W. Josephic
                                       Tel: 404/332-4132
                                       Facsimile: 404/332-6898






                                       ABN AMRO Bank N.V.



                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:


                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:  John P. Richardson
                                       Title:  Assistant Vice President


                                       Address for notices:

                                       4100 U.S. Bank Place
                                       601 Second Ave. S.
                                       Minneapolis, MN  55402
                                       Attn:  Peter L. Eaton
                                       Tel:  612/337-9865
                                       Facsimile:  612/338-8687

                                       With a copy of each notice to:

                                       135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 2805

                                       87
<PAGE>
 
                                       Chicago, IL 60603
                                       Attn:  Credit Administration
                                       Tel: 312/904-8835
                                       Facsimile: 312/904-8840


                                       BANCA COMMERCIALE ITALIANA,
                                       CHICAGO BRANCH


                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:

                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:


                                       Address for notices:

                                       New York Branch
                                       One William Street
                                       New York, NY  10004
                                       Attn:  Johnathan Sahr
                                       Tel: 212/607-3814
                                       Facsimile: 212/422-6651

                                       88
<PAGE>
 
                                       BANCO CENTRAL HISPANOAMERICANO S.A.



                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:


                                       Address for notices:

                                       50 Broadway
                                       New York, NY  10004
                                       Attn:  Luis M. Ferreira
                                       Tel: 212/361-5149
                                       Facsimile: 212/361-5139






                                       BANCA POPOLARE DI MILANO



                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:  Anthony Franco
                                       Title:  Executive Vice President
                                       and General Manager


                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:  Esperanza Quintero
                                       Title:  Vice President

                                       Address for notices:

                                       375 Park Avenue
                                       9th Floor

                                       89
<PAGE>
 
                                       New York, NY  10152
                                       Attn:  Esperanza Quintero
                                       Tel: 212/758-5040
                                       Facsimile: 212/838-1077


                                       BANQUE NATIONALE DE PARIS



                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:


                                       Address for notices:

                                       209 S. LaSalle St.
                                       Chicago, IL 60604
                                       Attn:  Jo Ellen Bender
                                       Tel:  312/8977-2225
                                       Facsimile:  312/977-1380






                                       CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ



                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:


                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:

                                       90
<PAGE>
 
                                       Address for notices:

                                       55 E. Monroe St.  Suite 4700
                                       Chicago, IL 60603
                                       Attn:  Richard Drennan
                                       Tel: 312/917-7441
                                       Facsimile: 312/372-3724


                                       FIRSTAR BANK OF MINNESOTA, N.A.



                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:


                                       Address for notices:

                                       101 East 5th Street
                                       St. Paul, MN  55101
                                       Attn:  Karen S. Paris
                                       Tel: 612/225-3842
                                       Facsimile: 612/298-6351











                                       KREDIETBANK N.V.



                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:

                                       91
<PAGE>
 
                                       Address for notices:

                                       125 West 55th Street
                                       New York, NY  10019
                                       Attn:  John Thierfelder
                                       Tel: 212/541-0727
                                       Facsimile: 212/541-0793


                                       MERITA BANK LTD.



                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:

                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:


                                       Address for notices:

                                       437 Madison Avenue 21st. Fl.
                                       New York, NY  10022
                                       Attn:  Frank Maffei
                                       Tel: 212/318-9561
                                       Facsimile: 212-421-4420






                                       REPUBLIC NATIONAL BANK OF NEW YORK



                                       -----------------------------------
                                       By:
                                       Title:

                                       92
<PAGE>
 
                                       Address for notices:

                                       452 Fifth Ave. - 25th Fl.
                                       New York, NY  10018
                                       Attn: Gary Weiss
                                       Tel: 212/525-6387
                                       Facsimile: 212/525-8370

                                       93

<PAGE>
                                                                  Exhibit (b)(3)
================================================================================



                             $350,000,000 FIVE YEAR


                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                           DATED AS OF MARCH 16, 1998


                                     AMONG


                            ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC.,

                                PACESETTER, INC.

                         BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                            AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,

                            AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,

                          CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON,

                             AS SYNDICATION AGENT,

                      THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,

                             AS DOCUMENTATION AGENT


                                      AND


                 THE OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO


                                  ARRANGED BY

                         BANCAMERICA ROBERTSON STEPHENS


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


Section
Page

  ARTICLE I
                                 DEFINITIONS...............   1
  1.01  Certain Defined Terms..............................   1
  1.02  Other Interpretive Provisions......................  19
        (a)    Defined Terms...............................  19
        (b)    The Agreement...............................  19
        (c)    Certain Common Terms........................  20
        (d)    Performance; Time...........................  20
        (e)    Contracts...................................  20
        (f)    Laws........................................  20
        (g)    Captions....................................  20
        (h)    Independence of Provisions..................  20
  1.03  Accounting Principles..............................  20

  ARTICLE II
                                 THE CREDIT................  21
  2.01  The Revolving Credit...............................  21
  2.02  Loan Accounts; Bid Loan Notes......................  21
  2.03  Procedure for Committed Borrowing..................  22
  2.04  Conversion and Continuation Elections..............  23
  2.05  Bid Borrowings.....................................  25
  2.06  Procedure for Bid Borrowings.......................  25
  2.07  Voluntary Termination or Reduction of Commitments..  29
  2.08  Optional Prepayments...............................  29
  2.09  Optional Increase in Commitments...................  30
  2.10  Repayment..........................................  30
  2.11  Interest...........................................  30
  2.12  Fees...............................................  31
        (a)    Arrangement, Agency Fees, Other Fees........  31
        (b)    Facility Fees...............................  32
  2.13  Computation of Fees and Interest...................  32
  2.14  Payments by the Companies..........................  33
  2.15  Payments by the Banks to the Agent.................  34
  2.16  Sharing of Payments, Etc...........................  35

  ARTICLE III
             TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY........  35
  3.01  Taxes..............................................  35
  3.02  Illegality.........................................  37
  3.03  Increased Costs and Reduction of Return............  38
  3.04  Funding Losses.....................................  38
  3.05  Inability to Determine Rates.......................  39
  3.06  Reserves on Offshore Rate Committed Loans..........  40
  3.07  Certificates of Banks..............................  40
  3.08  Substitution of Banks..............................  40
  3.09  Survival...........................................  40

<PAGE>
 
  ARTICLE IV
                            CONDITIONS PRECEDENT............  41
  4.01  Conditions of Initial Loans.........................  41
        (a)   Credit Agreement; Notes.......................  41
        (b)   Resolutions; Incumbency.......................  41
        (c)   Organization Documents; Good Standing.........  41
        (d)   Legal Opinions................................  42
        (e)   Payment of Fees...............................  42
        (f)   Certificate...................................  42
        (g)   Other Documents...............................  42
  4.02  Conditions to All Borrowings........................  42
        (a)   Notice of Borrowing or Conversion/Continuation  42
        (b)   Continuation of Representations and Warranties  43
        (c)   No Existing Default...........................  43

  ARTICLE V
                       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.......  43
  5.01  Corporate Existence and Power.......................  43
  5.02  Corporate Authorization; No Contravention...........  44
  5.03  Governmental Authorization..........................  44
  5.04  Binding Effect......................................  44
  5.05  Litigation..........................................  44
  5.06  No Default..........................................  45
  5.07  ERISA Compliance....................................  45
  5.08  Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations.................  46
  5.09  Title to Properties.................................  46 
  5.10  Taxes...............................................  46
  5.11  Financial Condition.................................  47
  5.12  Environmental Matters...............................  47
  5.13  Regulated Entities..................................  47
  5.14  No Burdensome Restrictions..........................  48
  5.15  Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Licenses, etc...  48
  5.16  Subsidiaries........................................  48
  5.17  Insurance...........................................  48
  5.18  Full Disclosure.....................................  48

  ARTICLE VI
                            AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS...........  49
  6.01  Financial Statements................................  49
  6.02  Certificates; Other Information.....................  50
  6.03  Notices.............................................  50
  6.04  Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc............  52
  6.05  Maintenance of Property.............................  52
  6.06  Insurance...........................................  52
  6.07  Payment of Obligations..............................  53
  6.08  Compliance with Laws................................  53
  6.09  Inspection of Property and Books and Records........  53
  6.10  Environmental Laws..................................  54
  6.11  Use of Proceeds.....................................  54

  ARTICLE VII
                             NEGATIVE COVENANTS.............  54
<PAGE>
 
  7.01  Limitation on Liens.....................  54
  7.02  Disposition of Assets...................  56
  7.03  Consolidations and Mergers..............  57
  7.04  Loans and Investments...................  57
  7.06  Transactions with Affiliates............  59
  7.07  Use of Proceeds; Regulations U..........  59
  7.08  Limitation on Subsidiary Dividends......  59
  7.09  Joint Ventures..........................  59
  7.10  [Reserved]..............................  60
  7.11  Restricted Payments.....................  60
  7.12  Change in Business......................  60
  7.13  Accounting Changes......................  60
  7.14  Interest Coverage Ratio.................  60
  7.15  Total Debt to Total Capitalization......  61
 
  ARTICLE VIII
                     EVENTS OF DEFAULT..........  61
  8.01  Event of Default........................  61
        (a)    Non-Payment......................  61
        (b)    Representation or Warranty.......  61
        (c)    Specific Defaults................  61
        (d)    Other Defaults...................  61 
        (e)    Cross-Default....................  62
        (f)    Insolvency; Voluntary Proceedings  62
        (g)    Involuntary Proceedings..........  62
        (h)    ERISA............................  63
        (i)    Monetary Judgments...............  63
        (j)    Non-Monetary Judgments...........  63
        (k)    Change of Control................  63
        (l)    Loss of Licenses.................  63
  8.02  Remedies................................  64
  8.03  Rights Not Exclusive....................  64

  ARTICLE IX
                       THE AGENT................  65 
  9.01  Appointment and Authorization...........  65
  9.02  Delegation of Duties....................  65
  9.03  Liability of Agent......................  65
  9.04  Reliance by Agent.......................  66
  9.05  Notice of Default.......................  66
  9.06  Credit Decision.........................  67
  9.07  Indemnification.........................  67
  9.08  Agent in Individual Capacity............  68
  9.09  Successor Agent.........................  68
  9.10  Withholding Tax ........................  69
 


<PAGE>
 
  ARTICLE X
                          MISCELLANEOUS....................  70
  10.01  Amendments and Waivers............................  70
  10.02  Notices...........................................  71
  10.03  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies....................  72
  10.04  Costs and Expenses................................  72
  10.05  Indemnity.........................................  73
  10.06  Payments Set Aside................................  73
  10.07  Successors and Assigns............................  74
  10.08  Assignments, Participations, etc..................  74
  10.09  Set-off...........................................  78
  10.10  Notification of Addresses, Lending Offices, Etc...  78
  10.11  Counterparts......................................  78
  10.12  Severability......................................  78
  10.13  No Third Parties Benefited........................  79
  10.14  Governing Law and Jurisdiction....................  79
  10.15  Waiver of Jury Trial..............................  79
  10.16  Entire Agreement..................................  80
  10.17  JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS.....................  80

  SCHEDULES

  Schedule 2.01       List of Commitments and Pro Rata Shares
  Schedule 5.05       Litigation Schedule
  Schedule 5.07       ERISA Schedule
  Schedule 5.10       Schedule of Taxes
  Schedule 5.11       Schedule of Material Indebtedness
  Schedule 5.12       Environmental Schedule
  Schedule 5.16       List of Subsidiaries and Equity Investments
  Schedule 6.06       Insurance Coverage on the Closing Date
  Schedule 7.01       Existing Liens
  Schedule 7.04(a)    Investment Policy
  Schedule 7.05       Existing Subsidiary Indebtedness
                       and Contingent Obligations
  Schedule 10.02      Offshore and Domestic Lending Offices,
                      Addresses for Notices

  EXHIBITS

  Exhibit A      Form of Compliance Certificate
  Exhibit B      Form of Notice of Borrowing
  Exhibit C      Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
  Exhibit D      Form of Bank's Competitive Bid Request
  Exhibit E      Form of Competitive Bid
  Exhibit F      Form of Bid Loan Note
  Exhibit F-1    Form of Committed Loan Note
  Exhibit G      Form of Bank's Response to Pro Rata Commitment Increase Request
  Exhibit H-1    Form of Supplement for Non-Pro Rata Commitment
                 Increase (Existing Bank)
<PAGE>
 
EXHIBITS (continued)

  Exhibit H-2    Form of Supplement for Commitment Increase (New Bank)
  Exhibit I      Form of Opinion of Counsel to the Companies
  Exhibit J      Form of Pricing   Certificate
  Exhibit K      Form of Assignment and Acceptance Agreement
<PAGE>
 
                             $350,000,000 FIVE YEAR
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


     This AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of March 16 ,
1998 among St. Jude Medical, Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("St. Jude"),
Pacesetter, Inc., a Delaware corporation, ("Pacesetter," which, together with
St. Jude, shall be called the "Companies"; and each a "Company") the several
financial institutions from time to time party to this Agreement (collectively,
the "Banks"; individually, a "Bank"), and Bank of America National Trust and
Savings Association, as Administrative Agent, for the Banks.

     WHEREAS, the Banks have agreed to make available to the Companies jointly
and severally, a revolving credit facility upon the terms and conditions set
forth in that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 17,
1996 among the Companies and the Banks;

     WHEREAS, the Companies and the Banks desire to terminate such credit
agreement and replace it with the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement and the 364 Day Agreement;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions and
covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS

     1.01 CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS. The following terms have the following
meanings:

     "Absolute Rate" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.06(c)(ii)(D).

     "Absolute Rate Auction" means a solicitation of Competitive Bids setting
forth Absolute Rates pursuant to Section 2.06.

     "Absolute Rate Bid Loan" means a Bid Loan that bears interest at a rate
determined with reference to the Absolute Rate.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
     "Acquisition" means any transaction or series of related transactions for
the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the acquisition of
all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or of any business or
division of a Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of 50% of the capital
stock, partnership interests or equity of any Person or otherwise causing any
Person, to become a Subsidiary, or (c) a merger or consolidation or any other
combination with another Person (other than a Person that is a Subsidiary)
provided that such Company or the Subsidiary is the surviving entity.

     "Administrative Agent" means BofA in its capacity as agent for the Banks
hereunder, and any successor agent arising under Section 9.09.

     "Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person which, directly or
indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with,
such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if the
controlling Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management and policies of the other Person, whether
through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.

     "Agent" means only the Administrative Agent.

     "Agents" means the Administrative Agent, the Documentation Agent and the
Syndication Agent.

     "Agent-Related Persons" means the Agents and any successor agent arising
under Section 9.09, together with their respective Affiliates (including, in the
case of the Administrative Agent, the Arranger), and the officers, directors,
employees, agents and attorneys-in-fact of such Persons and Affiliates.

     "Agent's Payment Office" means the address for payments set forth on the
signature page hereto in relation to the Administrative Agent, or such other
address as the Administrative Agent may from time to time specify.

     "Agreement" means this Credit Agreement.

     "Applicable Margin" and "Facility Fee" means, the number of basis points
designated below in the applicable column and appropriate grid based on (a) St.
Jude's Ratio of Total Debt/Total Capitalization ("Ratio") or (b) the actual
rating of St. Jude's senior unsecured long-term debt by either 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
or both of Moody's or S&P in effect on the date of determination (the "Rating"):

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
===================================================================
                                                     Applicable
Level              Ratio          Facility Fee         Margin
                                 (basis points)    (basis points)
===================================================================
I              Less than 15%       7.0 bp             15.5 bp
===================================================================
II       15% - Less than 25%       8.0 bp             17.0 bp
===================================================================
III      25% - Less than 35%      10.0 bp             20.0 bp
===================================================================
IV                 35% - 45%      11.0 bp             26.5 bp
===================================================================
V           Greater than 45%      15.0 bp             30.0 bp
===================================================================


===================================================================
                                                        Applicable 
   Level           Rating           Facility Fee          Margin
                 S&P/Moody's       (basis points)     (basis points)
===================================================================
I              A/A2 or higher          7.0 bp            15.5 bp
===================================================================
II                  A-/A3              8.0 bp            17.0 bp
===================================================================
III               BBB+/Baa1            10 bp              20 bp
===================================================================
IV                BBB/Baa2             11 bp             26.5 bp
===================================================================
V                 BBB-/Baa3           12.5 bp            32.5 bp
===================================================================
VI            BB+/Ba1 or lower        17.5 bp             40 bp
===================================================================

provided, however, that:

     (a) The Applicable Margin and Facility Fee shall be determined by the Ratio
until St. Jude obtains a Rating from either S&P or Moody's. Thereafter, the
Applicable Margin and Facility Fee shall be based on the Rating. In the event no
Rating is available, the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee shall be based on
the Ratio until such time a Rating is available. As of the date of this
Agreement until the delivery of the Pricing Certificate for the first fiscal
quarter of 1998, the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee will be based on Level
IV Ratio.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     (b) As long as the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee shall be determined
by the Ratio, the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee shall be adjusted, to the
extent applicable, 45 days , or, in the case of the last fiscal quarter of any
fiscal year, 90 days after the end of each fiscal quarter , based on the Ratio
as of the last day of such fiscal quarter; it being understood that if St. Jude
fails to deliver the financial statements required by subsection 6.01(a) or
6.01(b), as applicable, and the related certificates, if any, required by
Section 6.02, by the 45th day or such later date mutually agreed to by St. Jude
and the Agent and the Banks (or, if applicable, the 90th day or such later date
mutually agreed to by St. Jude and the Agent and the Banks) after any fiscal
quarter, the Applicable Margin shall be 30 basis points and the Facility Fee
shall be 15 basis points until such financial statements and certificates are
delivered;

     (c) If the Ratings established by S&P and Moody's shall fall within
different Levels, the Applicable Margin and Facility Fee shall be based on the
Rating listed on the numerically lower Level , provided the Ratings are not more
than one Level apart and, if they are more than one Level apart, the Applicable
Margin and Facility Fee shall be based on the Rating one Level below the higher
of the two Levels determined numerically;

     (d) If any Rating shall be established or changed, it shall be effective on
the date first announced publicly by the agency establishing such Rating or
making such change;

     (e) If S&P or Moody's shall change the basis on which ratings are
established, each reference to the Rating announced by S&P or Moody's, as the
case may be, shall refer to the then equivalent Rating by S&P or Moody's, as the
case may be;

     (f) If only one of S&P or Moody's shall have in effect a Rating, the
Applicable Margin and Facility Fee shall be determined by reference to the
available Rating; and

provided, further, however, that:

     (g) In the event that the total aggregate amount of Loans outstanding under
this Agreement exceeds 50% of the total aggregate amount of the Banks'
Commitments, the Applicable Margin, whether determined by the Ratio or Rating,
shall be increased at each Level by 5 basis points. This 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
increase shall be effective on the date such percentage is exceeded and shall
remain in effect for so long as there are Loans outstanding in excess of such
percentage.

     "Arranger" means BancAmerica Robertson Stephens.

     "Assignee" has the meaning specified in subsection 10.08(a). --------

     "Assignment and Acceptance" has the meaning specified in subsection
10.08(a).

     "Attorney Costs" means and includes all reasonable fees and disbursements
of any law firm or other external counsel, the reasonable allocated cost of
internal legal services and all reasonable disbursements of internal counsel.

     "Bank" has the meaning specified in the introductory clause hereto.

     "Bankruptcy Code" means the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 (11
U.S.C. (S)101, et seq.).

     "Base Rate" means, for any day, the higher of:

          (a) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced
     from time to time by BofA in San Francisco, California, as its "reference
     rate." The "reference rate" is a rate set by BofA based upon various
     factors including BofA's costs and desired return, general economic
     conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing
     some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate.
     Any change in the reference rate announced by BofA shall take effect at the
     opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such
     change; and

          (b) 0.50% per annum above the latest Federal Funds Rate.

     "Base Rate Committed Loan" means a Committed Loan that bears interest based
on the Base Rate.

     "Bid Borrowing" means a Borrowing hereunder consisting of one or more Bid
Loans made to either of the Companies on the same day by one or more Banks.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     "Bid Loan" means a Loan by a Bank to either of the Companies under Section
2.05, which may be a LIBOR Bid Loan or an Absolute Rate Bid Loan.

     "Bid Loan Lender" means, in respect of any Bid Loan, the Bank making such
Bid Loan to either of the Companies.

     "Bid Loan Note" has the meaning specified in Section 2.02.

     "BofA" means Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, a
national banking association.

     "Borrowing" means a borrowing hereunder consisting of Loans of the same
Type made to either of the Companies on the same day by the Banks under Article
II, and may be a Committed Borrowing or a Bid Borrowing and, other than in the
case of Base Rate Committed Loans, having the same Interest Period.

     "Borrowing Date" means any date on which a Borrowing occurs under Section
2.03 or Section 2.05.

     "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
which commercial banks in New York City or San Francisco are authorized or
required by law to close and, if the applicable Business Day relates to any
Offshore Rate Loan, means such a day on which dealings are carried on in the
applicable offshore dollar interbank market.

     "Capital Adequacy Regulation" means any guideline, request or directive of
any central bank or other Governmental Authority, or any other law, rule or
regulation, whether or not having the force of law, in each case, regarding
capital adequacy of any bank or of any corporation controlling a bank.

     "Closing Date" means the date on which all conditions precedent set forth
in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived by all Banks (or, in the case of
subsection 4.01(e), waived by the Person entitled to receive such payment).

     "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and regulations promulgated
thereunder.

    "Commitment", as to each Bank, has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     "Committed Borrowing" means a Borrowing hereunder consisting of Committed
Loans made on the same day by the Banks ratably according to their respective
Pro Rata Shares and, in the case of Offshore Rate Committed Loans, having the
same Interest Periods.

     "Committed Loan" means a Loan by a Bank to either of the Companies under
Section 2.01, and may be an Offshore Rate Committed Loan or a Base Rate
Committed Loan (each, a "Type" of Committed Loan).

     "Committed Loan Note" has the meaning specified in Section 2.02.

     "Competitive Bid" means an offer by a Bank to make a Bid Loan in accordance
with subsection 2.06(b).

     "Competitive Bid Request" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.06(a).

     "Compliance Certificate" means a certificate substantially in the form of
Exhibit A.

     "Conduit" has the meaning given to that term in (iv) of the definition of
Eligible Assignee.

     "Consolidated Net Worth" means as of the date of determination, the
consolidated stockholders' equity of St. Jude and its consolidated Subsidiaries.

     "Contingent Obligation" means, as applied to any Person, any direct or
indirect liability of that Person with respect to any Indebtedness, lease,
dividend, surety instrument or other obligation (the "primary obligations") of
another Person (the "primary obligor"), including any obligation of that Person,
whether or not contingent, (a) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such
primary obligations or any property constituting direct or indirect security
therefor, or (b) to advance or provide funds (i) for the payment or discharge of
any such primary obligation, or (ii) to maintain working capital or equity
capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or
solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income or financial condition of
the primary obligor, or (c) to purchase property, securities or services
primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation
of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary
obligation, or (d) otherwise to assure or hold 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
harmless the holder of any such primary obligation against loss in respect
thereof; in each case (a), (b), (c) or (d), including arrangements wherein the
rights and remedies of the holder of the primary obligation are limited to
repossession or sale of certain property of such Person. The amount of any
Contingent Obligation shall be deemed equal to the stated or determinable amount
of the primary obligation in respect of which such Contingent Obligation is made
or, if not stated or if indeterminable, the maximum reasonably anticipated
liability in respect thereof.

     "Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any provision of any
security issued by such Person or of any agreement, undertaking, contract,
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument, document or agreement to
which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound and
which is material to such Person.

     "Conversion/Continuation Date" means any date on which, under Section 2.04,
either of the Companies (a) converts Committed Loans of one Type to another
Type, or (b) continues as Committed Loans of the same Type (but with a new
Interest Period), Committed Loans having Interest Periods expiring on such date.

     "Default" means any event or circumstance which, with the giving of notice,
the lapse of time, or both, would (if not cured or otherwise remedied during
such time) constitute an Event of Default.

     "Documentation Agent" means The First National Bank of Chicago.

     "Dollars", "dollars" and "$" each mean lawful money of the United States.

     "Eligible Assignee" means (i) a commercial bank organized or licensed under
the laws of the United States, or any state thereof, and having a combined
capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000; (ii) a commercial bank organized
under the laws of any other country which is a member of the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (the "OECD"), or a political subdivision of
any such country, and having a combined capital and surplus of at least
$100,000,000, provided that such bank is acting through a branch or agency
located in the United States; (iii) a Person that is primarily engaged in the
business of commercial banking and that is (A) a Subsidiary of a Bank, (B) a
Subsidiary of a Person of which a Bank is a 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
Subsidiary, or (C) a Person of which a Bank is a Subsidiary; or (iv) a special
purpose corporation which is engaged in making purchasing or otherwise investing
in commercial loans in the ordinary course of business and which is also subject
to the restrictions contained in Section 10.08 (g)("Conduit").

     "Environmental Claims" means all claims, however asserted, by any
Governmental Authority or other Person alleging potential liability or
responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law, or for release or injury
to the environment.

     "Environmental Laws" means all federal, state or local laws, statutes,
common law duties, rules, regulations, ordinances and codes, together with all
administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and
permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authorities, in each case
relating to environmental, health, safety and land use matters.

     "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

     "ERISA Event" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan;
(b) a withdrawal by either of the Companies from a Pension Plan subject to
Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer
(as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations which
is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) the filing
of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a plan amendment as a
termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA or the commencement of
proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA
other than standard termination under Section 4041(b) of ERISA; (d) a failure by
either of the Companies to make required contributions to a Pension Plan or
other Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code; (e) an event or condition which
constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the
appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (f) the imposition of
any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than PBGC premiums due but not
delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon either of the Companies; or (g) an
application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period
pursuant to Section 412 of the Code with respect to any Pension Plan.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
     "Event of Default" means any of the events or circumstances specified in
Section 8.01.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

     "Existing Agreement" means that certain Amended and Restated Agreement
dated July 17, 1996, as the same may be amended from time to time, made among
the Companies, the several financial institutions , party thereto, and Bank of
America National Trust and Savings Association, as agent.

     "Facility Fee" has the meaning given to that term in the definition of
Applicable Margin and Section 2.12(b).

     "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate set forth in the weekly
statistical release designated as H.15(519), or any successor publication,
published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (including any such successor,
"H.15(519)") on the preceding Business Day opposite the caption "Federal Funds
(Effective)"; or, if any relevant day such rate is not so published on any such
preceding Business Day, the rate for such day will be the arithmetic mean as
determined by the Agent of the rates for the last transaction in overnight
Federal funds arranged prior to 9:00 a.m. (New York City time) on that day by
each of three leading brokers of Federal funds transactions in New York City
selected by the Agent.

     "Fee Letter" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.12(a).

     "FRB" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and any
Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

     "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth from time
to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board
and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and
pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with
similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the U.S. accounting
profession), which are applicable to the circumstances as of the Closing Date.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     "Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any state or other
political subdivision thereof, any central bank (or similar monetary or
regulatory authority) thereof, any entity exercising executive, legislative,
judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government,
and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through stock or
capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.

     "Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all
indebtedness for borrowed money; (b) all obligations issued, undertaken or
assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade
payables entered into in the ordinary course of business on ordinary terms); (c)
all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments,
including obligations so evidenced incurred in connection with the acquisition
of property, assets or businesses; (d) all indebtedness created or arising under
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as
financing, in either case with respect to property acquired by the Person (even
though the rights and remedies of the seller or bank under such agreement in the
event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property); and (e)
all obligations with respect to capital leases.

     "Indemnified Liabilities" has the meaning specified in Section 10.05.

     "Indemnified Person" has the meaning specified in Section 10.05.

     "Independent Auditor" has the meaning specified in subsection 6.01(a).

     "Insolvency Proceeding" means (a) any case, action or proceeding before any
court or other Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy, reorganization,
insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution, winding-up or relief of
debtors, or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors,
composition, marshalling of assets for creditors, or other, similar arrangement
in respect of its creditors generally or any substantial portion of its
creditors; undertaken under U.S. Federal, state or foreign law, including the
Bankruptcy Code.

     "Interest Payment Date" means, as to any Loan other than a Base Rate
Committed Loan, the last day of each 

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
Interest Period applicable to such Loan and, as to any Base Rate Committed Loan,
the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and each date such Committed Loan
is converted into another Type of Committed Loan, provided, however, that (a) if
any Interest Period for an Offshore Rate Committed Loan exceeds three months,
the date that falls three months after the beginning of such Interest Period and
for each three month period occurring after such date is also an Interest
Payment Date, and (b) as to any Bid Loan, such intervening dates prior to the
maturity thereof as may be specified by either of the Companies and agreed to by
the applicable Bid Loan Lender in the applicable Competitive Bid shall also be
Interest Payment Dates.

     "Interest Period" means, (a) as to any Offshore Rate Committed Loan, the
period commencing on the Business Day such Loan is disbursed, or on the
Conversion/Continuation Date on which the Loan is converted into or continued as
an Offshore Rate Committed Loan, and ending on the date one, two, three or six
months (or, if available, as determined by all of the Banks, nine or twelve
months) thereafter, as selected by either of the Companies in its Notice of
Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation, as the case may be; (b) as to
any LIBOR Bid Loan, the period commencing on the Business Day such Loan is
disbursed and ending on the date one, two, three, or six months , thereafter as
selected by either of the Companies in the applicable Competitive Bid Request
and agreed to by the applicable Bid Loan Lender(s); and (c) as to any Absolute
Rate Bid Loan, a period of not less than 14 days and not more than 365/366 (as
appropriate) days as selected by either of the Companies in the applicable
Competitive Bid Request and agreed to by the applicable Bid Loan Lender(s);

provided that:

          (i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a
     Business Day, that Interest Period shall be extended to the following
     Business Day unless, in the case of an Offshore Rate Loan, the result of
     such extension would be to carry such Interest Period into another calendar
     month, in which event such Interest Period shall end on the preceding
     Business Day;

          (ii) any Interest Period pertaining to an Offshore Rate Loan that
     begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which
     there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at 

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the
     calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

          (iii) no Interest Period for any Loan shall extend beyond the
     Revolving Termination Date.


     "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service, and any Governmental Authority
succeeding to any of its principal functions.

     "Joint Venture" means a corporation, partnership, joint venture or other
similar legal arrangement (whether created by contract or conducted through a
separate legal entity) now or hereafter formed by either of the Companies or any
of its Subsidiaries with another Person in order to conduct a common venture or
enterprise with such Person.

     "Lending Office" means, as to any Bank, the office or offices of such Bank
specified as its "Lending Office" or "Domestic Lending Office" or "Offshore
Lending Office", as the case may be, on Schedule 10.02, or such other office or
offices as such Bank may from time to time notify the Companies and the Agent.

     "Level" means the numbered levels listed on the Ratio grid or the Rating
grid contained in the definition of Applicable Margin and Facility Fee.

     "LIBOR Rate" means, for any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Bid
Loan or Offshore Rate Committed Loan the rate of interest per annum determined
by the Agent to be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward to the nearest 1/16th of
1%) of the rates of interest per annum notified to the Agent by each Reference
Bank as the rate of interest at which dollar deposits in the approximate amount
of, in the case of LIBOR Bid Loans, the LIBOR Bid Loans to be borrowed in such
Bid Loan Borrowing, and, in the case of Offshore Rate Committed Loans, the
Offshore Rate Committed Loan to be made, continued or converted by such
Reference Bank, and having a maturity comparable to such Interest Period, would
be offered to major banks in the London interbank market at their request at
approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
     "LIBOR Auction" means a solicitation of Competitive Bids setting forth a
LIBOR Bid Margin pursuant to Section 2.06.

     "LIBOR Bid Loan" means any Bid Loan that bears interest at a rate based
upon the LIBOR Rate.

     "LIBOR Bid Margin" has the meaning specified in subsection 2.06(c)(ii)(C).

     "Lien" means any security interest, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge,
hypothecation, assignment, charge or deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien
(statutory or other) or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature
whatsoever in respect of any property (including those created by, arising under
or evidenced by any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, the
interest of a lessor under a capital lease, any financing lease having
substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, or the filing of
any financing statement naming the owner of the asset to which such lien relates
as debtor, under the Uniform Commercial Code or any comparable law) and any
contingent or other agreement to provide any of the foregoing, but not including
the interest of a lessor under an operating lease.

     "Loan" means an extension of credit by a Bank to a Company under Article
II, and may be a Committed Loan or a Bid Loan.

     "Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Notes, the Fee Letter and all
other documents delivered to the Agent or any Bank in connection herewith.

     "Majority Banks" means (a) at any time prior to the Revolving Termination
Date, Banks then holding at least 66 2/3% of the Commitments, and (b) otherwise,
Banks then holding at least 66 2/3% of the then aggregate unpaid principal
amount of the Loans.

     "Margin Stock" means "margin stock" as such term is defined in Regulation
G, T, U or X of the FRB.

     "Material Adverse Effect" means (a) a material adverse change in, or a
material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, or financial condition
of either Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material
impairment of the ability of either Company to perform under any Loan Document
and to avoid any Event of Default; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the
legality, 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Companies of any Loan
Document.

     "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, a division of Dun & Bradstreet
Corporation.
 
     "Notes" means the Bid Loan Notes.

     "Notice of Borrowing" means a notice in substantially the form of Exhibit
B. 

     "Notice of Conversion/Continuation" means a notice in substantially the
form of Exhibit C.

     "Obligations" means all advances, debts, liabilities, obligations,
covenants and duties arising under any Loan Document, owing by either or both of
the Companies to any Bank, the Agent, or any Indemnified Person, whether joint
or several, direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment),
absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising.

     "Offshore Rate Committed Loan" means any Committed Loan that bears interest
based on the LIBOR Rate.

     "Offshore Rate Loan" means any LIBOR Bid Loan or any Offshore Rate
Committed Loan.

     "Organization Documents" means, for any corporation, the certificate or
articles of incorporation, the bylaws, any certificate of determination or
instrument relating to the rights of preferred shareholders of such corporation,
any shareholder rights agreement, and all applicable resolutions of the board of
directors (or any committee thereof) of such corporation.

     "Other Taxes" means any present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any
other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies which arise from any
payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or registration of, or
otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Documents.

     "Participant" has the meaning specified in subsection 10.08(d).

     "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any Governmental
Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under ERISA.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
     "Pension Plan" means a pension plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA)
subject to Title IV of ERISA which either Company sponsors, maintains, or to
which it makes, is making, or is obligated to make contributions, or in the case
of a multiple employer plan (as described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA) has made
contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five (5) plan years.

     "Permitted Liens" has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.

     "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, business trust,
joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or
Governmental Authority.

     "Plan" means an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA)
which is subject to ERISA and which either of the Companies sponsors or
maintains or to which either of the Companies makes, is making, or is obligated
to make contributions and includes any Pension Plan.

     "Pricing Certificate" has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

     "Pro Rata Share" means, as to any Bank at any time, the percentage
equivalent (expressed as a decimal, rounded to the ninth decimal place) at such
time of such Bank's Commitment divided by the combined Commitments of all Banks.

     "Ratio" and "Rating" have the meanings given to them in the definition of
Applicable Margin.

     "Reference Banks" means BofA, The First National Bank of Chicago and Credit
Suisse First Boston.

     "Reportable Event" means, any of the events set forth in Section 4043(b) of
ERISA or the regulations thereunder, other than any such event for which the
30-day notice requirement under ERISA has been waived in regulations issued by
the PBGC.

     "Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, any law (statutory or
common), treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or of a
Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon the Person or
any of its property or to which the Person or any of its property is subject.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
     "Responsible Officer" means the chief executive officer or the president of
each Company, or any other officer having substantially the same authority and
responsibility; or, with respect to compliance with financial covenants, the
chief financial officer or the treasurer of each Company, or any other officer
having substantially the same authority and responsibility.

     "Revolving Termination Date" means the earlier to occur of:

          (a) March 16, 2003 and

          (b) the date on which the Commitments terminate in accordance with the
     provisions of this Agreement.

     "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental
Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

     "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of McGraw Hill
Companies, Inc.

     "Subsidiary" of a Person means any corporation, association, partnership,
joint venture or other business entity of which more than 50% of the voting
stock or other equity interests (in the case of Persons other than
corporations), is owned or controlled directly or indirectly by the Person, or
one or more of the Subsidiaries of the Person, or a combination thereof. Unless
the context otherwise clearly requires, references herein to a "Subsidiary"
refer to a Subsidiary of either of the Companies.

     "Syndication Agent" means Credit Suisse First Boston.

     "Taxes" means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts,
deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto,
excluding, in the case of each Bank and the Agent, such taxes (including income
taxes or franchise taxes) as are imposed on or measured by each Bank's net
income by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws
of which such Bank or the Agent, as the case may be, is organized or maintains a
lending office.

     "364 Day Credit Agreement" means that $150,000,000 364 Credit Agreement
dated March 16, 1998, as the same 

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
may be amended from time to time, among the Companies, the financial
institutions party thereto, and the Agents.

     "Total Capitalization" means the sum of Total Debt and Consolidated Net
Worth.

     "Total Debt" means all Indebtedness and all Contingent Obligations of St.
Jude and its consolidated Subsidiaries.

     "Type" has the meaning specified in the definition of "Committed Loan."

     "Unfunded Pension Liability" means the excess of a Plan's benefit
liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of that
Plan's assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding
the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for the applicable plan
year.

     "United States" and "U.S." each means the United States of America.

     "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" means any corporation in which (other than
directors' qualifying shares required by law) 100% of the capital stock of each
class having ordinary voting power, and 100% of the capital stock of every other
class, in each case, at the time as of which any determination is being made, is
owned, beneficially and of record, by either of the Companies, or by one or more
of the other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, or both.

     1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions.

     (a) Defined Terms. Unless otherwise specified herein or therein, all terms
defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any
certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto. The meaning of
defined terms shall be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of
the defined terms. Terms (including uncapitalized terms) not otherwise defined
herein and that are defined in the UCC shall have the meanings therein
described.

     (b) The Agreement. The words "hereof", "herein", "hereunder" and words of
similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; and subsection,
section, schedule and exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise
specified.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
     (c) Certain Common Terms.

          (i) The term "documents" includes any and all instruments, documents,
     agreements, certificates, indentures, notices and other writings, however
     evidenced.

          (ii) The term "including" is not limiting and means "including without
     limitation."

     (d) Performance; Time. Whenever any performance obligation hereunder shall
be stated to be due or required to be satisfied on a day other than a Business
Day, such performance shall be made or satisfied on the next succeeding Business
Day. In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later
specified date, the word "from" means "from and including"; the words "to" and
"until" each mean "to but excluding", and the word "through" means "to and
including." If any provision of this Agreement refers to any action taken or to
be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited from taking, such
provision shall be interpreted to encompass any and all means, direct or
indirect, of taking, or not taking, such action.

     (e) Contracts. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, references to
agreements and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all
subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent
such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of any
Loan Document.

     (f) Laws. References to any statute or regulation are to be construed as
including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending,
replacing, supplementing or interpreting the statute or regulation.

     (g) Captions. The captions and headings of this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this
Agreement.

     (h) Independence of Provisions. The parties acknowledge that this Agreement
and other Loan Documents may use several different limitations, tests or
measurements to regulate the same or similar matters, and that such limitations,
tests and measurements are cumulative and must each be performed, except as
expressly stated to the contrary in this Agreement.

     1.03 Accounting Principles.

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
     (a) Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, all accounting terms not
expressly defined herein shall be construed, and all financial computations
required under this Agreement shall be made, in accordance with GAAP,
consistently applied.

     (b) References herein to "fiscal year" and "fiscal quarter" refer to such
fiscal periods of the Companies.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                   THE CREDIT
                                   ----------

     2.01 The Revolving Credit. Each Bank severally agrees, on the terms and
conditions set forth herein, to make Loans to either of the Companies, jointly
and severally, from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the
Closing Date to the Revolving Termination Date, in an aggregate amount not to
exceed at any time outstanding the amount set forth on Schedule 2.01 for such
Bank (such amount as the same may be increased under Section 2.09 or reduced
under Section 2.07 or as a result of one or more assignments under Section
10.08, the Bank's "Commitment"); provided, however, that, after giving effect to
any Committed Borrowing, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding
Committed Loans, together with the aggregate principal amount of all Bid Loans
outstanding, shall not at any time exceed the combined Commitments. Within the
limits of each Bank's Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions
hereof, the Companies, jointly and severally, may borrow under this Section
2.01, prepay under Section 2.08 and reborrow under this Section 2.01.

     2.02 Loan Accounts; Bid Loan Notes.

     (a) The Committed Loans made by each Bank shall be evidenced by one or more
loan accounts or records maintained by such Bank in the ordinary course of
business. The loan accounts or records maintained by the Agent and each Bank
shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the
Banks to either of the Companies and the interest and payments thereon. The
Committed Loans made by each Bank may also be evidenced by a promissory note
executed by each of the Companies (a "Committed Loan Note") (each such Note to
be substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1.) Each Bank may endorse on the
schedule annexed to its Note, the date, amount and maturity of each Committed
Loan made by it and the amount of each payment of principal made by each of the
Companies with respect thereto. Each such Bank is irrevocably authorized to
endorse its Note; provided, however, any failure so to record or any error in
doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise 

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
affect the joint and several obligation of either of the Companies hereunder to
pay any amount owing with respect to the Loans.

     (b) The Bid Loans made by any Bank shall be evidenced by a promissory note
executed by each of the Companies (a "Bid Loan Note") (each such Note to be
substantially in the form of Exhibit F). Each Bank shall endorse on the schedule
annexed to its Note the date, amount and maturity of each Loan made by it and
the amount of each payment of principal made by each of the Companies with
respect thereto. Each such Bank is irrevocably authorized by each of the
Companies to endorse its Note and each Bank's record shall be conclusive absent
manifest error; provided, however, that the failure of a Bank to make, or an
error in making, a notation thereon with respect to any Loan shall not limit or
otherwise affect the joint and several obligations of the Companies hereunder or
under any such Note to such Bank.

     2.03 Procedure for Committed Borrowing.

     (a) Each Committed Borrowing shall be made upon a Company's irrevocable
written notice delivered to the Agent in the form of a Notice of Borrowing
(which notice must be received by the Agent prior to 11:00 a.m. (Chicago time):
(i) three Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of
Offshore Rate Loans; and (ii) on the requested Borrowing Date, in the case of
Base Rate Loans, specifying:

          (A) whether the borrowing is for St. Jude or Pacesetter;

          (B) the amount of the Committed Borrowing, which shall be in an
     aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000 in
     excess thereof;

          (C) the requested Borrowing Date, which shall be a Business Day;

          (D) the Type of Loans comprising the Committed Borrowing; and

          (E) the duration of the Interest Period applicable to such Committed
     Loans included in such notice. If the Notice of Borrowing fails to specify
     the duration of the Interest Period for any Committed Borrowing comprised
     of Offshore Rate Loans, such Interest Period shall be one month.

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
provided, however; it is understood that the first Committed Borrowing shall be
made at least three (3) Business Days after the Closing Date if such Committed
Borrowing is an Offshore   Rate Committed Loan unless St. Jude delivers a
funding indemnification letter in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent
and the Banks.

     (b) The Agent will promptly notify each Bank of its receipt of any Notice
of Borrowing and of the amount of such Bank's Pro Rata Share of that Committed
Borrowing.

     (c) Each Bank will make the amount of its Pro Rata Share of each Committed
Borrowing available to the Agent for the account of the Company specified in
notice of borrowing at the Agent's Payment Office by 1:00 p.m. (Chicago time) on
the Borrowing Date requested by such Company in funds immediately available to
the Agent. Any such amount which is received by the Agent later than 1:00 p.m.
(Chicago time) shall be deemed to have been received on the immediately
succeeding Business Day. The proceeds of all such Committed Loans will then be
made available to such Company by the Agent by wire transfer in accordance with
written instructions provided to the Agent by such Company of like funds as
received by the Agent.

     (d) After giving effect to any Committed Borrowing, there may not be more
than ten (10) different Interest Periods in effect in respect of all Committed
Loans and Bid Loans together then outstanding.

     2.04 Conversion and Continuation Elections for Committed Borrowings.

     (a) Either Company may, upon irrevocable written notice to the Agent in
accordance with subsection 2.04(b):

          (i) elect, as of any Business Day, in the case of Base Rate Committed
     Loans, or as of the last day of the applicable Interest Period, in the case
     of any other Type of Committed Loans, to convert any such Committed Loans
     (or any part thereof in an amount not less than $5,000,000, or that is in
     an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof) into Committed Loans
     of any other Type; or

          (ii) elect, as of the last day of the applicable Interest Period, to
     continue any Committed Loans having Interest Periods expiring on such day
     (or any part thereof in an amount not less than $5,000,000, or that is in
     an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof);

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
provided, that if at any time the aggregate amount of Offshore Rate Committed
Loans in respect of any Committed Borrowing is reduced, by payment, prepayment,
or conversion of part thereof to be less than $1,000,000, such Offshore Rate
Committed Loans shall automatically convert into Base Rate Committed Loans, and
on and after such date the right of the such Company to continue such Committed
Loans as, and convert such Committed Loans into, Offshore Rate Committed Loans
shall terminate.

     (b) Either of the Companies shall deliver a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation to be received by the Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (
Chicago time) at least (i) three Business Days in advance of the
Conversion/Continuation Date, if the Committed Loans are to be converted into or
continued as Offshore Rate Committed Loans; and (ii) prior to 11:00 a.m. (
Chicago time) on the Conversion/Continuation Date, if the Loans are to be
converted into Base Rate Committed Loans, specifying:

          (A) whether the Conversion/Continuation is for St. Jude or Pacesetter;

          (B) the proposed Conversion/Continuation Date;

          (C) the aggregate amount of Committed Loans to be converted or
     renewed;

          (D) the Type of Committed Loans resulting from the proposed conversion
     or continuation; and

          (E) other than in the case of conversions into Base Rate Committed
     Loans, the duration of the requested Interest Period.

     (c) If upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to Offshore
Rate Committed Loans, such Company has failed to select a new Interest Period to
be applicable to such Loans in accordance with Section 2.04(b), or if any
Default or Event of Default then exists, such Company shall be deemed to have
elected to convert such Offshore Rate Committed Loans into Base Rate Committed
Loans effective as of the expiration date of such Interest Period.

     (d) The Agent will promptly notify each Bank of its receipt of a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, or, if no timely notice is provided by such Company,
the Agent will promptly notify each Bank of the details of any automatic
conversion.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
All conversions and continuations shall be made ratably according to the
respective outstanding principal amounts of the Committed Loans with respect to
which the notice was given held by each Bank.

     (e) Unless the Majority Banks otherwise agree, during the existence of a
Default or Event of Default, the Companies may not elect to have a Committed
Loan be made as, converted into or continued as, an Offshore Rate Committed
Loan.

     (f) After giving effect to any conversion or continuation of Committed
Loans, there may not be more than ten (10) different Interest Periods in effect
in respect of all Committed Loans and Bid Loans together then outstanding.

     2.05 Bid Borrowings. In addition to Committed Borrowings, each Bank
severally agrees that either of the Companies may, as set forth in Section 2.06,
from time to time request the Banks prior to the Revolving Termination Date to
submit offers to make Bid Loans to such Company; provided, however, that the
Banks may, but shall have no obligation to, submit such offers and such Company
may, but shall have no obligation to, accept any such offers; and provided,
further, that at no time shall (a) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of
all Bid Loans made by all Banks, plus the outstanding aggregate principal amount
of all Committed Loans made by all Banks exceed the combined Commitments; or (b)
the number of Interest Periods for Bid Loans then outstanding plus the number of
Interest Periods for Committed Loans then outstanding exceeds ten (10).

     2.06 Procedure for Bid Borrowings.

     (a) When St. Jude and/or Pacesetter wishes to request the Banks to submit
offers to make Bid Loans hereunder, it shall transmit to the Agent and each Bank
by telephone call followed promptly by facsimile transmission a notice in
substantially the form of Exhibit D (a "Competitive Bid Request") so as to be
received no later than 10:30 a.m. (Chicago time) (x) four Business Days prior to
the date of a proposed Bid Borrowing in the case of a LIBOR Auction, or (y) one
Business Day prior to the date of a proposed Bid Borrowing in the case of an
Absolute Rate Auction, specifying:

          (i) the date of such Bid Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

          (ii) the aggregate amount of such Bid Borrowing, which shall be a
     minimum amount of $5,000,000 or in multiples of $1,000,000 in excess
     thereof;

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
          (iii) whether the Competitive Bids requested are to be for LIBOR Bid
     Loans or Absolute Rate Bid Loans or both; and

          (iv) the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto, subject
     to the provisions of the definition of "Interest Period" herein.

Subject to subsection 2.06(c), the Companies, together, may not request
Competitive Bids for more than three Interest Periods in a single Competitive
Bid Request and may not request Competitive Bids more than once in any period of
five Business Days.

     (b) Upon receipt of a Competitive Bid Request, the Agent will promptly send
to the Banks by facsimile transmission or telex a copy of such Competitive Bid
Request.

          (c) (i) Each Bank may at its discretion submit a Competitive Bid
     containing an offer or offers to make Bid Loans in response to any
     Competitive Bid Request. Each Competitive Bid must comply with the
     requirements of this subsection 2.06(c) and must be submitted to the
     Company by facsimile transmission at the Company's office for notices set
     forth on the signature pages hereto not later than (1) 8:30 a.m. (Chicago
     time) three Business Days prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, in the
     case of a LIBOR Auction or (2) 8:30 a.m. (Chicago time) on the proposed
     date of Borrowing, in the case of an Absolute Rate Auction.

          (ii) Each Competitive Bid shall be in substantially the form of
     Exhibit E, specifying therein:

               (A) the proposed date of Borrowing;

               (B) the principal amount of each Bid Loan for which such
          Competitive Bid is being made, which principal amount (x) may be equal
          to, greater than or less than the Commitment of the quoting Bank, (y)
          must be $5,000,000 or in multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof,
          and (z) may not exceed the principal amount of Bid Loans for which
          Competitive Bids were requested;

               (C) in case either of the Companies elects a LIBOR Auction, the
          margin above or below LIBOR (the "LIBOR Bid Margin") offered for each
          such Bid Loan, expressed as a percentage (expressed 

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
          in multiples of 1/1000th of one basis point) to be added to or
          subtracted from the applicable LIBOR and the Interest Period
          applicable thereto;

               (D) in case either of the Companies elects an Absolute Rate
          Auction, the rate of interest per annum (expressed in multiples of
          1000th of one basis point) (the "Absolute Rate") offered for each such
          Bid Loan; and

               (E) the identity of the quoting Bank.

     A Competitive Bid may contain up to three separate offers by the quoting
     Bank with respect to each Interest Period specified in the related
     Invitation for Competitive Bids. The Companies shall pay to the Agent a bid
     auction fee of $650.00 for each bid auction if the number of Banks party to
     this Agreement is greater than twelve. If the number of Banks party to this
     Agreement is twelve or less, then the Companies shall pay to the Agent a
     bid auction fee of $450 for each bid auction.

          (iii) Any Competitive Bid shall be disregarded if it:

               (A) is not substantially in conformity with Exhibit E or does not
          specify all of the information required by subsection (c)(ii) of this
          Section;

               (B) contains qualifying, conditional or similar language;

               (C) proposes terms other than or in addition to those set forth
          in the applicable Invitation for Competitive Bids; or

               (D) arrives after the time set forth in subsection (c)(i).

     (d) Not later than 9:30 a.m. (Chicago time) three Business Days prior to
the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of a LIBOR Auction, or 9:30 a.m.
(Chicago time) on the proposed date of Borrowing, in the case of an Absolute
Rate Auction, the appropriate Company shall notify the Agent and the appropriate
Bank of its acceptance or non-acceptance of the offers so made to it pursuant to
subsection 2.06(c). Such Company shall be under no obligation to accept any
offer and may 

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
choose to reject all offers. In the case of acceptance, such notice shall
specify the aggregate principal amount of offers for each Interest Period that
is accepted. Such Company may accept any Competitive Bid in whole or in part;
provided that:

          (i) the aggregate principal amount of each Bid Borrowing may not
     exceed the applicable amount set forth in the related Competitive Bid
     Request;

          (ii) the principal amount of each Bid Borrowing must be $5,000,000 or
     in any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof;

          (iii) acceptance of offers may only be made on the basis of ascending
     LIBOR Bid Margins or Absolute Rates within each Interest Period, as the
     case may be; and

          (iv) neither Company may accept any offer that is described in
     subsection 2.06(c)(iii) or that otherwise fails to comply with the
     requirements of this Agreement.

     (e) If offers are made by two or more Banks with the same LIBOR Bid Margins
or Absolute Rates, as the case may be, for a greater aggregate principal amount
than the amount in respect of which such offers are accepted for the related
Interest Period, the principal amount of Bid Loans in respect of which such
offers are accepted shall be allocated by the Company among such Banks as nearly
as possible (in such multiples, not less than $1,000,000) in proportion to the
aggregate principal amounts of such offers. Determination by the Company of the
amounts of Bid Loans shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

          (f) (i) The Company will promptly notify each Bank having submitted a
     Competitive Bid if its offer has been accepted and, if its offer has been
     accepted, of the amount of the Bid Loan or Bid Loans to be made by it on
     the date of the Bid Borrowing.

          (ii) Each Bank, which has received notice pursuant to subsection
     2.06(f)(i) that its Competitive Bid has been accepted, shall make the
     amounts of such Bid Loans available to the Company by 1:00 p.m. (Chicago
     time) in the case of Absolute Rate Bid Loans, and by 1:00 p.m. (Chicago
     time) in the case of LIBOR Bid Loans, on such date of Bid Borrowing, in
     funds immediately available to the Company.

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
          (iii) Promptly following each Bid Borrowing, the Company shall notify
     the Agent and each Bank of the ranges of bids submitted and the highest and
     lowest Bids accepted for each Interest Period requested by either of the
     Companies and the aggregate amount borrowed pursuant to such Bid Borrowing.

     (g) If, on or prior to the proposed date of Borrowing, the Commitments have
not been terminated and if, on such proposed date of Borrowing all applicable
conditions to funding referenced in Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 4.02 hereof are
satisfied, the Bank or Banks whose offers either of the Companies has accepted
will fund each Bid Loan so accepted. Nothing in this Section 2.06 shall be
construed as a right of first offer in favor of the Banks or to otherwise limit
the ability of either of the Companies to request and accept credit facilities
from any Person (including any of the Banks), provided that no Default or Event
of Default would otherwise arise or exist as a result of either of the Companies
executing, delivering or performing under such credit facilities.

     2.07 Voluntary Termination or Reduction of Commitments. The Companies may,
upon not less than five Business Days' prior notice to the Agent, terminate the
Commitments, or permanently reduce the Commitments by an aggregate minimum
amount of $5,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; provided,
that no such termination or reduction shall be permitted if, after giving effect
thereto and to any prepayments of Committed Loans made on the effective date
thereof, the then-outstanding principal amount of the Loans would exceed the
amount of the combined Commitments then in effect. Once reduced in accordance
with this Section, the Commitments may not be increased except as provided in
Section 2.09. Any reduction of the Commitments shall be applied to each Bank
according to its Pro Rata Share. All accrued facility fees to, but not including
the effective date of any reduction or termination of Commitments, shall be paid
on the effective date of such reduction or termination.

     2.08 Optional Prepayments. (a) Subject to Section 3.04, the Companies may,
at any time or from time to time, upon not less than (i) three Business Days'
irrevocable notice to the Agent, in the case of Offshore Rate Committed Loans,
or (ii) one Business Day's irrevocable notice to the Agent, in the case of Base
Rate Committed Loans, ratably prepay Committed Loans in whole or in part, in
minimum amounts of $5,000,000 or any multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.
Such notice of prepayment shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
and the Type(s) of Committed Loans to be prepaid. The Agent will promptly notify
each Bank of its receipt of any such notice, and of such Bank's Pro Rata Share
of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Companies, the Companies
shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall
be due and payable on the date specified therein, together with accrued interest
to each such date on the amount prepaid and any amounts required pursuant to
Section 3.04.

     (b) Bid Loans may not be voluntarily prepaid.

     2.09 Optional Increase in Commitments. At any time the Companies may
request the Banks by written notice to the Agent, to increase the aggregate
Commitments. The Agent shall transmit such request to each Bank within one
Business Day. Each Bank will have the option, in its sole discretion, to
subscribe for its proportionate share of such requested increase, according to
its then existing Pro Rata Share. The Banks shall respond in writing to the
Companies' request through the Agent within fifteen (15) Business Days by
submitting a supplement in the form of Exhibit G. Any Bank not responding within
fifteen (15) Business Days shall be deemed to have declined the request. At the
option of the Companies, any part of the increase not so subscribed may be
assumed, within ten (10) Business Days of the Banks' response, by one or more
existing Banks or assumed by other banks meeting the qualifications of an
Eligible Assignee acceptable to the Agent and the Companies, which consent of
the Agent shall not be unreasonably withheld, upon submission of a supplement in
the form of Exhibit H-1, in the case of an existing Bank, or Exhibit H-2, in the
case of a new party to this Agreement, and Schedule 2.01 shall be amended
accordingly. If Commitments are reallocated as a result of a non-pro rata
subscription, the Loans shall be prepaid to the extent outstandings exceed each
Bank's reallocated Commitment (subject, without limitation, to Section 3.04(d)
hereof).

     2.10 Repayment. The Companies shall repay to the Banks in full on the
Revolving Termination Date the aggregate principal amount of Loans outstanding
on such date. The Companies shall repay each Offshore Rate Committed Loan and
each Bid Loan on the last day of the relevant Interest Period.

     2.11 Interest.

     (a) Each Committed Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal
amount thereof from the applicable Borrowing Date at a rate per annum equal to
the LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin or the Base Rate, as the case may be
(and 

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
subject to either Company's right to convert to other Types of Loans under
Section 2.04) . Each Bid Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal
amount thereof from the relevant Borrowing Date at a rate per annum equal to the
LIBOR Rate plus (or minus) the LIBOR Bid Margin, or at the Absolute Rate, as the
case may be.

     (b) Interest on each Loan shall be paid in arrears on each Interest Payment
Date. Interest shall also be paid on the date of any prepayment of Committed
Loans under Section 2.08 for the portion of the Loans so prepaid and upon
payment (including prepayment) in full thereof and, during the existence of any
Event of Default, interest shall be paid on demand of the Agent at the request
or with the consent of the Majority Banks.

     (c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Section, while any Event of
Default exists or after acceleration, the Companies shall pay interest (after as
well as before entry of judgment thereon to the extent permitted by law) on the
principal amount of all outstanding Obligations, at a rate per annum which is
determined by adding 2% per annum to the Applicable Margin then in effect for
such Loans and, in the case of Obligations not subject to an Applicable Margin,
at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus 2%; provided, however, that, on
and after the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to any Offshore Rate
Loan outstanding on the date of occurrence of such Event of Default or
acceleration, the principal amount of such Loan shall, during the continuation
of such Event of Default or after acceleration, bear interest at a rate per
annum equal to the Base Rate plus 2%.

     (d) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of the
Companies to any Bank hereunder shall be subject to the limitation that payments
of interest shall not be required for any period for which interest is computed
hereunder, to the extent (but only to the extent) that contracting for or
receiving such payment by such Bank would be contrary to the provisions of any
law applicable to such Bank limiting the highest rate of interest that may be
lawfully contracted for, charged or received by such Bank, and in such event the
Companies shall pay such Bank interest at the highest rate permitted by
applicable law.

     2.12 Fees.

     (a) Arrangement, Agency Fees and Other Fees. The Companies shall pay an
arrangement fee to the Arranger for the Arranger's own account, and shall pay
agency (including bid agency) fees and other sums to the Agent for the Agent's
own 

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
account, as required by the letter agreement ("Fee Letter") between St. Jude and
the Arranger and Agent dated February 11, 1998.

     (b) Facility Fees. The Companies shall pay to the Agent for the account of
each Bank a facility fee on the entire portion of such Bank's Commitment
(whether utilized or unutilized), computed on a quarterly basis in arrears on
the last Business Day of each calendar quarter as set forth in the appropriate
"Facility Fee" section of either the Ratio or Rating grid as determined and set
forth in the definition of "Applicable Margin". Such facility fee shall accrue
from the Closing Date to the Revolving Termination Date and shall be due and
payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter
(subject to Section 2.13(e)) commencing on March 31, 1998 through the Revolving
Termination Date, with the final payment to be made on the Revolving Termination
Date; provided that, in connection with any reduction or termination of
Commitments under Section 2.07, the accrued facility fee calculated for the
period ending on such date shall also be paid on the date of such reduction or
termination, with the following quarterly payment being calculated on the basis
of the period from such reduction or termination date to such quarterly payment
date. The facility fees provided in this subsection shall accrue at all times
after the above-mentioned commencement date, including at any time during which
one or more conditions in Article IV are not met.

     2.13 Computation of Fees and Interest.

     (a) All computations of interest for Base Rate Committed Loans when the
Base Rate is determined by BofA's "reference rate" shall be made on the basis of
a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All
other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day
year and actual days elapsed (which results in more interest being paid than if
computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest and fees shall accrue during
each period during which interest or such fees are computed from the first day
thereof to the last day thereof.

     (b) Each determination of an interest rate by the Agent shall be conclusive
and binding on the Companies and the Banks in the absence of manifest error. The
Agent will, at the request of the Companies or any Bank, deliver to the
Companies or the Bank, as the case may be, a statement showing the quotations
used by the Agent in determining any interest rate.

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
     (c) If any Reference Bank's Commitment terminates (other than on
termination of all the Commitments), or for any reason whatsoever the Reference
Bank ceases to be a Bank hereunder, that Reference Bank shall thereupon cease to
be a Reference Bank, and the LIBOR Rate shall be determined on the basis of the
rates as notified by the remaining Reference Banks.

     (d) Each Reference Bank shall use its best efforts to furnish quotations of
rates to the Agent as contemplated hereby. If any of the Reference Banks fails
to supply such rates to the Agent upon its request, the rate of interest shall
be determined on the basis of the quotations of the remaining Reference Bank(s).

     (e) With respect to Facility Fees payable hereunder on the last Business
Day of the first calendar quarter of each year, the Companies may extend the
payment date for such Facility Fees up to 5 Business Days, provided that at
least 10 Business Days prior to such payment date the Companies give the Agent
written notice of such extension and provided that Facility Fees shall continue
to accrue during such extended period.

     2.14 Payments by the Companies.

     (a) All payments to be made by either of the Companies shall be made
without set-off, recoupment or counterclaim. Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, all payments by either of the Companies shall be made to the
Agent for the account of the Banks at the Agent's Payment Office, and shall be
made in dollars and in immediately available funds, no later than 1:00 p.m. (
Chicago time) on the date specified herein. The Agent will promptly distribute
to each Bank its Pro Rata Share (or other applicable share as expressly provided
herein) of such payment in like funds as received. Any payment received by the
Agent later than 1:00 p.m. ( Chicago time) shall be deemed to have been received
on the following Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue
to accrue.

     (b) Subject to the provisions set forth in the definition of "Interest
Period" herein, whenever any payment is due on a day other than a Business Day,
such payment shall be made on the following Business Day, and such extension of
time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest or fees, as
the case may be.

     (c) Unless the Agent receives notice from the Companies prior to the date
on which any payment is due to the Banks that the Companies will not make such
payment in full as 

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
and when required, the Agent may assume that the Companies have made such
payment in full to the Agent on such date in immediately available funds and the
Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such assumption,
distribute to each Bank on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due
such Bank. If and to the extent the Companies have not made such payment in full
to the Agent, each Bank shall repay to the Agent on demand such amount
distributed to such Bank, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds
Rate for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such Bank until
the date repaid.

     2.15 Payments by the Banks to the Agent.

     (a) Unless the Agent receives notice from a Bank on or prior to the Closing
Date or, with respect to any Borrowing after the Closing Date, prior to 1:00
p.m. ( Chicago time) on the date of such Borrowing, that such Bank will not make
available as and when required hereunder to the Agent for the account of such
Company the amount of that Bank's Borrowing, the Agent may assume that each Bank
has made such amount available to the Agent in immediately available funds on
the Borrowing Date and the Agent may (but shall not be so required), in reliance
upon such assumption, make available to such Company on such date a
corresponding amount. If and to the extent any Bank shall not have made its full
amount available to the Agent in immediately available funds and the Agent in
such circumstances has made available to such Company such amount, that Bank
shall on the Business Day following such Borrowing Date make such amount
available to the Agent, together with interest at the Federal Funds Rate for
each day during such period. A notice of the Agent submitted to any Bank with
respect to amounts owing under this subsection (a) shall be conclusive, absent
manifest error. If such amount is so made available, such payment to the Agent
shall constitute such Bank's Loan on the date of Borrowing for all purposes of
this Agreement. If such amount is not made available to the Agent on the
Business Day following the Borrowing Date, the Agent will notify such Company of
such failure to fund and, upon demand by the Agent, such Company shall pay such
amount to the Agent for the Agent's account, together with interest thereon for
each day elapsed since the date of such Borrowing, at a rate per annum equal to
the interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing.

     (b) The failure of any Bank to make any Committed Loan on any Borrowing
Date shall not relieve any other Bank of any obligation hereunder to make a
Committed Loan on such Borrowing 

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
Date, but no Bank shall be responsible for the failure of any other Bank to make
the Committed Loan to be made by such other Bank on any Borrowing Date.

     2.16 Sharing of Payments, Etc. If, other than as expressly provided
elsewhere herein, any Bank shall obtain on account of the Committed Loans made
by it any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any
right of set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its Pro Rata Share, such Bank shall
immediately (a) notify the Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase from the other
Banks such participations in the Committed Loans made by them as shall be
necessary to cause such purchasing Bank to share the excess payment pro rata
with each of them; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess
payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Bank, such purchase shall to
that extent be rescinded and each other Bank shall repay to the purchasing Bank
the purchase price paid therefor, together with an amount equal to such paying
Bank's ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such
paying Bank's required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the
purchasing Bank) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the
purchasing Bank in respect of the total amount so recovered. The Companies agree
that any Bank so purchasing a participation from another Bank may, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including
the right of set-off, but subject to Section 10.09) with respect to such
participation as fully as if such Bank were the direct creditor of the Companies
in the amount of such participation. The Agent will keep records (which shall be
conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error) of participations
purchased under this Section and will in each case notify the Banks following
any such purchases or repayments. Any Bank having outstanding both Committed
Loans and Bid Loans at any time a right of set-off is exercised by such Bank
shall apply the proceeds of such set-off first to such Bank's Committed Loans,
until its Committed Loans are reduced to zero, and thereafter to its Bid Loans.

                                  ARTICLE III
                     TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

     3.01 Taxes. (a) Any and all payments by the Companies to each Bank or the
Agent under this Agreement and any other Loan Document shall be made free and
clear of, and without deduction or withholding for any Taxes. In addition, the
Companies shall pay all Other Taxes.

     (b) The Companies agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Bank and the
Agent for the full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes (including any Taxes or Other
Taxes imposed by any

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section) paid by the Bank or the
Agent and any liability (including penalties, interest, additions to tax and
expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto. Payment under this
indemnification shall be made within 30 days after the date the Bank or the
Agent makes written demand therefor.

     (c) If the Companies shall be required by law to deduct or withhold any
Taxes or Other Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder to any Bank
or the Agent, then:

          (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after
     making all required deductions and withholdings (including deductions and
     withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) such
     Bank or the Agent, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum
     it would have received had no such deductions or withholdings been made;

          (ii) the Companies shall make such deductions and withholdings;

          (iii) the Companies shall pay the full amount deducted or withheld to
     the relevant taxing authority or other authority in accordance with
     applicable law; and

          (iv) the Companies shall also pay to each Bank or the Agent for the
     account of such Bank, at the time interest is paid, all additional amounts
     which the respective Bank specifies as necessary to preserve the after-tax
     yield the Bank would have received if such Taxes or Other Taxes had not
     been imposed.

     (d) Within 30 days after the date of any payment by the Companies of Taxes
or Other Taxes, the Companies shall furnish the Agent the original or a
certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof, or other evidence of
payment satisfactory to the Agent.

     (e) If the Companies are required to pay additional amounts to any Bank or
the Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, then such Bank shall use
reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and regulatory restrictions) to change
the jurisdiction of its Lending Office so as to eliminate any such additional
payment by the Companies which may thereafter accrue, if such change in the
reasonable judgment of such Bank is not otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank.
Such Bank also agrees to use its best efforts to promptly advise the Agent and

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
the Companies if such additional amounts are required to be paid under
subsection (c).


     3.02 Illegality.

     (a) If any Bank determines that the introduction of any Requirement of Law,
or any change in any Requirement of Law, or in the interpretation or
administration of any Requirement of Law, has made it unlawful, or that any
central bank or other Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful,
for any Bank or its applicable Lending Office to make Offshore Rate Loans, then,
on notice thereof by the Bank to the Companies through the Agent, any obligation
of that Bank to make Offshore Rate Loans (including in respect of any LIBOR Bid
Loan as to which the Companies have accepted such Bank's Competitive Bid, but as
to which the Borrowing Date has not arrived) shall be suspended until the Bank
notifies the Agent and the Companies that the circumstances giving rise to such
determination no longer exist.

     (b) If a Bank determines that it is unlawful to maintain any Offshore Rate
Loan, the Companies shall, upon its receipt of notice of such fact and demand
from such Bank (with a copy to the Agent), prepay in full such Offshore Rate
Loans of that Bank then outstanding, together with interest accrued thereon and
amounts required under Section 3.04, either on the last day of the Interest
Period thereof, if the Bank may lawfully continue to maintain such Offshore Rate
Loans to such day, or immediately, if the Bank may not lawfully continue to
maintain such Offshore Rate Loan. If the Companies are required to so prepay any
Offshore Rate Committed Loan, then concurrently with such prepayment, the
Companies shall borrow from the affected Bank, in the amount of such repayment,
a Base Rate Committed Loan.

     (c) If the obligation of any Bank to make or maintain Offshore Rate
Committed Loans has been so terminated or suspended, the Companies may elect, by
giving notice to the Bank through the Agent, that all Loans which would
otherwise be made by the Bank as Offshore Rate Committed Loans shall be instead
Base Rate Committed Loans.

     (d) Before giving any notice to the Agent under this Section, the affected
Bank shall designate a different Lending Office with respect to its Offshore
Rate Loans if such designation will avoid the need for giving such notice or
making 

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
such demand and will not, in the reasonable judgment of the Bank, be illegal or
otherwise disadvantageous to the Bank.

     3.03 Increased Costs and Reduction of Return.

     (a) If any Bank determines that, due to either (i) the introduction of or
any change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation or (ii) the
compliance by that Bank with any guideline or request from any central bank or
other Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law), there
shall be any increase in the cost to such Bank of agreeing to make or making,
funding or maintaining any Offshore Rate Loans, then the Companies shall be
liable for, and shall from time to time, upon demand (with a copy of such demand
to be sent to the Agent), pay to the Agent for the account of such Bank,
additional amounts as are sufficient to compensate such Bank for such increased
costs.

     (b) If any Bank shall have determined that (i) the introduction of any
Capital Adequacy Regulation, (ii) any change in any Capital Adequacy Regulation,
(iii) any change in the interpretation or administration of any Capital Adequacy
Regulation by any central bank or other Governmental Authority charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof, or (iv) compliance by the Bank (or its
Lending Office) or any corporation controlling the Bank with any Capital
Adequacy Regulation, affects or would affect the amount of capital required or
expected to be maintained by the Bank or any corporation controlling the Bank
and (taking into consideration such Bank's or such corporation's policies with
respect to capital adequacy and such Bank's desired return on capital)
determines that the amount of such capital is increased as a consequence of its
Commitment, loans, credits or obligations under this Agreement, then, upon
demand of such Bank to the Companies through the Agent, the Companies shall pay
to the Bank, from time to time as specified by the Bank, additional amounts
sufficient to compensate the Bank for such increase.

     (c) Such Bank also agrees to use its best efforts to promptly advise the
Agent and the Companies if such additional amounts are required to be paid under
this Section 3.03.

     3.04 Funding Losses. The Companies shall reimburse each Bank and hold each
Bank harmless from any loss or expense which the Bank may sustain or incur as a
consequence of:

     (a) the failure of the Companies to make on a timely basis any payment of
principal of any Offshore Rate Loan;

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
     (b) the failure of either of the Companies to borrow, continue or convert a
Committed Loan after either of the Companies have given (or is deemed to have
given) a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/ Continuation;

     (c) the failure of the Companies to make any prepayment of any Committed
Loan in accordance with any notice delivered under Section 2.08;

     (d) the prepayment (including pursuant to Section 2.08 or 2.09) or other
payment (including after acceleration thereof) of any Offshore Rate Loan or
Absolute Rate Bid Loan on a day that is not the last day of the relevant
Interest Period; or

     (e) the automatic conversion under Section 2.04 of any Offshore Rate
Committed Loan to a Base Rate Committed Loan on a day that is not the last day
of the relevant Interest Period;

including any such loss or expense arising from the liquidation or re-employment
of funds obtained by it to maintain its Offshore Rate Loans or from fees payable
to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained.  For purposes of
calculating amounts payable by the Companies to the Banks under this Section and
under subsection 3.03(a), each Offshore Rate Committed Loan made by a Bank (and
each related reserve, special deposit or similar requirement) shall be
conclusively deemed to have been funded at the LIBOR Rate used in determining
the Offshore Rate for such Offshore Rate Loan by a matching deposit or other
borrowing in the interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a
comparable period, whether or not such Offshore Rate Loan is in fact so funded.

     3.05 Inability to Determine Rates. If any two Reference Banks determine
that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining
the LIBOR Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed
Offshore Rate Loan, or that the LIBOR Rate applicable pursuant to subsection
2.11(a) for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Offshore
Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Banks of
funding such Loan, the Agent will promptly so notify the Companies and each
Bank. Thereafter, the obligation of the Banks to make or maintain Offshore Rate
Loans hereunder shall be suspended until the Agent upon the instruction of the
Majority Banks revokes such notice in writing. Upon receipt of such notice, the
Companies may revoke any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
Conversion/Continuation then submitted by it. If the Companies do not revoke
such Notice, the Banks shall make, convert or continue the Committed Loans, as
proposed by the Companies, in

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
the amount specified in the applicable notice submitted by the Companies, but
such Committed Loans shall be made, converted or continued as Base Rate
Committed Loans instead of Offshore Rate Committed Loans.

     3.06 Reserves on Offshore Rate Committed Loans. The Companies shall pay to
each Bank, as long as such Bank shall be required under regulations of the FRB
to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or
including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as "Eurocurrency
liabilities"), additional costs on the unpaid principal amount of each Offshore
Rate Committed Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such
Committed Loan by the Bank (as determined by the Bank in good faith, payable on
each date on which interest is payable on such Committed Loan, provided the
Companies shall have received at least 15 days' prior written notice (with a
copy to the Agent) of such additional interest from the Bank. If a Bank fails to
give notice 15 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional
interest shall be payable 15 days from receipt of such notice.

     3.07 Certificates of Banks. Any Bank claiming reimbursement or compensation
under this Article III shall deliver to the Companies (with a copy to the Agent)
a certificate setting forth in reasonable detail the amount payable to the Bank
hereunder and such certificate shall be rebuttable presumptive evidence of the
amount payable to such Bank.

     3.08 Substitution of Banks. Upon the receipt by the Companies from any Bank
(an "Affected Bank") of a claim for compensation under Section 3.03, the
Companies may: (i) request the Affected Bank (who may, but shall not be
obligated to, respond) to identify a replacement bank or financial institution
satisfactory to the Companies and meeting the qualifications of an Eligible
Assignee to acquire and assume all or a ratable part of all of such Affected
Bank's Loans and Commitment (a "Replacement Bank"); (ii) request one more of the
other Banks to acquire and assume all or part of such Affected Bank's Loans and
Commitment (but no other Bank shall be required to do so); or (iii) designate a
Replacement Bank. Any such designation of a Replacement Bank under clause (i) or
(iii) shall be subject to the prior written consent of the Agent (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld). Any transfer arising under this Section
3.08 shall comply with the requirements of Section 10.08.

     3.09 Survival. The agreements and obligations of the Companies in this
Article III shall survive the payment of all other Obligations.

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE IV
                              CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

     4.01 Conditions of Initial Loans. The obligation of each Bank to make its
initial Committed Loan hereunder, and to receive the initial Competitive Bid
Request, is subject to the condition that the Agent shall have received on or
before the Closing Date all of the following, in form and substance satisfactory
to the Agent and each Bank, and in sufficient copies for each Bank:

     (a) Credit Agreement; Notes. This Agreement (and a Bid Loan Note for each
Bank) properly executed;

     (b) Resolutions; Incumbency.

          (i) Copies of the resolutions of the board of directors of each of the
     Companies authorizing the transactions contemplated hereby, certified as of
     the Closing Date by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such
     Company; and

          (ii) A certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each of
     the Companies certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of
     each of the Companies authorized to execute, deliver and perform, this
     Agreement, and all other Loan Documents to be delivered by it hereunder;

     (c) Organization Documents; Good Standing. Each of the following documents:

          (i) the articles or certificate of incorporation and the bylaws of
     each of the Companies as in effect on the Closing Date, certified by the
     Secretary or Assistant Secretary of such Company as of the Closing Date;
     and

          (ii) a good standing certificate for each Company from the Secretary
     of State (or similar, applicable Governmental Authority) of its state of
     incorporation and each state where each such Company is qualified to do
     business as a foreign corporation as of a recent date, together with a
     bring-down certificate by facsimile, dated the Closing Date;

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
     (d) Legal Opinions. An opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, counsel to the
Companies and addressed to the Agent and the Banks, substantially in the form of
Exhibit I;

     (e) Payment of Fees. Evidence of payment by the Companies of all accrued
and unpaid fees, costs and expenses to the extent then due and payable on the
Closing Date, including any such costs, fees and expenses arising under or
referenced in Section 2.12 or Article III;

     (f) Certificate. A certificate signed by a Responsible Officer, dated as of
the Closing Date, stating that:

          (i) the representations and warranties contained in Article V are true
     and correct on and as of such date, as though made on and as of such date;

          (ii) no Default or Event of Default exists or would result from the
     initial Borrowing; and

          (iii) there has occurred since December 31, 1996 , no event or
     circumstance that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in
     a Material Adverse Effect.

     (g) Termination of Existing Agreement. The Existing Agreement shall be
terminated and all amounts outstanding thereunder shall have been paid in full.

     (h) Execution of the 364 Day Credit Agreement. The 364 Day Credit Agreement
shall have been executed and all conditions to lending shall have been
satisfied.

     (i) Other Documents. Such other approvals, opinions, documents or materials
as the Agent or any Bank may reasonably request.

     4.02 Conditions to All Borrowings. The obligation of each Bank to make any
Committed Loan to be made by it, or any Bid Loan as to which the Companies have
accepted the relevant Competitive Bid (including its initial Loan), or to
continue or convert any Committed Loan under Section 2.04 is subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on the relevant Borrowing
Date or Conversion/Continuation Date:

     (a) Notice of Borrowing or Conversion/Continuation. As to any Committed
Loan, the Agent shall have received (with, in the case of the initial Loan only,
a copy for each Bank) a 

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, as applicable;

     (b) Continuation of Representations and Warranties. The representations and
warranties in Article V, including, without limitation, Section 5.08, shall be
true and correct on and as of such Borrowing Date or Conversion/Continuation
Date with the same effect as if made on and as of such Borrowing Date or
Conversion/Continuation Date (except to the extent such representations and
warranties expressly refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true
and correct as of such earlier date); and

     (c) No Existing Default. No Default or Event of Default shall exist or
shall result from such Borrowing or continuation or conversion.

Each Notice of Borrowing and Notice of Conversion/Continuation and Competitive
Bid Request submitted by either of the Companies hereunder shall constitute a
representation and warranty by the Companies hereunder, as of the date of each
such notice or request and as of each Borrowing Date or Conversion/Continuation
Date, as applicable, that the conditions in Section 4.02 are satisfied.

                                   ARTICLE V
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     The Companies represent and warrant to the Agent and each Bank that:

     5.01 Corporate Existence and Power. Each of the Companies and each of their
Subsidiaries:

     (a) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation;

     (b) has the power and authority and all governmental licenses,
authorizations, consents and approvals to own its assets, carry on its business
and to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents;

     (c) is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is licensed and in good
standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or
operation of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification
or license; and

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
     (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law; except, in each case
referred to in clause (b), (c) or clause (d), to the extent that the failure to
do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     5.02 Corporate Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and
performance by the Companies of this Agreement and each other Loan Document to
which each of the Companies is party, have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action, and do not and will not:

     (a) contravene the terms of any of the Companies' Organization Documents;

     (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the
creation of any Lien under, any document evidencing any Contractual Obligation
to which either of the Companies is a party or any order, injunction, writ or
decree of any Governmental Authority to which either of the Companies or its
property is subject; or

     (c) violate any Requirement of Law.

     5.03 Governmental Authorization. No approval, consent, exemption,
authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any
Governmental Authority is necessary or required in connection with the
execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, the Companies of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

     5.04 Binding Effect. This Agreement and each other Loan Document to which
either of the Companies is a party constitute the legal, valid and binding
obligations of such Company, enforceable against such Company in accordance with
their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

     5.05 Litigation. Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.05, there
are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending, or to the best
knowledge of either of the Companies, threatened or contemplated, at law, in
equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, against either of
the Companies, or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties which:

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
     (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; or

     (b) if determined adversely to such Company or its Subsidiaries, would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No injunction, writ,
temporary restraining order or any order of any nature has been issued by any
court or other Governmental Authority purporting to enjoin or restrain the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any other Loan Document,
or directing that the transactions provided for herein or therein not be
consummated as herein or therein provided.

     5.06 No Default. No Default or Event of Default exists or would result from
the incurring of any Obligations by the Companies. As of the Closing Date,
neither the Companies nor any Subsidiary is in default under or with respect to
any Contractual Obligation in any respect which, individually or together with
all such defaults, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, or that would, if such default had occurred after the Closing Date,
create an Event of Default under subsection 8.01(e).

     5.07 ERISA Compliance.

     (a) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.07, each Plan is in
substantial compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions
of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state law. Each Plan which is intended
to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable
determination letter from the IRS and to the best knowledge of the Companies,
nothing has occurred which would if not remedied (the time for such remedy not
having yet expired) cause the loss of such qualification.

     (b) There are no pending, or to the best knowledge of the Companies,
threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority,
with respect to any Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or
other violation of the fiduciary responsibility rule under ERISA with respect to
any Plan which could reasonably result in a Material Adverse Effect.

     (c) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.07, no ERISA Event has
occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Pension Plan.

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
     (d) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.07, no Pension Plan has
any Unfunded Pension Liability.

     (e) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.07, neither of the
Companies has incurred, nor does it reasonably expect to incur, any liability
under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than premiums
due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA).

     (f) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.07, neither of the
Companies has transferred any Unfunded Pension Liability to any Person or to the
knowledge of the Companies otherwise engaged in a transaction subject to Section
4069 of ERISA.

     (g) No trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control
with either of the Companies within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or
(o) of the Code maintains or contributes to any Pension Plan or other Plan
subject to Section 412 of the Code. During the five year period ending on the
Closing Date, neither the Companies nor any Person under common control with the
Companies (as defined in the preceding sentence) has ever contributed to any
multi-employer plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

     5.08 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. The proceeds of the Loans are to
be used solely for the purposes set forth in and permitted by Section 6.11 and
Section 7.07. Neither of the Companies nor any Subsidiary is generally engaged
in the business of purchasing or selling Margin Stock or extending credit for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.

     5.09 Title to Properties. The Companies and each Subsidiary have good
record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in,
all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of their respective
businesses, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Closing Date, the
property of the Companies and its Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other
than Permitted Liens.

     5.10 Taxes. The Companies and its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal and
other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all
Federal and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental
charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets
otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been provided in
accordance with GAAP. 

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
There is no proposed tax assessment against the Companies or any Subsidiary that
would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect or that is not disclosed on
Schedule 5.10.

     5.11 Financial Condition.

     (a) The audited consolidated financial statements of St. Jude and its
Subsidiaries dated December 31, 1996, and the unaudited consolidated financial
statements dated September 30, 1997, and the related consolidated statements of
income or operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the fiscal year or
the fiscal quarter, respectively, ended on such dates:

          (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied
     throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted
     therein, subject to ordinary, good faith year end audit adjustments in the
     case of such unaudited statements;

          (ii) fairly present the financial condition of St. Jude and its
     Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and results of operations for the
     period covered thereby; and

          (iii) except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.11, show all
     material Indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of St.
     Jude and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including
     liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Contingent Obligations.

     (b) Since December 31, 1996, there has been no Material Adverse Effect.

     5.12 Environmental Matters. Each of the Companies conducts in the ordinary
course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and
existing Environmental Claims on its business, operations and properties, and as
a result thereof the Companies have reasonably concluded that, except as
specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.12, such Environmental Laws and
Environmental Claims could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     5.13 Regulated Entities. None of the Companies, any Person controlling the
Companies, or any Subsidiary, is an "Investment Company" within the meaning of
the Investment Companies Act of 1940. Neither of the Companies is not subject to
any other 

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
Federal or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur
Indebtedness.

     5.14 No Burdensome Restrictions. Neither of the Companies nor any
Subsidiary is a party to or bound by any Contractual Obligation, or subject to
any restriction in any Organization Document, or any Requirement of Law, which
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     5.15 Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Licenses, etc. Each of the
Companies or their Subsidiaries own or are licensed or otherwise have the right
to use all of the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights,
contractual franchises, authorizations and other rights that are reasonably
necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, without conflict
with the rights of any other Person. To the best knowledge of the Companies, no
slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or
other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by either of
the Companies or any Subsidiary infringes upon any rights held by any other
Person. Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.15, no claim or
litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or threatened, and no
patent, invention, device, application, principle or any statute, law, rule,
regulation, standard or code is pending or, to the knowledge of the Companies,
proposed, which, in either case, could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

     5.16 Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, the Companies have no
Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in part (a) of Schedule
5.16 hereto and has no equity investments in any other corporation or entity
other than those specifically disclosed in part (b) of Schedule 5.16.

     5.17 Insurance. The properties of each of the Companies and their
Subsidiaries are insured either with financially sound and reputable insurance
companies or under legitimate and responsible self-insurance programs, in such
amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily
carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties
in localities where each Company or their Subsidiaries operate.

     5.18 Full Disclosure. None of the representations or warranties made by
either of the Companies or any Subsidiary in the Loan Documents as of the date
such representations and warranties are made or deemed made, and none of the
statements 

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
contained in any exhibit, report, statement or certificate furnished by or on
behalf of the Companies or any Subsidiary in connection with the Loan Documents
(including the offering and disclosure materials delivered by or on behalf of
the Companies to the Banks prior to the Closing Date), contains any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they are made, not misleading as of the time when made
or delivered.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                             AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     So long as any Bank shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or
other Obligation shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, unless the Majority Banks
waive compliance in writing:

     6.01 Financial Statements. The Companies shall deliver to the Agent, in
form and detail satisfactory to the Agent and the Majority Banks, with
sufficient copies for each Bank:

     (a) as soon as available, but not later than 90 days after the end of each
fiscal year, a copy of the audited consolidated balance sheet of St. Jude and
its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the related consolidated
statements of income or operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for such
year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the
previous fiscal year, and accompanied by the opinion of Ernst & Young or another
nationally-recognized independent public accounting firm ("Independent Auditor")
which report shall state that such consolidated financial statements present
fairly the financial position for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP
applied on a basis consistent with prior years. Such opinion shall not be
qualified or limited because of a restricted or limited examination by the
Independent Auditor of any material portion of the St. Jude or any Subsidiary's
records; and

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
     (b) as soon as available, but not later than 45 days after the end of each
of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, a copy of the unaudited
consolidated balance sheet of St. Jude and its Subsidiaries as of the end of
such quarter and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows
for the period commencing on the first day and ending on the last day of such
quarter, and certified by a Responsible Officer as fairly presenting, in
accordance with GAAP (subject to ordinary, good faith year-end audit
adjustments), the financial position and the results of operations of St. Jude
and its Subsidiaries.

     6.02 Certificates; Other Information. The Companies shall furnish to the
Agent, with sufficient copies for each Bank:

     (a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to
in subsections 6.01(a) and (b), (i) Compliance Certificate and (ii) Pricing
Certificate in the form of Exhibit J ("Pricing Certificate") so long as the
Applicable Margin and Facility Fee are computed according to the Ratio ,
executed by a Responsible Officer which certifies, among other things, that no
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (except as described
therein);

     (b) promptly, copies of all financial statements and reports that St. Jude
sends to its shareholders, and copies of all financial statements and regular,
periodical or special reports (including Forms 10K, 10Q and 8K) that St. Jude or
any Subsidiary may make to, or file with, the SEC;

     (c) promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial
or corporate affairs of the Companies or any Subsidiary as the Agent, at the
request of any Bank, may from time to time reasonably request;

     (d) immediately, written notice of St. Jude's receipt of a Rating or any
change in such Rating; and

     (e) immediately, written notice of Loans in excess of 50% of the Banks'
aggregate total Commitments pursuant to subsection (g) of the definition of
Applicable Margin and Facility Fee.

     6.03 Notices. The Companies shall promptly notify the Agent and each Bank:

     (a) of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, and of the
occurrence or existence of any event or 

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
circumstance that is reasonably likely to become a Default or Event of Default;

     (b) of any matter that has resulted or is reasonably likely to result in a
Material Adverse Effect, including (i) breach or non-performance of, or any
default under, a Contractual Obligation of either of the Companies or their
Subsidiaries; (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or
suspension between either of the Companies or any Subsidiary and any
Governmental Authority; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material
development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting either of the Companies
or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws;

     (c) of any of the following events affecting either of the Companies,
together with a copy of any notice with respect to such event that may be
required to be filed with a Governmental Authority and any notice delivered by a
Governmental Authority to the Companies with respect to such event:

          (i) an ERISA Event;

          (ii) if any of the representations and warranties in Section 5.07
     ceases to be true and correct;

          (iii) the adoption of any new Pension Plan or other Plan subject to
     Section 412 of the Code;

          (iv) the adoption of any amendment to a Pension Plan or other Plan
     subject to Section 412 of the Code that results in a material increase in
     contributions or Unfunded Pension Liability; or

          (v) the commencement of contributions to any Pension Plan or other
     Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code; and

     (d) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting
practices by either of the Companies or any of their consolidated Subsidiaries.

     Each notice under this Section shall be accompanied by a written statement
by a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to
therein, and stating what action such Company or any affected Subsidiary
proposes to take with respect thereto and at what time. Each notice under
subsection 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all 

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
clauses or provisions of this Agreement or other Loan Document that have been
(or foreseeably will be) breached or violated.

     6.04 Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc. Each of the Companies shall,
and shall cause each Subsidiary to:

     (a) preserve and maintain in full force and effect its corporate existence
and good standing under the laws of its state or jurisdiction of incorporation;

     (b) preserve and maintain in full force and effect all governmental rights,
privileges, qualifications, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or
desirable in the normal conduct of its business except in connection with
transactions permitted by Section 7.03 and sales of assets permitted by Section
7.02;

     (c) use reasonable efforts, in the ordinary course of business, to preserve
its business organization and goodwill; and

     (d) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade
names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     6.05 Maintenance of Property. Each of the Companies shall maintain, and
shall cause each Subsidiary to maintain, and preserve all its property which is
used or useful in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary
wear and tear excepted, and make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and
replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Companies and each
Subsidiary shall use the standard of care typical in the industry in the
operation and maintenance of its facilities.

     6.06 Insurance. Each of the Companies shall maintain, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to maintain, either with financially sound and reputable independent
insurers or under legitimate and responsible self-insurance programs, insurance
with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds
customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business,
of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar
circumstances by such other Persons; provided that at all times during the term
of this Agreement the Companies shall maintain insurance coverage with sound and
reputable independent insurers in substantially the same amounts and covering
substantially the same risks as the 

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
coverage existing on the Closing Date which is specifically disclosed in
Schedule 6.06. Upon request of the Agent or any Bank, the Companies shall
furnish the Agent, with sufficient copies for each Bank, at reasonable intervals
(but not more than once per calendar year) a certificate of each of the
Companies' insurance broker setting forth the nature, extent and such other
information as the Agent may reasonably request regarding the independent
insurance maintained by such Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with
this Section 6.06.

     6.07 Payment of Obligations. The Companies shall, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to, pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all
their respective obligations and liabilities, including:

     (a) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies
upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP
are being maintained by the Companies or such Subsidiary;

     (b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its
property, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained
by the Companies or such Subsidiary; and

     (c) all Indebtedness, as and when due and payable.

     6.08 Compliance with Laws. Each of the Companies shall comply, and shall
cause each Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with all Requirements
of Law of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or its business
(including the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act), except such as may be
contested in good faith or as to which a bona fide dispute may exist.

    6.09 Inspection of Property and Books and Records.  Each of the Companies
shall maintain and shall cause each Subsidiary to maintain proper books of
record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with
GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and
matters involving the assets and business of each of the Companies and their
Subsidiaries.  The Companies shall permit, and shall cause each Subsidiary to
permit, representatives and independent contractors of the Agent or any Bank to
visit and inspect any of their respective properties, to examine their
respective corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof
or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss their respective 

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
directors, officers, and independent public accountants,affairs, finances and
accounts with their respective all at such reasonable times during normal
business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable
advance notice to the Companies; provided, however, when an Event of Default
exists the Agent or any Bank may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the
Companies at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice.

     6.10 Environmental Laws. Each of the Companies shall, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to, conduct its operations and keep and maintain its property in
compliance with all Environmental Laws (except for any noncompliance which has
not resulted or is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse
Effect).

     6.11 Use of Proceeds. Each of the Companies shall use the proceeds of the
Loans for general corporate purposes and Acquisitions not in contravention of
any Requirement of Law or of any provision of any Loan Document, including,
without limitation, the provisions of Section 7.07. Proceeds of each Loan shall
be used by the Companies (a) to refinance existing Indebtedness, (b) to finance
the repurchase of St. Jude's common stock pursuant to a self-tender offer, and
(c) to provide for working capital and general corporate purposes, including
Acquisitions.


                                  ARTICLE VII
                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     So long as any Bank shall have any Commitment hereunder, or any Loan or
other Obligation shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, unless the Majority Banks
waive compliance in writing:

     7.01 Limitation on Liens. The Companies shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make, create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any part of its property,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following ("Permitted
Liens"):

     (a) any Lien existing on property of the Companies or any Subsidiary on the
Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 7.01 securing Indebtedness outstanding on
such date;

     (b) any Lien created under any Loan Document;

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
     (c) Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental charges which
are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty, or to the extent that
non-payment thereof is permitted by Section 6.07, provided that no notice of
lien has been filed or recorded under the Code;

     (d) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', landlords', materialmen's,
repairmen's or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business
which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty or which are being
contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, which proceedings have
the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property subject thereto;

     (e) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) consisting of pledges or
deposits required in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers'
compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation;

     (f) Liens on the property of the Companies or any of their Subsidiaries
securing (i) the non-delinquent performance of bids, trade contracts (other than
for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, (ii) contingent obligations
on surety and appeal bonds, and (iii) other non-delinquent obligations of a like
nature; in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business, provided all
such Liens in the aggregate would not (even if enforced) cause a Material
Adverse Effect;

     (g) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances
incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the aggregate, are not
substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the
value of the property subject thereto or interfere with the ordinary conduct of
the businesses of the Companies and their Subsidiaries;

     (h) Liens on assets of corporations which become Subsidiaries after the
date of this Agreement, provided, however, that such Liens existed at the time
the respective corporations became Subsidiaries and were not created in
anticipation thereof;

     (i) purchase money security interests on any property acquired or held by
the Companies or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, securing
Indebtedness incurred or assumed for the purpose of financing all or any part of
the cost of acquiring such property; provided that (i) any such Lien 

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
attaches to such property concurrently with or within 20 days after the
acquisition thereof, (ii) such Lien attaches solely to the property so acquired
in such transaction, (iii) the principal amount of the debt secured thereby does
not exceed 100% of the cost of such property, and (iv) the principal amount of
the Indebtedness secured by any and all such purchase money security interests
shall not at any time exceed $ 75,000,000;

     (j) Liens securing obligations in respect of capital leases on assets
subject to such leases, provided that such capital leases are otherwise
permitted hereunder;

     (k) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision
relating to banker's liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as
to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository
institution; provided that (i) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash
collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against access by either
of the Companies in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the
FRB, and (ii) such deposit account is not intended by either of the Companies or
any Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution; and

     (l) Other Liens on property, provided that the sum of the aggregate
Indebtedness secured by such Liens (exclusive of Indebtedness secured by Liens
permitted by clauses (a) through (k) hereof) shall not exceed an amount equal to
5% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth as shown on St. Jude's consolidated
balance sheet for its most recent prior fiscal quarter. For purposes of this
subsection (l), "Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" means at any date the sum of
(a) the consolidated stockholders' equity of St. Jude and its consolidated
Subsidiaries less (b) their consolidated Intangible Assets, all determined as of
such date. For purposes of the foregoing definition, "Intangible Assets" means
the amount (to the extent reflected in determining such consolidated
stockholders' equity) of all unamortized debt discount and expense, unamortized
deferred charges, goodwill, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names,
copyrights, organization or development expenses and other intangible items.

     7.02 Disposition of Assets. The Companies shall not, and shall not suffer
or permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, lease,
convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of
transactions) any property (including accounts and notes receivable, with or
without recourse) or enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing,
except:

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<PAGE>
 
     (a) dispositions of inventory, or used, worn-out or surplus equipment, all
in the ordinary course of business;

     (b) the sale of equipment to the extent that such equipment is exchanged
for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement equipment, or the
proceeds of such sale are reasonably promptly applied to the purchase price of
such replacement equipment; and

     (c) other dispositions of property during the term of this Agreement whose
net book value in the aggregate shall not exceed 10% of St. Jude's total assets
as shown on its consolidated balance sheet for its most recent prior fiscal
quarter.

     7.03 Consolidations and Mergers. The Companies shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, merge, consolidate with or into, or convey,
transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a
series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now
owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except:

     (a) any Subsidiary may merge with either of the Companies, provided that
the Companies shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, or with any one
or more Subsidiaries, provided that if any transaction shall be between a
Subsidiary and a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, the Wholly-Owned Subsidiary shall be
the continuing or surviving corporation; and

     (b) any Subsidiary may sell all or substantially all of its assets (upon
voluntary liquidation or otherwise), to the Companies or another Wholly- Owned
Subsidiary or as otherwise permitted by Section 7.02.

     7.04 Loans and Investments. The Companies shall not purchase or acquire, or
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to purchase or acquire, or make any commitment
therefor, any capital stock, equity interest, or any obligations or other
securities of, or any interest in, any Person, or make or commit to make any
Acquisitions, or make or commit to make any advance, loan, extension of credit
or capital contribution to or any other investment in, any Person including any
Affiliate of the Companies, except for:

     (a) investments in cash equivalents and short term marketable securities in
accordance with the written investment policy approved from time to time by the
Companies' board 

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<PAGE>
 
of directors, a current copy of which is set forth as Schedule 7.04(a) attached
hereto and provided further, that the Companies shall provide a copy of such
policy to any Bank upon written request given to the Agent from time to time;

     (b) extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes
receivable arising from the sale or lease of goods or services in the ordinary
course of business;

     (c) extensions of credit by either of the Companies to any of its
Subsidiaries or by any of its Subsidiaries to another of its Subsidiaries;

     (d) investments incurred in order to consummate Acquisitions, provided that
(i) such Acquisitions are undertaken in accordance with all applicable
Requirements of Law; and (ii) the prior, effective written consent or approval
to such Acquisition of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of
the acquiree is obtained;

     (e) minority equity investments or venture capital investments, provided
that such investments are within the healthcare industry;

     (f) loans or other advances made by either Company or any of their
Subsidiaries which in the aggregate do not exceed $5,000,000 outstanding at any
time; or

     (g) guarantees of employee loans made for the sole purpose of purchasing
St. Jude stock; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such guarantees
shall at no time exceed $25,000,000.

The Companies shall not, and shall not suffer or permit any of their
Subsidiaries to, use any portion of the Loan proceeds, directly or indirectly,
to acquire any securities in connection with any transaction subject to Section
13(d) (other than an Investment Transaction) or Section 14 of the Exchange Act,
unless, prior to the time such transaction becomes subject to such Section 13 or
14, the board of directors or other applicable governing body of the Person that
is the issuer of such securities has adopted a resolution approving such
transaction. For purposes of this Section 7.04, an "Investment Transaction"
means a transaction subject to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, provided that
in connection with such transaction the Companies or any Subsidiary (as the case
may be) has reported and at all times continues to report to the SEC that such
transaction is undertaken for investment purposes or strategic business
purposes.

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<PAGE>
 
     7.05 Limitation on Subsidiary Indebtedness. The Companies shall not suffer
or permit any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume, suffer to exist, or otherwise
become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any Indebtedness
or Contingent Obligations, except:

     (a) Indebtedness and Contingent Obligations existing on the Closing Date as
set forth in Schedule 7.05;

     (b) endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business; and

     (c) other Indebtedness or Contingent Obligations, provided that the
aggregate amount of Indebtedness and Contingent Obligations permitted under
subsections (a) and (c) of this Section 7.05 shall not exceed $50,000,000.

The restrictions contained in this Section shall not include any Indebtness of
Pacesetter incurred under this Agreement.

     7.06 Transactions with Affiliates. The Companies shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction with any
Affiliate of such Company, except upon fair and reasonable terms no less
favorable to such Company or such Subsidiary than would obtain in a comparable
arm's-length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of the Companies or such
Subsidiary.

     7.07 Use of Proceeds; Regulation U. Following the application of proceeds
of each Loan, not more than 25% of the value of assets of either of the
Companies, which are subject to any arrangement with the Agent or any Bank
(herein or otherwise) whereby such Company's or any Subsidiary's right or
ability to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of assets is in any way restricted,
shall be Margin Stock.

     7.08 Limitation on Subsidiary Dividends. The Companies shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to enter into any agreement with any Person (other than
the Banks pursuant to this Agreement) which prohibits or limits the ability of
such Subsidiary to declare or pay any dividends or make other distributions of
assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities on account of any
shares of any class of the capital stock of such Subsidiary.

     7.09 Joint Ventures. The Companies shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to enter into any Joint Venture which is not in the
healthcare industry.

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<PAGE>
 
     7.10 [Reserved]

     7.11 Restricted Payments. The Companies shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make any dividend payment or other
distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or securities on
account of any shares of any class of its capital stock, or purchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire for value any shares of its capital stock or any warrants,
rights or options to acquire such shares, now or hereafter outstanding; except
that either of the Companies and any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may:

     (a) declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable
solely in its common stock;

     (b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of its common stock or
warrants or options to acquire any such shares with the proceeds received from
the substantially concurrent issue of new shares of its common stock; and

     (c) declare or pay cash dividends to its stockholders and purchase, redeem
or otherwise acquire shares of its capital stock or warrants, rights or options
to acquire any such shares for cash provided, that, before and immediately after
giving effect to such proposed action, no Default or Event of Default exists or
would exist.

     7.12 Change in Business. The Companies shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, engage in any material line of business substantially
different from those lines of business carried on by the Companies and its
Subsidiaries on the date hereof.

     7.13 Accounting Changes. The Companies shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Subsidiary to, make any significant change in accounting treatment or
reporting practices, except as required by GAAP, or change the fiscal year of
the Companies or of any Subsidiary.

     7.14 Interest Coverage Ratio. St. Jude shall not permit as of the last day
of any fiscal quarter or immediately after giving effect to any Acquisition the
ratio of its EBIT to Interest Expense to be less than 3.0 to 1.0. For purposes
of this section, "EBIT" means as at the end of any fiscal quarter of St. Jude
for the period of the four consecutive fiscal quarters ended as at such date,
the sum of (a) the consolidated net income (or net loss) of St. Jude and its
Subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP; (b) all

                                       60
<PAGE>
 
amounts treated as interest expense for such period to the extent included in
the determination of such consolidated net income (or loss); and (c) all taxes
accrued for such period on or measured by income to the extent included in the
determination of such consolidated net income (or loss); provided, however, that
consolidated net income (or loss) shall be computed for the purposes of this
definition without giving effect to non-cash extraordinary losses or
extraordinary gains for such period.

     7.15 Total Debt to Total Capitalization. St. Jude shall not permit the
ratio of Total Debt to Total Capitalization to be greater than 55% at any time.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     8.01 Event of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an "Event of
Default":

     (a) Non-Payment. Either of the Companies fails to pay, (i) when and as
required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan or any amount of
interest on any Bid Loan, or (ii) within three (3) days after the same becomes
due, any interest, fee or any other amount payable hereunder or under any other
Loan Document; or

     (b) Representation or Warranty. Any representation or warranty by the
either of the Companies or any Subsidiary made or deemed made herein, in any
other Loan Document, or which is contained in any certificate, document or
financial or other statement by the Companies, any Subsidiary, or any
Responsible Officer, furnished at any time under this Agreement, or in or under
any other Loan Document, is incorrect in any material respect on or as of the
date made or deemed made; or

     (c) Specific Defaults. Either of the Companies fails to perform or observe
any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.01, 6.02, 6.03 or
6.11 or in Article VII and, with respect to any default under Section 6.01 or
6.02, such default shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) days; or

     (d) Other Defaults. Either of the Companies fails to perform or observe any
other term or covenant contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document,
and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the
earlier of (i) the date upon which a Responsible Officer knew or reasonably

                                       61
<PAGE>
 
should have known of such failure or (ii) the date upon which written notice
thereof is given to such Company by the Agent or any Bank; or

     (e) Cross-Default. Either of the Companies or any Subsidiary (i) fails to
make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation having
an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts
and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated
credit arrangement) of more than $10,000,000 when due (whether by scheduled
maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) and such
failure continues after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified
in the relevant document on the date of such failure; or (ii) fails to perform
or observe any other condition or covenant, or any other event shall occur or
condition exist, under any agreement or instrument relating to any such
Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation, and such failure continues after the
applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified in the relevant document on
the date of such failure if the effect of such failure, event or condition is to
cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or beneficiary or
beneficiaries of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such
holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause such Indebtedness to
be declared to be due and payable prior to its stated maturity, or such
Contingent Obligation to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to
be demanded; or

     (f) Insolvency; Voluntary Proceedings. Either of the Companies or any
Subsidiary (i) ceases or fails to be solvent, or generally fails to pay, or
admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due, subject to
applicable grace periods, if any, whether at stated maturity or otherwise; (ii)
voluntarily ceases to conduct its business in the ordinary course; (iii)
commences any Insolvency Proceeding with respect to itself; or (iv) takes any
action to effectuate or authorize any of the foregoing; or

     (g) Involuntary Proceedings. (i) Any involuntary Insolvency Proceeding is
commenced or filed against either of the Companies or any Subsidiary, or any
writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar process, is issued
or levied against a substantial part of either of the Companies or any
Subsidiary's properties, and any such proceeding or petition shall not be
dismissed, or such writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar
process shall not be released, vacated or fully bonded within 60 days after
commencement, filing or levy; (ii) such Company or any Subsidiary admits the

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<PAGE>
 
material allegations of a petition against it in any Insolvency Proceeding, or
an order for relief (or similar order under non-U.S. law) is ordered in any
Insolvency Proceeding; or (iii) such Company or any Subsidiary acquiesces in the
appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator,
mortgagee in possession (or agent therefor), or other similar Person for itself
or a substantial portion of its property or business; or

     (h) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan which
has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of either of
the Companies under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan or the PBGC in an
aggregate amount in excess of $25,000,000; or (ii) the commencement or increase
of contributions to, or the adoption of or the amendment of a Pension Plan by
such Company which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in an
increase in Unfunded Pension Liability among all Pension Plans in an aggregate
amount in excess of $50,000,000; or

     (i) Monetary Judgments. One or more non-interlocutory judgments, non-
interlocutory orders, decrees or arbitration awards is entered against either of
the Companies or any Subsidiary involving in the aggregate a liability (to the
extent a claim is not covered by independent third-party insurance) as to any
single or related series of transactions, incidents or conditions, of
$50,000,000 or more, and the same shall not have been vacated, discharged,
stayed or appealed within the applicable period for appeal from the date of
entry thereof; or

     (j) Non-Monetary Judgments. Any non-monetary judgment, order or decree is
entered against either of the Companies or any Subsidiary which does or would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and there shall be any
period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such
judgment or order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in
effect; or

     (k) Change of Control. There occurs any Change of Control. For purposes of
this Section 8.01(k), (i) a "Change of Control" shall occur if any Person or
group of Persons is the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the voting power of
either of the Companies for a period of 30 days or more; and (ii) the terms
"group" and "beneficial owner" shall have the meanings given to those terms in
Section 13 of the Exchange Act; or

     (l) Loss of Licenses. (i) The Food and Drug Administration or any other
Governmental Authority revokes or fails to renew any material license, permit,
franchise, patent, 

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<PAGE>
 
trademark, service mark, trade name, copyright, authorization or other right of
St. Jude or any Subsidiary, or St. Jude or any Subsidiary for any reason loses
any material license, permit, franchise, patent, trademark, service mark, trade
name, copyright, authorization or other right, or St. Jude or any Subsidiary
suffers the imposition of any restraining order, escrow, suspension or impound
of funds in connection with any proceeding (judicial or administrative) with
respect to any material license, permit, franchise, patent, trademark, service
mark, trade name, copyright, authorization or other right; and (ii) any event or
circumstance described in clause (i) has resulted or is reasonably likely to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

     8.02 Remedies. If any Event of Default occurs, the Agent shall, at the
request of, or may, with the consent of, the Majority Banks,

     (a) declare the obligations of each Bank to make Committed Loans to be
terminated, whereupon such Commitments shall be terminated;

     (b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all
interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable,
without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which
are hereby expressly waived by such Company; and

     (c) exercise on behalf of itself and the Banks all rights and remedies
available to it and the Banks under the Loan Documents or applicable law;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any event specified in subsection
(f) or (g) of Section 8.01 (in the case of clause (i) of subsection (g) upon the
expiration of the 60-day period mentioned therein), the obligation of each Bank
to make Loans shall automatically terminate and the unpaid principal amount of
all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall
automatically become due and payable without further act of the Agent or any
Bank.

     8.03 Rights Not Exclusive. The rights provided for in this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other
rights, powers, privileges or remedies provided by law or in equity, or under
any other instrument, document or agreement now existing or hereafter arising.

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<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE IX
                                   THE AGENTS

     9.01 Appointment and Authorization. Each Bank hereby irrevocably appoints,
designates and authorizes the Agent to take such action on its behalf under the
provisions of this Agreement and each other Loan Document and to exercise such
powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to it by the terms of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document, together with such powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary
contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, the Agent
shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth
herein, nor shall the Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship
with any Bank, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties,
obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan
Document or otherwise exist against the Agent. The Syndication Agent and the
Documentation Agent shall have no responsibilities under this Agreement.

     9.02 Delegation of Duties. The Agent may execute any of its duties under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents, employees or
attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all
matters pertaining to such duties. The Agent shall not be responsible for the
negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects with
reasonable care.

     9.03 Liability of Agent. None of the Agent-Related Persons shall (i) be
liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in
connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions
contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct),
or (ii) be responsible in any manner to any of the Banks for any recital,
statement, representation or warranty made by the either of Companies or any
Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Companies, or any officer thereof, contained in
this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, report,
statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the
Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or
the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for any failure of the either of the
Company, or any other party to any Loan Document to perform its obligations
hereunder or thereunder. No Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation
to any Bank to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of
any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this 

                                       65
<PAGE>
 
Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or
records of the Companies or any of the Companies' Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

 
     9.04 Reliance by Agent.

     (a) The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in
relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit,
letter, telegram, facsimile, telex or telephone message, statement or other
document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have
been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and
statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Companies), independent
accountants and other experts selected by the Agent. The Agent shall be fully
justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any
other Loan Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of
the Majority Banks as it deems appropriate and, if it so requests, it shall
first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Banks against any and all
liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or
continuing to take any such action. The Agent shall in all cases be fully
protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any
other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of the Majority
Banks and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto
shall be binding upon all of the Banks.

     (b) For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in
Section 4.01, each Bank that has executed this Agreement shall be deemed to have
consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or
other matter either sent by the Agent to such Bank for consent, approval,
acceptance or satisfaction, or required thereunder to be consented to or
approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Bank.

     9.05 Notice of Default. The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or
notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with respect
to defaults in the payment of principal, interest and fees required to be paid
to the Agent for the account of the Banks, unless the Agent shall have received
written notice from a Bank or either of the Companies referring to this
Agreement, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such
notice is a "notice of default". The Agent will promptly notify the Banks of its
receipt of any such notice. The Agent shall take such action with respect to
such Default or Event of Default as may be requested by the 

                                       66
<PAGE>
 
Majority Banks in accordance with Article VIII; provided, however, that unless
and until the Agent has received any such request, the Agent may (but shall not
be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with
respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable or in the
best interest of the Banks.

     9.06 Credit Decision. Each Bank acknowledges that none of the Agent-Related
Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by the
Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of the Companies
and their Subsidiaries, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or
warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Bank. Each Bank represents to the
Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related
Person and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate,
made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, prospects,
operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the
Companies and their Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank regulatory laws
relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to
enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to either of the Companies
hereunder. Each Bank also represents that it will, independently and without
reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own
credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigations as
it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations,
property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of either of the
Companies. Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly herein
required to be furnished to the Banks by the Agent, the Agent shall not have any
duty or responsibility to provide any Bank with any credit or other information
concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other
condition or creditworthiness of the Companies which may come into the
possession of any of the Agent-Related Persons.

     9.07 Indemnification. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby
are consummated, the Banks shall indemnify upon demand the Agent-Related Persons
(to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of the Companies and without
limiting the joint and several obligation of the Companies to do so), pro rata,
from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities; provided, however, that no
Bank shall be liable for the payment to the Agent-Related Persons of any portion
of such Indemnified Liabilities resulting solely from such Person's gross
negligence or willful misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, 

                                       67
<PAGE>
 
each Bank shall reimburse the Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any
costs or out-of-pocket expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred by the Agent
in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration,
modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal
proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or
responsibilities under, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any document
contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent that the Agent is not
reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Companies. The undertaking
in this Section shall survive the payment of all Obligations hereunder and the
resignation or replacement of the Agent.

     9.08 Agent in Individual Capacity. BofA and its Affiliates may make loans
to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire
equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust,
financial advisory, underwriting or other business with either of the Companies
and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates as though BofA were not the Agent hereunder
and without notice to or consent of the Banks. The Banks acknowledge that,
pursuant to such activities, BofA or its Affiliates may receive information
regarding either of the Companies or its Affiliates (including information that
may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of such Companies or such
Subsidiary) and acknowledge that the Agent shall be under no obligation to
provide such information to them. With respect to its Loans, BofA shall have the
same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Bank and may exercise
the same as though it were not the Agent, and the terms "Bank" and "Banks"
include BofA in its individual capacity.

     9.09 Successor Agent. The Agent may, and at the request of the Companies
(so long as no Default or Event of Default exists at the time of such request)
or the Majority Banks shall, resign as Agent upon 30 days' notice to the Banks.
If the Agent resigns under this Agreement, the Companies shall appoint from
among the Banks a successor agent for the Banks (unless an Event of Default then
exists in which case the Majority Banks shall appoint the successor agent). If
no successor agent is appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation
of the Agent, the Agent may appoint, after consulting with the Banks and the
Companies, a successor agent from among the Banks. Upon the acceptance of its
appointment as successor agent hereunder, such successor agent shall succeed to
all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Agent and the term "Agent"
shall mean such successor agent and the retiring Agent's appointment, powers and
duties as Agent shall be terminated. After any retiring Agent's resignation
hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Article IX and Sections 10.04 and
10.05 shall inure to 

                                       68
<PAGE>
 
its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was
Agent under this Agreement. If no successor agent has accepted appointment as
Agent by the date which is 30 days following a retiring Agent's notice of
resignation, the retiring Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon
become effective and the Banks shall perform all of the duties of the Agent
hereunder until such time, if any, as the Companies or the Majority Banks
appoint a successor agent as provided for above.

     9.10 Withholding Tax.

     (a) If any Bank is a "foreign corporation, partnership or trust" within the
meaning of the Code and such Bank claims exemption from, or a reduction of, U.S.
withholding tax under Sections 1441 or 1442 of the Code, such Bank agrees with
and in favor of the Agent, to deliver to the Agent:

          (i) if such Bank claims an exemption from, or a reduction of,
     withholding tax under a United States tax treaty, properly completed IRS
     Forms 1001 and W-8 before the payment of any interest in the first calendar
     year and before the payment of any interest in each third succeeding
     calendar year during which interest may be paid under this Agreement;

          (ii) if such Bank claims that interest paid under this Agreement is
     exempt from United States withholding tax because it is effectively
     connected with a United States trade or business of such Bank, two properly
     completed and executed copies of IRS Form 4224 before the payment of any
     interest is due in the first taxable year of such Bank and in each
     succeeding taxable year of such Bank during which interest may be paid
     under this Agreement, and IRS Form W-9; and

          (iii) such other form or forms as may be required under the Code or
     other laws of the United States as a condition to exemption from, or
     reduction of, United States withholding tax.

     Such Bank agrees to promptly notify the Agent of any change in
circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or
reduction.

     (b) If any Bank claims exemption from, or reduction of, withholding tax
under a United States tax treaty by providing IRS Form 1001 and such Bank sells,
assigns, grants a participation in, or otherwise transfers all or part of the
Obligations of the Companies to such Bank, such Bank agrees to 

                                       69
<PAGE>
 
notify the Agent of the percentage amount in which it is no longer the
beneficial owner of Obligations of the Companies to such Bank. To the extent of
such percentage amount, the Agent will treat such Bank's IRS Form 1001 as no
longer valid.

     (c) If any Bank claiming exemption from United States withholding tax by
filing IRS Form 4224 with the Agent sells, assigns, grants a participation in,
or otherwise transfers all or part of the Obligations of the Companies to such
Bank, such Bank agrees to undertake sole responsibility for complying with the
withholding tax requirements imposed by Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code.

     (d) If any Bank is entitled to a reduction in the applicable withholding
tax, the Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such Bank an amount
equivalent to the applicable withholding tax after taking into account such
reduction. If the forms or other documentation required by subsection (a) of
this Section are not delivered to the Agent, then the Agent may withhold from
any interest payment to such Bank not providing such forms or other
documentation an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax.

     (e) If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority of the United States or
other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Agent did not properly withhold tax
from amounts paid to or for the account of any Bank (because the appropriate
form was not delivered, was not properly executed, or because such Bank failed
to notify the Agent of a change in circumstances which rendered the exemption
from, or reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any other reason)
such Bank shall indemnify the Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly or
indirectly, by the Agent as tax or otherwise, including penalties and interest,
and including any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts payable to
the Agent under this Section, together with all costs and expenses (including
Attorney Costs). The obligation of the Banks under this subsection shall survive
the payment of all Obligations and the resignation or replacement of the Agent.

                                   ARTICLE X
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     10.01 Amendments and Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent with respect to any
departure by the Companies therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall
be in writing and signed by the Majority Banks (or by the Agent at the written
request of the Majority Banks) and the Companies and 

                                       70
<PAGE>
 
acknowledged by the Agent, and then any such waiver and consent shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which
given; provided, however, that no such waiver, amendment, or consent shall,
unless in writing and signed by all the Banks and the Companies and acknowledged
by the Agent, do any of the following:

     (a) increase or extend the Commitment of any Bank (or reinstate any
Commitment terminated pursuant to subsection 8.02(a)), unless such Bank has
consented thereto in writing pursuant to Section 2.09 or otherwise;

     (b) postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan
Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to
the Banks (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

     (c) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on
any Loan, or (subject to clause (ii) below) any fees or other amounts payable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

     (d) change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid
principal amount of the Loans which is required for the Banks or any of them to
take any action hereunder; or

     (e) amend this Section, or Section 2.14, or any provision herein providing
for consent or other action by all Banks;

and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
writing and signed by the Agent in addition to the Majority Banks or all the
Banks, as the case may be, affect the rights or duties of the Agent under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, and (ii) the Fee Letter may be amended, or
rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed by the parties
thereto.

     10.02 Notices.

     (a) All notices, requests and other communications shall be in writing
(including, unless the context expressly otherwise provides, by facsimile
transmission, provided that any matter transmitted by the Companies by facsimile
(i) shall be immediately confirmed by a telephone call to the recipient at the
number specified on Schedule 10.02, and (ii) shall be followed promptly by
delivery of a hard copy original thereof) and mailed, faxed or delivered, to the
address or facsimile number specified for notices on Schedule 10.02; or, as
directed 

                                       71
<PAGE>
 
to the Companies or the Agent, to such other address as shall be designated by
such party in a written notice to the other parties, and as directed to any
other party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a
written notice to the Companies and the Agent.

     (b) All such notices, requests and communications shall, when transmitted
by overnight delivery, or faxed, be effective when delivered for overnight
(next-day) delivery, or transmitted in legible form by facsimile machine,
respectively, or if mailed, upon the third Business Day after the date deposited
into the U.S. mail, or if delivered, upon delivery; except that notices pursuant
to Article II or IX shall not be effective until actually received by the Agent.

     (c) Any agreement of the Agent and the Banks herein to receive certain
notices by telephone or facsimile is solely for the convenience and at the
request of the Companies. The Agent and the Banks shall be entitled to rely on
the authority of any Person purporting to be a Person authorized by the
Companies to give such notice and the Agent and the Banks shall not have any
liability to the Companies or other Person on account of any action taken or not
taken by the Agent or the Banks in reliance upon such telephonic or facsimile
notice. The joint and several obligation of the Companies to repay the Loans
shall not be affected in any way or to any extent by any failure by the Agent
and the Banks to receive written confirmation of any telephonic or facsimile
notice or the receipt by the Agent and the Banks of a confirmation which is at
variance with the terms understood by the Agent and the Banks to be contained in
the telephonic or facsimile notice.

     10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no delay
in exercising, on the part of the Agent or any Bank, any right, remedy, power or
privilege hereunder, shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy,
power or privilege.

     10.04 Costs and Expenses. The Companies, jointly and severally, shall:

     (a) pay or reimburse BofA (including in its capacity as Agent) within five
Business Days after demand for all costs and expenses incurred by BofA
(including in its capacity as Agent) in connection with any amendment,
supplement, waiver or modification to (in each case, whether or not
consummated), this Agreement, any Loan Document and any other documents prepared
in 

                                       72
<PAGE>
 
connection herewith or therewith, including reasonable Attorney Costs incurred
by BofA (including in its capacity as Agent) with respect thereto; and

     (b) pay or reimburse the Agent, the Arranger and each Bank within five
Business Days after demand for all costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs)
incurred by them in connection with the enforcement, attempted enforcement, or
preservation of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document during the existence of an Event of Default or after acceleration of
the Loans (including in connection with any "workout" or restructuring regarding
the Loans, and including in any Insolvency Proceeding or appellate proceeding).

     10.05 Indemnity. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are
consummated, the Companies, jointly and severally, shall indemnify and hold the
Agent-Related Persons, and each Bank and each of its respective officers,
directors, employees, counsel, agents and attorneys-in-fact (each, an
"Indemnified Person") harmless from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
charges, expenses and disbursements (including Attorney Costs) of any kind or
nature whatsoever which may at any time (including at any time following
repayment of the Loans and the termination, resignation or replacement of the
Agent or replacement of any Bank) be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against
any such Person in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any
document contemplated by or referred to herein, or the transactions contemplated
hereby, or any action taken or omitted by any such Person under or in connection
with any of the foregoing, including with respect to any investigation,
litigation or proceeding (including any Insolvency Proceeding or appellate
proceeding) related to or arising out of this Agreement or the Loans or the use
of the proceeds thereof, whether or not any Indemnified Person is a party
thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the "Indemnified Liabilities");
provided, that the Companies shall have no obligation hereunder to any
Indemnified Person with respect to Indemnified Liabilities resulting solely from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person. The
agreements in this Section shall survive payment of all other Obligations.

     10.06 Payments Set Aside. To the extent that either of the Companies makes
a payment to the Agent or the Banks, or the Agent or the Banks exercise their
right of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of such set-off or any part
thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or 

                                       73
<PAGE>
 
preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement
entered into by the Agent or such Bank in its discretion) to be repaid to a
trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any Insolvency
Proceeding or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery the obligation
or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and
continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such
set-off had not occurred, and (b) each Bank severally agrees to pay to the Agent
upon demand its pro rata share or other applicable share of any amount so
recovered from or repaid by the Agent.

     10.07 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns, except that neither of the Companies may assign or
transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior
written consent of the Agent and each Bank.

     10.08 Assignments, Participations, etc.

     (a) Any Bank may, with the written consent of the Companies (at all times
other than during the existence of an Event of Default) and the Agent, which
consent of the Agent shall not be unreasonably withheld, at any time assign and
delegate to one or more Eligible Assignees (provided that no written consent of
the Companies or the Agent shall be required in connection with any assignment
and delegation by a Bank to an Eligible Assignee that is an Affiliate of such
Bank) (each an "Assignee") all, or any ratable part of all, of the Loans, the
Commitment and the other rights and obligations of such Bank hereunder, in a
minimum amount of $10,000,000; provided (that such minimum amount shall not
apply to any assignment and obligation by a Bank to an Eligible Assignee which
is already a Bank), however, that the Companies and the Agent may continue to
deal solely and directly with such Bank in connection with the interest so
assigned to an Assignee until (i) written notice of such assignment, together
with payment instructions, addresses and related information with respect to the
Assignee, shall have been given to the Companies and the Agent by such Bank and
the Assignee; (ii) such Bank and its Assignee shall have delivered to the
Companies and the Agent an Assignment and Acceptance in the form of Exhibit K
("Assignment and Acceptance") and (iii) the assignor Bank or Assignee has paid
to the Agent a processing fee in the amount of $2,500 .

     (b) From and after the date that the Agent notifies the assignor Bank that
it has received an executed Assignment and Acceptance and payment of the
above-referenced processing 

                                       74
<PAGE>
 
fee, (i) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that
rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such
Assignment and Acceptance, shall have the rights and obligations of a Bank under
the Loan Documents, and (ii) the assignor Bank shall, to the extent that rights
and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents have been assigned
by it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be
released from its obligations under the Loan Documents.

     (c) Within five Business Days after receipt of notice by the Agent that the
Agent has received an executed Assignment and Acceptance and payment of the
processing fee, (and provided that each Company consents to such assignment in
accordance with subsection 10.08(a)), the Companies shall execute and deliver to
the Agent a Bid Loan Note for the Assignee (if the Assignee was not previously a
Bank under this Agreement) and, if the assignor Bank is not retaining any
interest in this Agreement such assignor Bank shall promptly cancel and return
its Bid Loan Note to the Agent for return to the Companies. Immediately upon
each Assignee's making its processing fee payment under the Assignment and
Acceptance, this Agreement shall be deemed to be amended to the extent, but only
to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition of the Assignee and the
resulting adjustment of the Commitments arising therefrom. The Commitment
allocated to each Assignee shall reduce such Commitments of the assigning Bank
pro tanto.

     (d) Any Bank may at any time sell to one or more commercial banks or other
Persons not Affiliates of the Companies (a "Participant") participating
interests in any Loans, the Commitment of that Bank and the other interests of
that Bank (the "originating Bank") hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;
provided, however, that (i) the originating Bank's obligations under this
Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) the originating Bank shall remain solely
responsible for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the Companies and the
Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with the originating Bank in
connection with the originating Bank's rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (iv) no Bank shall transfer or grant
any participating interest under which the Participant has rights to approve any
amendment to, or any consent or waiver with respect to, this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, except to the extent such amendment, consent or waiver
would require unanimous consent of the Banks as described in the first proviso
to Section 10.01. In the case of any such participation, the Participant shall
not have any rights under this Agreement, or any of the other Loan Documents,
and all amounts payable by the 

                                       75
<PAGE>
 
Companies hereunder shall be determined as if such Bank had not sold such
participation; except that, if amounts outstanding under this Agreement are due
and unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become due and payable
upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant shall be deemed to
have the right of set-off in respect of its participating interest in amounts
owing under this Agreement to the same extent as if the amount of its
participating interest were owing directly to it as a Bank under this Agreement.

     (e) Each Bank agrees to take normal and reasonable precautions and exercise
due care to maintain the confidentiality of all information identified as
"confidential" or "secret" by the Companies and provided to it by the Companies
or any Subsidiary, or by the Agent on such Companies' or Subsidiary's behalf,
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and neither it nor any of its
Affiliates shall use any such information other than in connection with or in
enforcement of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; except to the extent
such information (i) was or becomes generally available to the public other than
as a result of disclosure by the Bank, or (ii) was or becomes available on a
non-confidential basis from a source other than the Companies, provided that
such source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Companies known
to the Bank; provided, however, that any Bank may disclose such information (A)
at the request or pursuant to any requirement of any Governmental Authority to
which the Bank is subject or in connection with an examination of such Bank by
any such authority; (B) pursuant to subpoena or other court process; (C) when
required to do so in accordance with the provisions of any applicable
Requirement of Law; (D) to the extent reasonably required in connection with any
litigation or proceeding to which the Agent, any Bank or their respective
Affiliates may be party; (E) to the extent reasonably required in connection
with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Loan Document; (F)
to such Bank's independent auditors and other professional advisors; (G) to any
Affiliate of such Bank, or to any Participant or Assignee, actual or potential,
provided that such Affiliate, Participant or Assignee agrees to keep such
information confidential to the same extent required of the Banks hereunder, and
(H) as to any Bank, as expressly permitted under the terms of any other document
or agreement regarding confidentiality to which the Companies is party or is
deemed party with such Bank. In the event disclosure is required in connection
with (B), (C) or (D), the Bank required to disclose shall use its best efforts
to promptly notify the Companies prior to the date of required disclosure if
practicable under the circumstances.

                                       76
<PAGE>
 
     (f) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, any Bank may at
any time create a security interest in, or pledge, all or any portion of its
rights under and interest in this Agreement and any Note held by it in favor of
any Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the FRB or U.S.
Treasury Regulation 31 CFR ?203.14, and such Federal Reserve Bank may enforce
such pledge or security interest in any manner permitted under applicable law.

     (g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section
10.08 but subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this subsection (g),
any Bank may from time to time, elect to designate a Conduit to provide all or
any part of Loans required to be made by such Bank to the Borrower pursuant to
this Agreement or to acquire a participation interest in any Loans extended by
such Bank hereunder (a "Conduit Designation"), provided the designation of a
Conduit by any Bank for purposes of this Section 10.08(g) shall be subject to
the approval of the Companies. No additional Note shall be required with regard
to a Conduit Designation; provided, however, to the extent any Conduit shall
advance funds under a Conduit Designation, the designating Bank shall be deemed
to hold the Note in its possession as an agent for such Conduit to the extent of
the Loan funded by such Conduit. Notwithstanding any such Conduit Designation,
(x) the designating Bank shall remain solely responsible to the other parties
hereto for its obligations under this Agreement and (y) the Companies and the
Agent may continue to deal solely and directly with the designating Bank as
administrative agent for such designating Bank's Conduit, in connection with all
of such Conduit's rights and obligations under this Agreement, unless and until
the Companies and the Agent are notified that the designating Bank has been
replaced as administrative agent for its Conduit; any payments for the benefit
of any designating Bank and its Conduit shall be paid to such designating Bank
for itself as administrative agent for its Conduit, as applicable; provided
neither the Companies nor the Agent shall be responsible for any designating
Bank's application of any such payments. In addition, any Conduit may (i) with
notice to, but without prior written consent of the Companies and the Agent, and
without paying any processing fee therefor, assign all or portions of its
interest in any Loans to the Bank that designated such Conduit or to any
financial institutions consented to by the Companies and the Agent providing
liquidity and/or credit facilities to or for the account of such Conduit to
support the funding or maintenance of Loans and (ii) disclose on a confidential
basis any non-public information relating to its Loans to any rating agency,
commercial paper dealer or provider of any guarantee, surety, credit or
liquidity enhancement to such Conduit.

                                       77
<PAGE>
 
     (h) Each party to this Agreement hereby agrees that, at any time a Conduit
Designation is in effect, it shall not institute against, or join any other
person in instituting against, any Conduit any bankruptcy, reorganization,
arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceeding or other proceedings under any
federal or state bankruptcy or similar law, for one year and a day after the
latest maturing commercial paper note issued by such Conduit is paid. This
Section 10.08(h) shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

     10.09 Set-off. In addition to any rights and remedies of the Banks provided
by law, if an Event of Default exists or the Loans have been accelerated, each
Bank is authorized at any time and from time to time, without prior notice to
the Companies, any such notice being waived by the Companies to the fullest
extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or
special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held by, and other
indebtedness at any time owing by, such Bank to or for the credit or the account
of either of the Companies against any and all Obligations owing to such Bank,
now or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether or not the Agent or such Bank
shall have made demand under this Agreement or any Loan Document and although
such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured. Each Bank agrees promptly to
notify the Companies and the Agent after any such set-off and application made
by such Bank; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not
affect the validity of such set-off and application.

     10.10 Notification of Addresses, Lending Offices, Etc. Each Bank shall
notify the Agent in writing of any changes in the address to which notices to
the Bank should be directed, of addresses of any Lending Office, of payment
instructions in respect of all payments to be made to it hereunder and of such
other administrative information as the Agent shall reasonably request.

     10.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an
original, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to
constitute but one and the same instrument.

     10.12 Severability. The illegality or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder shall not in
any way affect or impair the 

                                       78
<PAGE>
 
legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement or any
instrument or agreement required hereunder.

     10.13 No Third Parties Benefited. This Agreement is made and entered into
for the sole protection and legal benefit of the Companies, the Banks, the Agent
and the Agent-Related Persons, and their permitted successors and assigns, and
no other Person shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of, or have any
direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this Agreement
or any of the other Loan Documents.

     10.14 Governing Law and Jurisdiction.

     (a) THIS AGREEMENT (AND THE NOTES) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; PROVIDED THAT THE AGENT AND
THE BANKS SHALL RETAIN ALL RIGHTS ARISING UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

     (b) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR OF
THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND BY EXECUTION AND
DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE COMPANIES, THE AGENT AND THE BANKS
CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS. EACH OF THE COMPANIES, THE AGENT AND THE BANKS
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE
OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER
HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT
OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO. THE COMPANIES, THE AGENT AND
THE BANKS EACH WAIVE PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR OTHER
PROCESS, WHICH MAY BE MADE BY ANY OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY NEW YORK LAW.

     10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE COMPANIES, THE BANKS AND THE AGENT EACH
WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION
BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, IN ANY ACTION,
PROCEEDING OR OTHER LITIGATION OF ANY TYPE BROUGHT BY ANY OF THE PARTIES AGAINST
ANY OTHER PARTY OR ANY AGENT-RELATED PERSON, PARTICIPANT OR ASSIGNEE, WHETHER
WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, OR OTHERWISE. THE COMPANIES, THE
BANKS AND THE AGENT EACH AGREE THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE
TRIED BY A COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THE
PARTIES FURTHER AGREE THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS WAIVED
BY OPERATION OF THIS SECTION AS TO ANY ACTION, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING

                                       79
<PAGE>
 
WHICH SEEKS, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF
THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY PROVISION HEREOF OR THEREOF.
THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR
MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

     10.16 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the other Loan
Documents, embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the Companies,
the Banks and the Agent, and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous agreements
and understandings of such Persons, verbal or written, relating to the subject
matter hereof and thereof.

     10.17 JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN THIS
AGREEMENT TO THE CONTRARY, EACH OBLIGATION (AS DEFINED HEREIN) SHALL BE A JOINT
AND SEVERAL OBLIGATION OF EACH OF THE COMPANIES AND THE AGENTS AND THE BANKS
SHALL HAVE FULL RECOURSE AGAINST EITHER OR BOTH OF THE COMPANIES FOR PAYMENT IN
FULL OF ALL SUCH OBLIGATIONS.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of
the day and year first above written.

                                       80
<PAGE>
 
                             ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC.


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title: Vice President-Finance/CFO


                             Address for notices:

                             St. Jude Medical, Inc.
                             One Lillehei Plaza
                             St. Paul, MN 55117
                             Attn:  Chief Financial Officer
                             Facsimile:  612/490-4333
                             Tel:  612/481-7542


                             PACESETTER, INC.


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title: Assistant Treasurer


                             Address for notices:

                             One Lillehei Plaza
                             St. Paul, MN 55117
                             Attn:  Chief Financial Officer
                             Facsimile:  612/490-4333
                             Tel:  612/481-7542

                                       81
<PAGE>
 
                             BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                             AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,
                             as Administrative Agent


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:  Mary Therese Carlson
                             Title: Vice President

                             Address for notices:

                             231 South LaSalle Street
                             Chicago, IL  60697
                             Attn:  Mary Therese Carlson
 
                             Address for payments:

                             Agency Administrative Services #5596
                             1850 Gateway Boulevard, 5th Fl.
                             Concord, California 94520-3281
                             Attn:  Alvin Johnson
                             Facsimile: (510)675-8426
                             Tel:  (510)675-8500


                             BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST
                             AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as a Bank


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:  Mary Therese Carlson
                             Title: Managing Director

                             Address for notices:

                             Domestic and Offshore Lending Office:
                             1850 Gateway Boulevard, 3rd. Fl.
                             Concord, California 94520
                             Attn:  Lisa George
                             Facsimile:  510/603-8211
                             Tel:  510/675-7740

                             with a copy of each notice to:

                                       82
<PAGE>
 
                             Bank of America National Trust and 
                               Savings Association
                             231 South LaSalle Street
                             Chicago, Illinois 60697
                             Attention:  Mary Therese Carlson
                             Facsimile: 312/987-1276
                             Telephone:  312/828-7968


                             CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:  Robert B. Potter
                             Title:  Vice President
 
                             -----------------------------------
                             By:  Thomas G. Muoio
                             Title:  Vice President


                             Address for notices:

                             11 Madison Avenue
                             New York, NY  10010-3629
                             Attn:  Robert B. Potter
                             Tel:  212/325-9154
                             Facsimile:  212/325-8319


                             THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO


                             -----------------------------------
                             By: Scott D. Moreen
                             Title: Vice President
 
                             Address for notices:

                             One First National Plaza
                             Suite 0173
                             Chicago, IL  60670
                             Attn:  J. Garland Smith
                             Tel: 312/732-2735
                             Facsimile:  312/732-1117
 

                                       83
<PAGE>
 
                             U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:  David A. Shapiro
                             Title:


                             Address for notices:

                             U.S. Bank National Association
                             601 Second Avenue South, MPFP-0609
                             Minneapolis, MN 55402
                             Attention:  David A. Shapiro
                             Tel:  612/973-0511
                             Facsimile:  612/973-0822


                             NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA,N.A.



                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:
                             Address for notices:

                             Norwest Center
                             Sixth and Marquette
                             Minneapolis, MN  55479
                             Attn:  Scott Bjelde
                             Tel:  612/667-6126
                             Facsimile:  612/667-4145
 

                                       84
<PAGE>
 
                             THE BANK OF NEW YORK
 


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:


                             Address for notices:
                             1 Wall Street, 19th Fl.
                             New York, NY  10286
                             Attn:  Rich Raffetto
                             Tel:  212/635-8044
                             Facsimile:  212/635-5272



                             BANQUE PARIBAS


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:
 
 
                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:

 
                             Address for notices:

                                       85
<PAGE>
 
                             227 West Monroe, Suite 3300
                             Chicago, IL  60606
                             Attn:  Karen E. Coons
                             Tel:  312/853-6011
                             Facsimile:  312/853-6020
 



                             THE BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI, LTD.,
                             CHICAGO BRANCH
 


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:  Jeffrey Arnold
                             Title:  Vice President

 
                             Address for notices:

                             227 West Monroe, Suite 2300
                             Chicago, IL  60606
                             Attn:  Loan Administration
                             Tel:  312/696-4710
                             Facsimile:  312/696-4532



                             SUNTRUST BANK, CENTRAL FLORIDA, NATIONAL
                             ASSOCIATION
 

                                       86
<PAGE>
 
                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:
 

                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:

 
                             Address for notices:

                             200 South Orange Ave
                             Mail Code  1108
                             Orlando, FL  32801
                             Attn:  Joe Kabourek
                             Tel:  407/237-4855
                             Facsimile:  407/237-5342



                             WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.
 


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:

 
                             Address for notices:

                             191 Peachtree St. N.E.
                             Atlanta, GA  30303
                             Attn:  Frances W. Josephic
                             Tel:  404/332-4132
                             Facsimile:  404/332-6898
 

                                       87
<PAGE>
 
                             ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
 


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:

 
                             -----------------------------------
                             By:  John P. Richardson
                             Title:  Assistant Vice President

 
                             Address for notices:

                             4100 U.S. Bank Place
                             601 Second Ave. S.
                             Minneapolis, MN  55402
                             Attn:  Peter L. Eaton
                             Tel:  612/337-9865
                             Facsimile:  612/338-8687

                                       88
<PAGE>
 
                             With a copy of each notice to:

                             135 South LaSalle Street, Suite 2805
                             Chicago, IL  60603
                             Attn:  Credit Administration
                             Tel:  312/904-8835
                             Facsimile:  312/904-8840



                             BANCA COMMERCIALE ITALIANA,  CHICAGO
                             BRANCH
 

                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:

                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:

 
                             Address for notices:

                             New York Branch
                             One William Street
                             New York, NY  10004
                             Attn:  Johnathan Sahr
                             Tel:  212/607-3814
                             Facsimile:  212/422-6651

                                       89
<PAGE>
 
                             BANCO CENTRAL HISPANOAMERICANO S.A.
 


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:

 
                             Address for notices:

                             50 Broadway
                             New York, NY  10004
                             Attn:  Luis M. Ferreira
                             Tel:  212/361-5149
                             Facsimile:  212/361-5139



                             BANCA POPOLARE DI MILANO
 


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:  Anthony Franco
                             Title:  Executive Vice President and
                             General Manager

                             -----------------------------------
                             By:  Esperanza Quintero
                             Title:  Vice President
 
                             Address for notices:

                             375 Park Avenue
                             9th Floor
                             New York, NY  10152

                                       90
<PAGE>
 
                             Attn:  Esperanza Quintero
                             Tel:  212/758-5040
                             Facsimile:  212/838-1077


                             BANQUE NATIONALE DE PARIS
 


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:

 
                             Address for notices:

                             209 S. LaSalle St.
                             Chicago, IL  60604
                             Attn:  Jo Ellen Bender
                             Tel:  312/8977-2225
                             Facsimile:  312/977-1380



                             CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ
 


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:
 

                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:

                                       91
<PAGE>
 
                             Address for notices:

                             55 E. Monroe St.  Suite 4700
                             Chicago, IL  60603
                             Attn:  Richard Drennan
                             Tel:  312/917-7441
                             Facsimile:  312/372-3724


                             FIRSTAR BANK OF MINNESOTA, N.A.
 


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:

 
                             Address for notices:

                             101 East 5th Street
                             St. Paul, MN  55101
                             Attn:  Karen S. Paris
                             Tel:  612/225-3842
                             Facsimile:  612/298-6351



                             KREDIETBANK N.V.
 


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:

 
                             Address for notices:

                                       92
<PAGE>
 
                             125 West 55th Street
                             New York, NY  10019
                             Attn:  John Thierfelder
                             Tel:  212/541-0727
                             Facsimile:  212/541-0793


                             MERITA BANK LTD.
 

                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title:

 
                             Address for notices:

                             437 Madison Avenue 21st. Fl.
                             New York, NY  10022
                             Attn:  Frank Maffei
                             Tel:  212/318-9561
                             Facsimile:  212-421-4420



                             REPUBLIC NATIONAL BANK OF NEW YORK
 


                             -----------------------------------
                             By:

                                       93
<PAGE>
 
                             Title:

 
                             Address for notices:

                             452 Fifth Ave. - 25th Fl.
                             New York, NY  10018
                             Attn:  Gary Weiss
                             Tel:  212/525-6387
                             Facsimile:  212/525-8370

                                       94


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