Boston Scientific Resolves Outstanding Litigation Matter, Finalizes Goodwill Impairm...(re most comparable to non-GAAP net incom...)

Use and Economic Substance of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Used by Boston Scientific

Management uses these supplemental non-GAAP measures to evaluate performance period over period, to analyze the underlying trends in the Company's business, to assess its performance relative to its competitors, and to establish operational goals and forecasts that are used in allocating resources. In addition, management uses these non-GAAP measures to further its understanding of the performance of the Company's operating segments. The adjustments excluded from the Company's non-GAAP measures are consistent with those excluded from its reportable segments' measure of profit or loss. These adjustments are excluded from the segment measures that are reported to the Company's chief operating decision maker and are used to make operating decisions and assess performance.

The following is an explanation of each of the adjustments that management excluded as part of its non-GAAP measures for the three months ended December 31, 2008, as well as reasons for excluding each of these individual items:

• Goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges - These amounts represent non-cash write-downs of certain of the Company's goodwill and other intangible assets. Following the Company's acquisition of Guidant in 2006, and the related increase in the Company's debt, management has heightened its focus on cash generation and debt pay down. Management removes the impact of these charges from the Company's operating performance to assist in assessing the Company's cash generated from operations. Management believes this is a critical metric for the Company
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