IRVINE, Calif., April 16, 2008 -- Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW), a world leader in the products and technologies to treat advanced cardiovascular disease, announced today that Vernon R. Loucks Jr. is retiring from the company's board of directors, effective May 31, 2008.

Loucks, who is chairman of the Aethena Group, LLC, has been a director of Edwards since 2000, when the company was spun off from Baxter International Inc. as an independent, publicly-held corporation. Loucks previously served as Baxter's chairman and CEO.

"I want to express my sincere gratitude to Vern for his many contributions to Edwards both prior to and since our spin-off," said Michael A. Mussallem, Edwards' chairman and CEO. "He has been an exceptional advisor and significant partner to Edwards over the years. Vern's experience and perspective have been valuable to me professionally and personally, and I want to thank him for his commitment to Edwards."

About Edwards Lifesciences

Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader in the science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Edwards treats advanced cardiovascular disease with its market-leading heart valve therapies, and critical care and vascular technologies. In 2008, Edwards celebrates 50 years of partnering with clinicians to develop life-saving innovations. The company's global brands, which are sold in approximately 100 countries, include CardioVations, Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, FloTrac, Fogarty, PERIMOUNT Magna and Swan-Ganz. Additional company information can be found at http://www.edwards.com.

Edwards is a trademark of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. Edwards Lifesciences, the stylized E logo, CardioVations, Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, FloTrac, Fogarty, PERIMOUNT Magna and Swan-Ganz are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation and are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.