UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2005
	or
o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 1-15525

EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	36-4316614 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
One Edwards Way, Irvine, California (Address of principal executive offices)	92614 (Zip Code)

(949) 250-2500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $1.00 par value, as of October 31, 2005, was 59,463,742.

EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page Number
Part I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)		1
	Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets		1
	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations		2
	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows		3
	Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements		4
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		13
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		23
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		24
Part II.	OTHER INFORMATION		25
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		25
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		25
Item 6.	Exhibits		26
Signature			27
Exhibits			28

Part I. Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
(in millions, except share data)

	September 30, 2005				December 31, 2004
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	88.0			$	48.9
Accounts and other receivables, net of allowances of $5.3 and $5.2, respectively		125.9				119.4
Inventories		135.5				127.7
Deferred income taxes		13.9				21.1
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		67.1				50.4
Total current assets		430.4				367.5
Property, plant and equipment, net		192.1				201.7
Goodwill		337.7				337.7
Other intangible assets, net		141.8				152.6
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates		14.5				20.6
Deferred income taxes		18.9				22.3
Other assets		9.6				10.3
		$	1,145.0			$	1,112.7
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	204.6			$	195.4
Long-term debt		251.5				267.1
Other long-term liabilities		29.7				22.1
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $1.00 par value, 350,000,000 shares authorized, 65,370,133 and 64,242,836 shares issued, 59,735,133 and 59,438,236 shares outstanding at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively		65.4				64.2
Additional contributed capital		528.0				500.6
Retained earnings		264.7				224.1
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(22.5		)		(20.8		)
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 5,635,000 and 4,804,600 shares at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively		(176.4		)		(140.0		)
Total stockholders’ equity		659.2				628.1
		$	1,145.0			$	1,112.7

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated condensed financial statements.

EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
(in millions, except per share information)

	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005			2004		2005			2004
Net sales	$	240.9		$	224.8	$	748.2		$	694.4
Cost of goods sold	90.9			87.9		285.0			279.0
Gross profit	150.0			136.9		463.2			415.4
Selling, general and administrative expenses	85.9			79.7		261.6			237.2
Research and development expenses	24.0			21.9		73.2			63.6
Purchased in-process research and development expenses	1.2			12.3		1.2			93.3
Special charges, net	21.4			—		47.0			12.3
Interest expense, net	2.2			3.4		8.3			10.7
Other (income) expense, net	—			0.1		(1.3		)	2.3
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	15.3			19.5		73.2			(4.0		)
Provision for income taxes	19.7			7.1		32.5			20.2
Net (loss) income	$	(4.4	)	$	12.4	$	40.7		$	(24.2	)
Share information:
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$	(0.07	)	$	0.21	$	0.68		$	(0.41	)
Diluted	$	(0.07	)	$	0.20	$	0.65		$	(0.41	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	59.8			59.7		59.6			59.6
Diluted	59.8			62.1		62.4			59.6

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated condensed financial statements.

EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(in millions)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005			2004
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$	40.7		$	(24.2	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	41.8			40.2
Deferred income taxes	(4.3		)	1.8
Purchased in-process research and development	1.2			93.3
Special charges	6.2			12.3
Other	15.3			13.0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables, net	(11.8		)	9.9
Proceeds from accounts receivable securitization, net	(10.1		)	(6.9		)
Inventories	(14.9		)	(7.1		)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	33.5			5.7
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(4.2		)	(11.9		)
Other	(0.9		)	(3.3		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	92.5			122.8
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(26.6		)	(22.8		)
Investments in intangible assets	(2.1		)	(8.5		)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	(0.8		)	(1.0		)
Acquisitions	—			(132.7		)
Proceeds from sale of business	9.2			2.9
Proceeds from asset dispositions	1.4			3.5
Other investing activities	0.5			—
Net cash used in investing activities	(18.4		)	(158.6		)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	217.8			200.0
Payments on long-term debt	(226.9		)	(182.5		)
Purchases of treasury stock	(36.4		)	(33.5		)
Proceeds from stock plans	22.1			23.2
Other financing activities	(2.8		)	(1.8		)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(26.2		)	5.4
Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(8.8		)	0.3
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	39.1			(30.1		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	48.9			61.1
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	88.0		$	31.0
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
Installment purchase of patents	$	8.0		—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated condensed financial statements.

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
September 30, 2005
(unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

These interim consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to classifications used in the current period.

In the opinion of management of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (the “Company” or “Edwards Lifesciences”), the interim consolidated condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the interim periods. All such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full year.

The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” in accounting for its stock plans. In accordance with this intrinsic value method, no compensation expense is recognized for these plans. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation,” (in millions, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005			2004			2005			2004
Net (loss) income, as reported	$	(4.4	)	$	12.4		$	40.7		$	(24.2	)
Add: Stock-based employee compensation included in reported net (loss) income, net of related taxes	0.6			—			0.9			—
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of tax	(3.8		)	(4.0		)	(11.5		)	(11.4		)
Pro forma net (loss) income	$	(7.6	)	$	8.4		$	30.1		$	(35.6	)
Earnings per basic share:
Reported net (loss) income	$	(0.07	)	$	0.21		$	0.68		$	(0.41	)
Pro forma net (loss) income	$	(0.13	)	$	0.14		$	0.51		$	(0.60	)
Earnings per diluted share:
Reported net (loss) income	$	(0.07	)	$	0.20		$	0.65		$	(0.41	)
Pro forma net (loss) income	$	(0.13	)	$	0.14		$	0.48		$	(0.60	)

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Continued)
September 30, 2005
(unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Continued)

Pro forma compensation expense for stock options and employee stock purchase subscriptions was calculated using the Black-Scholes model. The pro forma expense for stock option grants was calculated with the following weighted-average assumptions for grants during the following periods:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005		2004		2005		2004
Risk-free interest rate	3.8	%	3.5	%	3.8	%	3.4	%
Expected dividend yield	None		None		None		None
Expected volatility	28	%	40	%	30	%	41	%
Expected life (years)	4		4		4		4

The pro forma expense for employee stock purchase subscriptions was calculated with the following weighted-average assumptions for grants during the following periods:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005		2004		2005		2004
Risk-free interest rate	3.7	%	2.3	%	3.5	%	2.1	%
Expected dividend yield	None		None		None		None
Expected volatility	23	%	40	%	23	%	40	%
Expected life (years)	1		1		1		1

2. PURCHASED IN PROCESS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE

In September 2005, the Company recorded a $1.2 million dollar pretax charge for in-process research and development related to a technology acquisition.

On September 29, 2004, the Company acquired all technology and intellectual property associated with ev3, Inc.’s (“ev3”) percutaneous mitral valve repair program for total consideration of $15.0 million. The acquisition is expected to be utilized in the Company’s existing percutaneous mitral valve repair research and development efforts. At the time of the purchase, ev3 had been unsuccessful in developing a viable prototype and had discontinued the program. Additional design developments, bench testing, pre-clinical studies and human clinical studies must be successfully completed prior to selling any product. The risks and uncertainties associated with completing development within a reasonable period of time include those related to the design, development and manufacturability of the product, the success of pre-clinical and clinical studies, and the timing of European and United States regulatory approvals. Approximately $12.3 million of the purchase price was charged to in-process research and development. The value of the in-process research and development was calculated using cash flow projections discounted for the risk inherent in such projects. The discount rate used was 30%. The valuation assumed approximately $39 million of additional research and development expenditures would be incurred prior to the date of product introduction. In the valuation, the Company estimated completion of the mitral valve repair program in 2009 utilizing the intellectual property acquired from ev3 and commencement of net cash

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Continued)
September 30, 2005
(unaudited)

2. PURCHASED IN PROCESS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE (Continued)

inflows in 2010. The remaining fair market value of the assets purchased consisted primarily of patents unrelated to ev3’s core mitral valve repair technology, which are being amortized over their estimated economic life of 19 years.

On January 27, 2004, the Company acquired Percutaneous Valve Technologies, Inc. (“PVT”), a development stage company, for $125.0 million in cash, net of cash acquired, plus up to an additional $30.0 million upon the achievement of key milestones through 2007. Included in PVT’s technology is a catheter-based (percutaneous) approach for replacing aortic heart valves, comprised of a proprietary percutaneously-delivered, balloon-expandable stent technology integrated with a tissue heart valve. Unlike conventional open-heart valve replacement surgery, this less-invasive procedure can be performed under local anesthesia and could potentially be a breakthrough for patients seeking an alternative to open-heart surgery.

At the time of acquisition, the PVT aortic heart valve was being used in compassionate cases in Europe, and these clinical results had generated valuable feasibility data. It had been demonstrated that a heart valve could be successfully deployed and anchored using a catheter-based system. Also at that time, the Company was expecting to obtain a CE mark in Europe by the end of 2005 and to file for a Humanitarian Device Exemption (“HDE”) in the United States. Upon approval of the HDE, the Company would be able to offer this device to as many as 4,000 patients per year. Broader commercialization in the United States was expected to begin with the submission of an Investigational Device Exemption (“IDE”) by the end of the second quarter of 2004 followed by the commencement of a pivotal trial in 2005 and possible pre-market approval by the end of 2007. The risks and uncertainties associated with completing development within a reasonable period of time included those related to the design, development and manufacturability of the product, the success of pre-clinical and clinical studies and the timing of European and United States regulatory approvals.

Approximately $81.0 million of the purchase price was charged to in-process research and development. The value of the in-process research and development was calculated using cash flow projections discounted for the risk inherent in such projects. The discount rate used was 25%. The valuation assumed approximately $20.9 million of additional research and development expenditures would be incurred prior to the date of product introduction. In the valuation, net cash inflows were forecasted to commence in 2007. The remaining fair market value of the net assets acquired consisted primarily of patents of $72.4 million that are being amortized over their estimated economic life of 11 years, and a deferred tax liability related to the patents of $28.1 million.

The information in this Note 2 related to the achievement of regulatory milestones reflects the Company’s expectations at the time of the respective acquisitions and has not been updated to reflect subsequent activities and expectations.

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Continued)
September 30, 2005
(unaudited)

3. SPECIAL CHARGES, NET

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005			2004			2005			2004
Charitable fund	$	15.0			$	—	$	15.0		$	—
Asset impairments	8.9				—		13.7			1.7
Intellectual property litigation gain	(2.5		)		—		(2.5		)	—
Restructuring of 3F agreements	—				—		22.8			—
Sale of business	—				—		(2.0		)	—
Discontinued products	—				—		—			10.6
Special charges, net	$	21.4			$	—	$	47.0		$	12.3

Charitable Fund

In September 2005, the Company recorded a charge of $15.0 million for an irrevocable contribution to a third party to complete the creation of a charitable fund.

Asset Impairments

In September 2005, the Company recorded a non-cash special charge of $8.9 million related to the other-than-temporary impairment of an investment in an unconsolidated affiliate.

In June 2005, the Company recorded a non-cash special charge of $4.8 million related to the other-than-temporary impairment of investments in two unconsolidated affiliates.

In June 2004, the Company recorded a non-cash special charge of $1.7 million related to the other-than-temporary impairment of investments in two unconsolidated affiliates.

Intellectual Property Litigation Gain

In September 2005, the Company recorded a net gain of $2.5 million related to intellectual property litigation.

Restructure of 3F Agreements

In June 2005, the Company recorded a special charge of $22.8 million related to the restructuring of development and supply agreements between 3F Therapeutics, Inc. and PVT that were established prior to the Company’s acquisition of PVT in early 2004. Under the terms of the new agreements, the Company paid $23.0 million in cash with an additional payment of $2.0 million, to be paid if certain conditions are met, and obtained the rights to self-manufacture all components of its percutaneous heart valves and certain technology licenses. The Company recorded $0.2 million to patents and trademarks related to the licenses.

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Continued)
September 30, 2005
(unaudited)

3. SPECIAL CHARGES, NET (Continued)

Sale of Business

In January 2005, the Company announced that it was realigning its business in Japan as part of the Company’s continued efforts to focus on its core cardiovascular businesses. The Company sold its perfusion products business in Japan to Terumo Corporation for cash consideration of between $10 million and $20 million based upon the achievement of certain milestones, of which $9.2 million was received in January 2005. The Company exited its pacemaker distribution business in Japan and restructured its Japanese operations. These transactions resulted in a net $2.0 million pre-tax special credit, consisting of a gain on the sale of the Company’s Japan perfusion products business of $7.7 million offset by a $5.7 million charge relating to the realignment of its operations, primarily related to severance costs due to headcount reductions. As of September 30, 2005, the Company had paid $2.8 million related to severance with the remaining amount to be paid by September 2006.

Discontinued Products

In March 2004, due to a re-prioritization of the Company’s investment initiatives, the Company discontinued its sales effort of its Lifepath AAA endovascular graft program. Edwards Lifesciences recorded a special charge of $8.4 million primarily related to inventory and contractual clinical obligations. In addition, the Company decided to discontinue certain lower margin cardiology products in Japan later that year and recorded a $2.2 million charge in 2004 primarily related to other non-productive assets.

4. INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following (in millions):

	September 30, 2005			December 31, 2004
Raw materials		$	23.5		$	22.2
Work in process		22.5			18.9
Finished products		89.5			86.6
		$	135.5		$	127.7

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Continued)
September 30, 2005
(unaudited)

5. OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Other intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following (in millions):

September 30, 2005	Patents			Unpatented Technology				Other			Total
Cost	$	195.6			$	36.4		$	22.0		$	254.0
Accumulated amortization	(86.7		)		(22.4		)	(3.1		)	(112.2		)
Net carrying value	$	108.9			$	14.0		$	18.9		$	141.8

December 31, 2004	Patents			Unpatented Technology				Other			Total
Cost	$	196.3			$	36.4		$	23.8		$	256.5
Accumulated amortization	(78.6		)		(20.6		)	(4.7		)	(103.9		)
Net carrying value	$	117.7			$	15.8		$	19.1		$	152.6

Amortization expense related to other intangible assets was $4.4 million and $5.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively and $13.2 million and $12.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

Estimated amortization expense for each of the five years ending December 31 is as follows (in millions):

2005	$	16.5
2006	18.6
2007	18.7
2008	18.7
2009	17.6

6. DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS

The components of net periodic benefit costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, are as follows (in millions):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005			2004			2005			2004
Service cost	$	0.8		$	0.7		$	2.3		$	2.0
Expected employee contributions	(0.1		)	(0.1		)	(0.2		)	(0.2		)
Interest cost	0.6			0.5			1.7			1.4
Expected return on plan assets	(0.5		)	(0.5		)	(1.5		)	(1.4		)
Amortization of prior service cost and other	0.1			0.1			0.4			0.2
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	0.9		$	0.7		$	2.7		$	2.0

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Continued)
September 30, 2005
(unaudited)

7. INCOME TAXES

The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”) allows companies to repatriate cash into the United States at a special, temporary effective tax rate of 5.25 percent. On September 13, 2005, the Board of Directors approved management’s plan for reinvestment and repatriation of specific foreign earnings under the Act. Through September 30, 2005 the Company has repatriated $121.0 million and has determined that it will repatriate an additional $142.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. In September 2005, the Company accrued $15.8 million for federal, state, and foreign taxes attributable to the distribution of $263.1 million from its foreign affiliates.

8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

On August 18, 2003, Edwards Lifesciences filed a lawsuit against Medtronic, Inc., Medtronic AVE, Cook, Inc. and W.L. Gore & Associates alleging infringement of a patent exclusively licensed to the Company. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief. On September 2, 2003, a second patent exclusively licensed to the Company was added to the lawsuit. Each of the defendants has answered and asserted various affirmative defenses and counterclaims. Discovery is proceeding.

In addition, Edwards Lifesciences is or may be a party to, or may be otherwise responsible for, pending or threatened lawsuits related primarily to products and services currently or formerly manufactured or performed, as applicable, by Edwards Lifesciences. Such cases and claims raise difficult and complex factual and legal issues and are subject to many uncertainties and complexities, including, but not limited to, the facts and circumstances of each particular case or claim, the jurisdiction in which each suit is brought, and differences in applicable law. Upon resolution of any pending legal matters, Edwards Lifesciences may incur charges in excess of presently established reserves. While any such charge could have a material adverse impact on Edwards Lifesciences’ net income or liquidity in the period in which it is recorded or paid, management does not believe that any such charge would have a material adverse effect on Edwards Lifesciences’ consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Edwards Lifesciences is also subject to various environmental laws and regulations both within and outside of the United States. The operations of Edwards Lifesciences, like those of other medical device companies, involve the use of substances regulated under environmental laws, primarily in manufacturing and sterilization processes. While it is difficult to quantify the potential impact of compliance with environmental protection laws, management believes that such compliance will not have a material impact on Edwards Lifesciences’ consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Continued)
September 30, 2005
(unaudited)

9. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Reconciliation of net income (loss) to comprehensive income (loss) is as follows (in millions):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005			2004			2005			2004
Net (loss) income	$	(4.4	)	$	12.4		40.7			$	(24.2	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Currency translation adjustments	0.1			5.4			(19.2		)	(0.8		)
Unrealized net gain (loss) on investments in unconsolidated affiliates	0.6			(3.1		)	(9.1		)	(9.4		)
Reclassification adjustments for other than temporary impairments	8.9			—			13.7			1.7
Unrealized net gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax	1.8			1.3			13.1			7.0
Pension adjustment, net of tax	—			(0.1		)	(0.2		)	(0.1		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	7.0		$	15.9		$	39.0		$	(25.8	)

10. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average common shares outstanding during a period. Diluted earnings per share is based on the treasury stock method and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares and potential common share equivalents outstanding during the periods presented assuming the exercise of all the in-the money stock options and conversion of contingently convertible senior debentures. Potential common share equivalents have been excluded where their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. A reconciliation of the shares used in the basic and diluted per share computation is as follows (in millions):

	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005	2004	2005	2004
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	59.8	59.7	59.6	59.6
Dilutive effect of employee stock plans	—	2.4	2.8	—
Dilutive weighted average shares outstanding	59.8	62.1	62.4	59.6

The effect of approximately 2.7 million potential common share equivalents relating to the Company’s $150.0 million convertible debentures due 2033 has been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 because the result is anti-dilutive. As the Company incurred a net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, diluted earnings per share excludes 2.7 million and 2.4 million weighted average shares, respectively, of potential common share equivalents from employee stock plans as the effect is anti-dilutive. Diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 excludes 0.9 million shares related to options as the exercise price per share was greater than the average market price, resulting in an anti-dilutive effect.

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Continued)
September 30, 2005
(unaudited)

11. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Edwards Lifesciences manages its business on the basis of one reportable segment. The Company’s products and technologies share similar distribution channels and customers and are sold principally to hospitals and physicians. Management evaluates its various global product portfolios on a revenue basis, which is presented below, and profitability is evaluated on an enterprise-wide basis due to shared infrastructures. Edwards Lifesciences’ principal markets are the United States, Europe and Japan.

Geographic area data includes net sales, based on product shipment destination, and long-lived tangible assets, based on physical location.

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005		2004		2005		2004
	(in millions)
Net Sales by Geographic Area
United States	$	113.0	$	102.6	$	343.2	$	311.5
Europe	54.1		50.6		180.8		164.0
Japan	45.4		47.3		141.2		147.7
Other countries	28.4		24.3		83.0		71.2
	$	240.9	$	224.8	$	748.2	$	694.4
Net Sales by Major Product Lines
Heart Valve Therapy	$	112.9	$	101.0	$	355.3	$	314.2
Critical Care	78.1		72.0		239.6		222.7
Cardiac Surgery Systems	27.4		27.5		78.8		80.5
Vascular	15.6		14.3		48.8		44.6
Other Distributed Products	6.9		10.0		25.7		32.4
	$	240.9	$	224.8	$	748.2	$	694.4

	September 30, 2005			December 31, 2004
	(in millions)
Long-Lived Tangible Assets by Geographic Area
United States		$	154.4		$	172.8
Other countries		61.8			59.8
		$	216.2		$	232.6

12. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On November 3, 2005, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its vascular graft business for approximately $14 million. The agreement is subject to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, and the transaction is expected to be completed in December 2005.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company intends the forward-looking statements contained in this report to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of such Acts. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this report or referred to or incorporated by reference into this report are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of these sections. These statements include, among other things, any predictions of earnings, revenues, expenses or other financial items, any statements of plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, any statements concerning the Company’s future operations, financial conditions and prospects, and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. These statements can sometimes be identified by the use of the forward-looking words such as “may,” “believe,” “will,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “should,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “continue,” “seek,” “pro forma,” “forecast,” or “intend” or other similar words or expressions of the negative thereof. Investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s future business, financial condition, results of operations, or performance to differ materially from the Company’s historical results or those expressed in any forward-looking statements contained in this report. Investors should carefully review the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 for a description of certain of these risks and uncertainties.

Overview

Edwards Lifesciences is a global provider of products and technologies that are designed to treat advanced cardiovascular disease. Edwards Lifesciences focuses on providing products and technologies to address specific cardiovascular opportunities: heart valve disease; critical care technologies; and peripheral vascular disease.

The products and services provided by Edwards Lifesciences to treat cardiovascular disease are categorized into five main areas: Heart Valve Therapy; Critical Care; Cardiac Surgery Systems; Vascular; and Other Distributed Products.

Edwards Lifesciences’ heart valve therapy portfolio is comprised of tissue heart valves and heart valve repair products. A pioneer in the development and commercialization of heart valve products, Edwards Lifesciences is the world’s leading manufacturer of tissue heart valves and repair products used to replace or repair a patient’s diseased or defective heart valve. In the critical care area, Edwards Lifesciences is a world leader in hemodynamic monitoring systems used to measure a patient’s heart function, in disposable pressure transducers, and in central venous access products for fluid and drug delivery. The Company’s cardiac surgery systems portfolio comprises a diverse line of products for use during cardiac surgery including oxygenators, blood containers, filters and other disposable products used during cardiopulmonary bypass procedures, as well as cannulae and transmyocardial revascularization (“TMR”) technology. Edwards Lifesciences’ vascular portfolio includes a line of balloon catheter-based products, surgical clips and inserts, artificial implantable grafts, and stents used in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. Lastly, other distributed products include sales of intra-aortic balloon pumps and other products sold primarily though the Company’s distribution network in Japan.

The health care marketplace continues to be competitive with strong local and global competitors. Global demand for healthcare is increasing as the population ages. There is mounting pressure to contain healthcare costs in the face of this increasing demand, which has resulted in pricing and market share pressures. Management expects these trends to continue.

Results of Operations

Net Sales Trends

The following is a summary of United States and international net sales (dollars in millions):

	Three Months Ended September 30,							Percent			Nine Months Ended September 30,							Percent
	2005		2004		Change			Change			2005		2004		Change			Change
United States	$	113.0	$	102.6		$	10.4		10.1	%	$	343.2	$	311.5		$	31.7		10.2	%
International	127.9		122.2			5.7			4.7	%	405.0		382.9			22.1			5.8	%
Total net sales	$	240.9	$	224.8		$	16.1		7.2	%	$	748.2	$	694.4		$	53.8		7.7	%

The increase in net sales in the United States for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 was due primarily to increased sales in heart valve therapy products, which was driven by the continuing penetration of the Company’s Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna valve and its Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna valve with ThermaFix, which led to market share gains.

The increase in international net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, can be explained primarily by:

· heart valve therapy products, which increased net sales by $3.0 million and $11.5 million, respectively, driven primarily by strong valve sales including the PrimaPlus stentless valve in Japan and, for the nine month period, strong PERIMOUNT valve sales in Europe;

· foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, which increased net sales by $1.5 million (primarily the strengthening of the Brazilian real against the United States dollar) and $12.0 million (primarily the Euro, Japanese yen and Brazilian real against the United States dollar) respectively; and

· critical care, vascular and cardiac surgery products, which increased net sales by $3.4 million and $10.5 million, respectively;

partially offset by a decrease in net sales of $3.1 million and $17.1 million, respectively, due to the impact of discontinued businesses.

The impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on net sales would not necessarily be indicative of the impact on net income due to the corresponding effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on international manufacturing and operating costs and the Company’s hedging activities.

Net Sales by Product Line

The following table is a summary of net sales by product line (dollars in millions):

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Percent			Nine Months Ended September 30,								Percent
	2005		2004		Change				Change			2005		2004		Change				Change
Heart Valve Therapy	$	112.9	$	101.0		$	11.9			11.8	%	$	355.3	$	314.2		$	41.1			13.1	%
Critical Care	78.1		72.0			6.1				8.5	%	239.6		222.7			16.9				7.6	%
Cardiac Surgery Systems	27.4		27.5			(0.1		)		(0.4	)%	78.8		80.5			(1.7		)		(2.1	)%
Vascular	15.6		14.3			1.3				9.1	%	48.8		44.6			4.2				9.4	%
Other Distributed Products	6.9		10.0			(3.1		)		(31.0	)%	25.7		32.4			(6.7		)		(20.7	)%
Total net sales	$	240.9	$	224.8		$	16.1			7.2	%	$	748.2	$	694.4		$	53.8			7.7	%

Heart Valve Therapy

The net sales growth of heart valve therapy products for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 resulted primarily from the following:

· pericardial tissue valves, which increased net sales by $9.1 million and $28.3 million, respectively; primarily as a result of market share gains globally of the Company’s Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna valve, particularly in the United States;

· repair products, which increased net sales by $2.6 million and $7.1 million, respectively; and

· foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, which increased heart valve therapy net sales by $0.2 million (primarily the strengthening of the Brazilian real against the United States dollar) and $4.3 million (primarily the Euro, Japanese yen and Brazilian real against the United States dollar), respectively.

Sales of heart valve therapy products continued to be strong this quarter driven by market share gains. During the year, the Company expanded the availability of its Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna valve and its Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna valve with ThermaFix, an anti-calcification tissue treatment process. The features and performance of these products continue to command a price premium. During the second quarter, the Company launched in the United States its PERIMOUNT Theon mitral pericardial valve system, which is based on its existing mitral pericardial technology, and includes enhancements and additional accessories along with its new ThermaFix process. This system has been well received by clinicians and was a notable contributor to heart valve therapy sales growth.

In September 2005, the Company introduced its new Magna mitral valve in Europe and expects to launch this product in the United States following FDA approval, which could be as early as the first half of 2006. Unlike most competitive tissue valves, Magna mitral is designed specifically for the requirements of the mitral position and includes a unique saddle shape that conforms to the native anatomy.

The Company expects to strengthen its market leadership position in heart valve repair products with the continuing adoption of its newest indication-specific products.

Critical Care

The net sales growth of critical care products for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 can be explained primarily by:

· pressure monitoring products, which increased net sales by $2.0 million and $5.8 million, respectively, driven primarily by market share gains;

· advanced technology catheters, which increased net sales by $1.7 million and $4.7 million, respectively;

· currency exchange rate fluctuations, which increased net sales by $0.6 million (primarily the strengthening of the Brazilian real against the United States dollar) and $4.5 million (primarily the Euro, Japanese yen and Brazilian real against the United States dollar), respectively; and

· an expanded hemofiltration product line, which increased net sales by $1.3 million and $3.6 million, respectively;

partially offset by decreased sales of base catheter products.

Minimally invasive monitoring systems, featuring the Company’s FloTrac system, represent a new and market-expanding opportunity for the Company. The Company launched its FloTrac system in Europe in the first quarter of 2005 and in the United States in April 2005. This quarter, the Company continued the introduction of the system and is continuing to conduct product evaluations in hospitals around the world.

Cardiac Surgery Systems

The net sales decrease of cardiac surgery systems for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 can be explained primarily by the sale of the Company’s perfusion products business in Japan in January 2005 and the sale of the Company’s Italian perfusion services businesses in June 2004, which together decreased net sales by $0.2 million and $6.9 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the decrease was partially offset by:

· cannula products, which increased net sales by $2.2 million driven primarily by market share gains and a shift to specialty products; and

· currency exchange rate fluctuations, which increased net sales by $1.8 million (primarily the Euro, Japanese yen and Brazilian real against the United States dollar).

In the second quarter of 2004, approximately $1.5 million sales of TMR lasers were deferred to the third quarter of 2004 pending the outcome of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services panel review. The result of the lower TMR laser sales in the second quarter of 2004 had the effect of increasing the year over year growth rate in the second quarter of 2005 and the higher sales in the third quarter of 2004 detracted from the third quarter 2005 year over year growth rate.

In January 2005, the Company sold its Japan perfusion products business and expects to complete transitioning the business to the buyer in 2006. Throughout the transition period, the Company will continue to act as supplier and expects sales to the buyer of approximately $12.0 million through the end of 2005.

Vascular

The net sales growth of vascular products for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 can be explained primarily by:

· LifeStent products, which increased net sales by $1.5 million and $3.9 million, respectively; and

· currency exchange rate fluctuations, which increased net sales by $0.2 million (primarily the strengthening of the Brazilian real against the United States dollar) and $1.1 million (primarily the Euro, Japanese yen and Brazilian real against the United States dollar), respectively.

The growth for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was partially offset by the discontinuation of the Lifepath AAA program in June 2004.

The third quarter 2005 sales of LifeStent products were below management’s expectations and only slightly higher than the prior quarter. The Company still expects to introduce longer sizes, as well as the LifeStent FlexStar self-expanding stent delivery system, in the first half of 2006.

Other Distributed Products

The decrease in net sales of other distributed products for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 can be explained primarily by the discontinuation of sales in Japan of certain lower margin distributed cardiology products in September 2004 and the exit from the Japan pacemaker business during the first quarter of 2005.

Gross Profit

	Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005		2004		Change			2005		2004		Change
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales	62.3	%	60.9	%		1.4	%	61.9	%	59.8	%		2.1	%

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2005 increased compared to the same period in the prior year due primarily to sales of higher margin heart valve products (1.3 percentage points).

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased compared to the same period in the prior year due primarily to a 1.2 percentage point increase from the favorable impact of foreign currency, including the expiration of currency hedging contracts in 2004, and sales of higher margin heart valve products.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses

(dollars in millions)

	Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005			2004			Change				2005			2004			Change
SG&A expenses	$	85.9		$	79.7			$	6.2		$	261.6		$	237.2			$	24.4
SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales	35.7		%	35.5		%		0.2		%	35.0		%	34.2		%		0.8		%

The increases in selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 resulted primarily from higher sales and marketing expenses primarily related to the Company’s United States peripheral stent and heart valve therapy products ($3.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively), higher international expenses due to foreign exchange rates ($0.5 million and $4.3 million, respectively), and higher legal and consulting expenses.

Research and Development Expenses

(dollars in millions)

	Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005			2004			Change				2005			2004			Change
Research and development expenses	$	24.0		$	21.9			$	2.1		$	73.2		$	63.6			$	9.6
Research and development expenses as a percentage of net sales	10.0		%	9.7		%		0.3		%	9.8		%	9.2		%		0.6		%

The increases in research and development expenses and research and development expenses as a percentage of net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 resulted primarily from additional investment in the Company’s percutaneous heart valve programs, including amortization of intangibles.

In June 2005, the Company announced that it is delaying enrollment in its percutaneous aortic heart valve clinical feasibility trials in the United States pending approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to incorporate a new retrograde delivery system and larger valve, which have been successfully used in Canada. The Company continues to expect that it will receive approval to resume its United States clinical feasibility trial by the end of the year. As reported in the second quarter, the Humanitarian Device Exemption (“HDE”) filing in the United States has been postponed. In Europe, where the Company has three clinical sites open, the Company has postponed opening additional sites while it awaits approval to add the retrograde system. In pursuit of a CE mark, the Company has completed multiple filings in both Europe and Canada to include the larger valve and retrograde system into its REVIVE trial and expects to incorporate these enhanced devices in the clinical studies before the end of this year. This is expected to delay CE mark approval by at least three to six months.

During this quarter, the Company completed the transition of valve manufacturing capability from the former PVT supplier to Edwards. Additionally, the Company received FDA approval for Edwards as a manufacturing site, and is currently producing percutaneous valves in Irvine.

In the Company’s edge-to-edge mitral repair program, enrollment was expected to continue through the end of 2005 in the ongoing feasibility study at additional sites in Europe and Canada. In early patient experience in the feasibility study, the Company identified two enhancements which include the ability to deploy multiple stitches during the procedure and device modifications to accommodate thicker mitral leaflets. The Company believes that these enhancements will enable it to treat a broader group of patients and achieve improved efficacy. As a result, the Company now expects to complete the feasibility trial in 2006, at which point the Company will finalize plans for the pivotal trial necessary to gain regulatory approval.

In the Company’s coronary sinus mitral repair program, the Company received regulatory approvals to resume feasibility studies in Canada and Europe with an enhanced device design and the feasibility studies have resumed. The Company now expects the feasibility study to extend into next year.

Purchased In-process Research and Development Expenses

In September 2005, the Company recorded a $1.2 million dollar pretax charge for in-process research and development related to a technology acquisition.

At the time of the acquisition, the PVT aortic heart valve was being used in compassionate cases in Europe, and these clinical results had generated valuable feasibility data. It had been demonstrated that a heart valve could be successfully deployed and anchored using a catheter-based system. Also at that time,

the Company was expecting to obtain a CE mark in Europe by the end of 2005 and to file for an HDE in the United States. Upon approval of the HDE, the Company would be able to offer this device to as many as 4,000 patients per year. Broader commercialization in the United States was expected to begin with the submission of an IDE by the end of the second quarter of 2004 followed by the commencement of a pivotal trial in 2005 and possible pre-market approval by the end of 2007. The risks and uncertainties associated with completing development within a reasonable period of time included those related to the design, development and manufacturability of the product, the success of pre-clinical and clinical studies and the timing of European and United States regulatory approvals.

The information in “Purchased in-process Research and Development Expenses” related to regulatory milestones reflects the Company’s expectations at the time of the respective acquisitions and has not been updated to reflect subsequent activities or expectations. Refer to “Research and Development Expenses” for updates to the Company’s expectations.

Special Charges, Net

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005			2004			2005			2004
Charitable fund	$	15.0			$	—	$	15.0		$	—
Asset impairments	8.9				—		13.7			1.7
Intellectual property litigation gain	(2.5		)		—		(2.5		)	—
Restructuring of 3F agreements	—				—		22.8			—
Sale of business	—				—		(2.0		)	—
Discontinued products	—				—		—			10.6
Special charges, net	$	21.4			$	—	$	47.0		$	12.3

Charitable Fund

In September 2005, the Company recorded a charge of $15.0 million for an irrevocable contribution to a third party to complete the creation of a charitable fund.

Asset Impairments

In September 2005, the Company recorded a non-cash special charge of $8.9 million related to the other-than-temporary impairment of an investment in an unconsolidated affiliate.

In June 2005, the Company recorded a non-cash special charge of $4.8 million related to the other-than-temporary impairment of investments in two unconsolidated affiliates.

In June 2004, the Company recorded a non-cash special charge of $1.7 million related to the other-than-temporary impairment of investments in two unconsolidated affiliates.

Intellectual Property Litigation Gain

In September 2005, the Company recorded a net gain of $2.5 million related to intellectual property litigation.

Restructure of 3F Agreements

Sale of Business

Discontinued Products

Interest Expense, net

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005		2004		Change				2005		2004		Change
Interest expense, net	$	2.2	$	3.4		$	(1.2	)	$	8.3	$	10.7		$	(2.4	)

Interest expense, net decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 due primarily to lower average interest rates, including the effect of interest rate swaps ($0.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively) and increased interest income ($0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively).

Other Expense (Income), net

The following is a summary of other expense (income), net (in millions):

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2005			2004			2005			2004
Foreign currency exchange loss (gain), net	$	0.1		$	0.3		$	(2.0	)	$	1.4
Accounts receivable securitization costs	0.5			0.3			1.2			0.7
Asset dispositions and write-downs, net	—			(0.2		)	0.4			—
Other	(0.6		)	(0.3		)	(0.9		)	0.2
	$	—		$	0.1		$	(1.3	)	$	2.3

The net foreign currency exchange gain for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 relates primarily to intercompany receivable and payable balances, which benefited primarily from the impact of strengthening Japanese yen relative to the Euro.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes consists of provisions for federal, state and foreign income taxes. The Company operates in an international environment with significant operations in various locations outside the U.S. Accordingly, the consolidated income tax rate is a composite rate reflecting the earnings in the various locations and the applicable rates. The effective income tax rates were 128.8% and 44.4% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively. The effective income tax rates were 36.4% and (505.0)% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2005, the income tax rate was impacted primarily by the tax expense related to the Company’s distribution from its foreign affiliates under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”). On September 13, 2005, the Board of Directors approved management’s plan for reinvestment and repatriation of specific foreign earnings under the Act. The Act allows companies to repatriate cash into the United States at a special, temporary effective tax rate of 5.25 percent. Through September 30, 2005 the Company has repatriated $121.0 million and has determined that it will repatriate an additional $142.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. In September 2005, the Company accrued $15.8 million for federal, state, and foreign taxes attributable to the distribution of $263.1 million from its foreign affiliates.

The (505.0)% effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 is derived from tax expense on a book loss and was primarily the result of charges related to the PVT acquisition for which there will be no income tax benefit.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s sources of cash liquidity include cash on hand and cash equivalents, amounts available under credit facilities, accounts receivable securitization facilities and cash from operations. The Company believes that these sources are sufficient to fund the current requirements of working capital, capital expenditures and other financial commitments. The Company further believes that it has the financial flexibility to attract long-term capital to fund short-term and long-term growth objectives. However, no assurances can be given that such long-term capital will be available to the Company on favorable terms, or at all.

As of September 30, 2005, the Company had an unsecured revolving credit agreement (“the Credit Agreement”), expiring on June 26, 2009, which provides up to an aggregate of $500.0 million in one-to six-month borrowings in multiple currencies. Borrowings currently bear interest at the London interbank offering rate (“LIBOR”) plus 0.5%, which includes a facility fee and is subject to adjustment in the event of a change in the Company’s leverage ratio, as defined by the Credit Agreement. The Company pays this facility fee regardless of available or outstanding borrowings, currently at an annual rate of 0.1%. As of September 30, 2005, borrowings of $101.5 million were outstanding under the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement contains various financial and other covenants, all of which the Company was in compliance with at September 30, 2005.

The Company has two securitization programs whereby certain subsidiaries in the United States and Japan sell, without recourse, on a continuous basis, an undivided interest in certain eligible pools of trade accounts receivable. As of September 30, 2005, the Company had sold a total of $80.8 million of trade accounts receivable and received funding of $67.4 million. The United States securitization program expires on September 19, 2006 and the Japan securitization program expires on December 3, 2005.

In September 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program allowing the repurchase of an additional 2 million shares of outstanding common stock. The primary goal of the Company’s share repurchase program is to offset the dilution of shares issued under our employee ownership programs.

At September 30, 2005, there have been no material changes in the Company’s significant contractual obligations and commercial commitments as disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Cash flows provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 decreased $30.3 million from the same period a year ago primarily due to the cash payments of $23.0 million related to restructuring of development and supply agreements and the $15.0 million contribution to the charitable fund.

Net cash used by investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 consisted primarily of capital expenditures of $26.6 million offset by proceeds from the sale of the Japan perfusion products business of $9.2 million.

Net cash used in investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2004 consisted primarily of the acquisition of PVT.

Net cash used in financing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2005 consisted primarily of purchases of treasury stock of $36.4 million and net payments on long term debt of $9.1 million, partially offset by the proceeds from stock plans of $22.1 million.

Net cash provided by financing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2004 consisted primarily of net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt of $17.5 million, primarily to finance the acquisition of PVT.

Critical Accounting Policies

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States which require the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Information with respect to the Company’s critical accounting policies which the Company believes could have the most significant effect on the Company’s reported results and require subjective or complex judgments by management is contained on pages 37-40 in Item 7, Management’s

Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. Management believes that at September 30, 2005, there has been no material change to this information.

Effects of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“FAS 123R”). This Statement supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and its related implementation guidance. FAS 123R eliminates the alternative to use Opinion 25’s intrinsic value method of accounting that was provided in Statement 123 as originally issued. Under Opinion 25, issuing stock options to employees generally resulted in recognition of no compensation cost. FAS 123R requires entities to recognize the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of those awards (with limited exceptions). This revision is effective for the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. On April 15, 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission released a rule that amends the date for compliance so that the Company is not required to prepare financial statements in accordance with FAS 123R until the first quarter of 2006. The Company is still assessing the impact that adoption of FAS 123R will have on its consolidated financial statements; however, the Company believes that adoption of this standard will result in a charge to reported earnings.

In March 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB 107”), which provides the Staff’s view regarding interactions between FAS 123R and certain SEC rules and regulations, and provides interpretations of the valuation of share-based payments for public companies. SAB 107 covers key topics related to the implementation of FAS 123R which include the valuation models, expected volatility, expected option term, income tax effects of FAS 123R, classification of stock-based compensation cost, capitalization of compensation cost, and disclosure requirements. The Company expects SAB 107 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements upon its adoption of FAS 123R in the first quarter of 2006.

In June 2005, the FASB issued Statement No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections,” (“FAS 154”) a replacement of Acconting Principles Board Opinion No. 20, “Accounting Changes,” and FASB Statement No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements.” FAS 154 changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. Previously, most voluntary changes in accounting principles required recognition by recording a cumulative effect adjustment within net income in the period of change. FAS 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. FAS 154 is effective for accounting changes made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company does not believe FAS 154 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

For a complete discussion of the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk, refer to Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” on pages 41-43 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. There have been no significant changes from the information discussed therein.

Currency Risk

For a complete discussion of the Company’s exposure to foreign currency risk, refer to Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” on pages 41-43 of the Company’s Annual

Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. There have been no significant changes from the information discussed therein.

Credit Risk

For a complete discussion of the Company’s exposure to credit risk, refer to Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” on pages 41-43 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. There have been no significant changes from the information discussed therein.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

In the normal course of business, Edwards Lifesciences provides credit to customers in the health care industry, performs credit evaluations of these customers and maintains allowances for probable credit losses, which have been adequate based upon historical experience.

Investment Risk

The Company invests in equity securities of public and private companies. These investments are classified in “Investments in unconsolidated affiliates” on the consolidated condensed balance sheets. The Company is exposed to risks related to changes in the fair values of these investments. Investments are considered to be impaired when a decline in fair value is judged to be other-than-temporary. Management employs a systematic methodology that considers all available evidence in evaluating potential impairment of its investments. In the event that the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, management evaluates, among other factors, general market conditions, the duration and extent to which the fair value is less than cost, as well as its intent and ability to hold the investment. Management also considers specific adverse conditions related to the financial health of, and business outlook for, the investee, including industry and sector performance, changes in technology, operational and financing cash flow factors, performance against product development milestones, and rating agency actions. If a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded and a new cost basis in the investment is established.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2005. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have determined that such controls and procedures are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that were identified during the evaluation that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Period	Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)			Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(a)		Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(a)
July 1, 2005 through July 31, 2005		60,000		$	46.01		60,000		765,400
August 1, 2005 through August 31, 2005		265,400		$	44.16		265,400		500,000
September 1, 2005 through September 30, 2005		135,000		$	43.65		135,000		2,365,000
Total		460,400		$	44.25		460,400		2,365,000

(a) On May 12, 2004, the Company announced that the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to purchase on the open market and in privately negotiated transactions up to 2.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock through December 31, 2006. On September 14, 2005, the Company announced that the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to purchase on the open market and in privately negotiated transactions up to an additional 2.0 million shares of the Company’s common stock. At September 30, 2005, 365,000 shares could yet be purchased under the initial program and an additional 2,000,000 shares could be purchased under the new program.

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are listed in the Exhibit Index hereto and include the following:

31.1		Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2		Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32		Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION
(Registrant)

Date: November 3, 2005	By:	/s/ CORINNE H. LYLE
		Corinne H. Lyle
		Corporate Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Chief Accounting Officer)

EXHIBITS FILED WITH SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Exhibit No.		Description
31.1		Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2		Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32		Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002