Based in Natick, Mass., Boston Scientific employs more than 5,000 workers here in operations in Arden Hills and Maple Grove.
"This workforce reduction is consistent with restructuring initiatives previously announced," said spokesman David Knutson. "While the company does not disclose details regarding affected personnel, all impacted employees will be treated fairly and receive transitional support."
In February, Boston Scientific executives painted a gloomy portrait of the market for the company's heart devices, including pacemakers and implantable defibrillators from its Arden Hills unit and stents from its business in Maple Grove.
Chief Executive Ray Elliott said at the time that downward pressure on prices continues to be the company's "greatest challenge," but he noted there also had been continued weakness in the number of procedures being performed at hospitals that include Boston Scientific devices.
Implantable defibrillators cost about $30,000 and shock failing hearts back into rhythm; stents are metal mesh tubes that doctors insert in heart arteries during angioplasty procedures.
Following sluggish results for 2010, Boston Scientific said in February that it had launched a "zero-based budgeting program," which Elliott said would bring more discipline to "head count expense management."
"We need to examine our expense base from scratch," Elliott said in February.
Tim Nelson, an analyst in Minneapolis with Nuveen Asset Management, said he heard rumors the current cuts would hit about 400 to 500 jobs.
"This is an effort to try and improve the earnings profile of the entire business," Nelson said.
Job cuts in the struggling heart device business have been a theme not just at Boston Scientific but at Fridley-based Medtronic, which in February announced plans to cut 2,000 jobs worldwide. Analysts said workers at Medtronic's heart rhythm device division in Mounds View are receiving word of layoffs this week. A company spokesman declined comment.
Christopher Snowbeck can be reached at 651-228-5479.
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