EXHIBIT 99.1


PRESS RELEASE

Contacts:    Gerard van Hamel Platerink               Edwin B. Cordell, Jr.
             Director, Investor Relations             Chief Financial Officer
             (770) 689 2735                           (770) 717-6053


        NOVOSTE CORPORATION INITIATES VOLUNTARY RECALL OF(BETA)-RAIL(TM)
                        3.5F DELIVERY CATHETER INVENTORY

Norcross,  Ga.,  August  19,  2002 -  Novoste  Corporation  (NASDAQ:NOVT)  today
announced  the  voluntary  recall  of  (beta)-Rail(TM)  3.5F  Delivery  Catheter
inventory   from  its  customers.   This   voluntary   recall  does  not  affect
(beta)-Cath(TM)  5F Delivery  Catheter  inventory.  The recall is related to the
Company's  belief that handling issues specific to the distal rail design of the
(beta)-Rail(TM)  3.5F  Delivery  Catheter may have the  potential to  compromise
patient safety. The (beta)-Rail(TM) 3.5F Delivery Catheter recalled product will
be returned to the company,  and,  pending FDA  approval of a modified  training
program,  the  product  will be  re-launched.  The FDA has been  informed of the
Company's  decision  to  recall  the  product,   and  discussions   relating  to
improvements to the  (beta)-Rail(TM)  3.5F System  training  program and planned
product relaunch are ongoing.

At no time has there been a radiation safety issue. In addition, company testing
of samples of the  (beta)-Rail(TM)  3.5F Delivery  Catheter has not revealed any
indication that the product is out of specification.

The  voluntary  recall only affects  customers  that have been supplied with the
recently  introduced  (beta)-Rail(TM)  3.5F System.  These  customers  represent
approximately  half  of the  company's  400  accounts.  Most  of  the  company's
customers have  maintained the Novoste 5F  Beta-Cath(TM)  System at their sites,
and this product is unaffected by this  voluntary  recall.  Novoste has adequate
(beta)-Cath(TM)  5F Deliver Catheter inventory on hand to address any short-term
supply issues.

Novoste will hold a conference call to discuss the voluntary recall,  which will
be hosted by Thomas D. Weldon,  Chairman  and CEO.  Shareholders  interested  in
participating  in the call may do so by calling  (800)  915-4836  a few  minutes
prior to 2:00PM  Eastern time on August 19, 2002.  International  callers should
call  (973)  317-5319.  Those  interested  in  listening  to  a  replay  of  the
teleconference  may do so by calling  (toll free) (800)  428-6051  for  domestic
callers and (973) 709-2089 for international  callers. The identification number
for the replay is 257765.  The replay will be available  through Monday,  August
26,  2002.  Interested  parties may access the  conference  call by visiting the
Investor   Relations  page  of  Novoste's  website  at   http://www.novoste.com.
Listeners are advised to visit the website at least 15 minutes early to download
and install any necessary audio  software.  An archived copy of the call will be
available for a period of one week after the call on the Company's website.

ABOUT NOVOSTE CORPORATION:
Novoste  Corporation,  based in Atlanta GA, develops advanced medical treatments
for  coronary  and vascular  diseases  and is the  worldwide  leader in vascular
brachytherapy.  The Company's  Beta-Cath(TM) System is commercially available in
the United States, as well as in the European Union and several other countries.
Novoste  Corporation shares are traded on the NASDAQ National Stock Market under
the symbol NOVT. For general company information,  please call (770) 717-0904 or
visit the Company's web site at www.novoste.com.

Statements  made in this press release that look forward in time or that express
management's beliefs, expectations or estimates regarding future occurrences are
forward-looking   statements  within  the  meaning  of  the  Private  Securities
Litigation  Reform Act of 1995.  Actual results may differ materially from those
projected in these forward-looking statements based upon known and unknown risks
and  uncertainties,  including  continued market acceptance of the Beta-Cath(TM)
System,  continued demonstration of safety,  efficacy, and device performance in
post-market  surveillance studies,  competition and technological changes. These
and  other  risks  are  detailed  in  documents  filed by  Novoste  with the SEC
including  its Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 2001 and its Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended June 30, 2002.

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