Edwards Lifesciences loses 19% on lower Q3 outlook

Shares of Edwards Lifesciences opened down about 19% this morning after the medical device company lowered its 3rd-quarter outlook.

The European debt crisis, a delayed reimbursement decision and summer vacations conspired to reduce expected 3rd-quarter sales for Edwards Lifesciences [1] (NYSE:EW [2]), sending its share price plunging on Wall Street.

The Irvine, Calif.-based medical device company said it now expects Q3 sales of $448 million, down from its prior guidance of $465 million to $485 million for the quarter.

EW shares opened today at $89.56, down 16.6% from yesterday's close. Shares were trading at $87.17 as of about noon today, down 2.7% on the day and 18.8% from yesterday's close.