Commitments and Contingencies (Details) € in Thousands, $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Nov. 10, 2017 EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) claims	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 05, 2019 claims	Sep. 12, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 24, 2014 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value | €	€ 245
Accrual for legal matters that are probable and estimable | $		$ 929	$ 1,612
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current | $		655	803	$ 269
Litigation-related charges (credits) | $		$ 103	$ 285	$ 804
Product liability lawsuits related to defibrillators or pacemakers		6
Suits Pending Against Guidant in Canada and Filed as Class Actions		4
Suits Pending Against Guidant in Canada, Pending Outcome of Two Lead Class Actions		3
Suits Pending Against Guidant in Canada, Number of Lead Class Action		1
Loss Contingency, Settlement Agreement, Consideration | $							$ 3
Loss Contingency, Damages Paid, Value | €	€ 620
Alleged Breach of Purchase Agreement, Amount | $						$ 275
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Putative class actions in the U.S., Mesh					8
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product assigned to one judge in state court in Massachusetts					3,100
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product					53,000
Product liability cases or claims in Canada, Mesh					25
Certified class actions in Canada, Mesh					1
Putative class actions in Canada, Mesh					3
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product - United Kingdom					25
Settled Litigation [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product					50,000
Total Product liability cases and claims settled related to Mesh product					35,500