[LOGO] VASCULAR
                                       SOLUTIONS


EXHIBIT 99.1


                                                      NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, January 28, 2004    Contact:  Howard Root, CEO
                                                      James Hennen, CFO
                                                      Vascular Solutions, Inc.
                                                      (763) 656-4300


               VASCULAR SOLUTIONS ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

             NET SALES INCREASE 16% OVER Q4 OF 2002 TO $3.4 MILLION
      LAUNCH OF D-STAT DRY HEMOSTATIC BANDAGE CONTINUES ABOVE EXPECTATIONS
       SALES GUIDANCE RE-AFFIRMED FOR 2004 AT 100% ANNUAL GROWTH OVER 2003

         MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota -- Vascular Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:VASC) today
announced results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2003 and provided an
update on its progress with new product launches and future planned products.

         Net sales during the fourth quarter were $3,402,697, an increase of 16%
from net sales of $2,927,819 in the fourth quarter of 2002. The 16% increase in
net sales primarily resulted from the Company's market launch of its D-Stat Dry
hemostatic bandage as well as from expanding sales of its Vari-Lase endovenous
laser procedure kit and international sales of its Pronto extraction catheter,
all of which were launched in the second half of 2003. The D-Stat Dry hemostatic
bandage was cleared for sale in the U.S. on September 22, 2003, while the
Vari-Lase procedure kit was launched in the U.S. in July 2003 and the Pronto
extraction catheter was in limited international release during the fourth
quarter.

         The net loss for the fourth quarter of 2004 was $1,963,108 or $0.15 per
share, improving from a net loss of $6,050,825 or $0.46 per share in the fourth
quarter of 2002. The net loss in the fourth quarter of 2002 included a
$3,750,000 legal settlement.

         "The fourth quarter was an important return to sales growth for
Vascular Solutions and provided us increased confidence in our new products'
near-term sales ramp," commented Howard Root, Chief Executive Officer of
Vascular Solutions. "The D-Stat Dry bandage received an outstanding reaction in
its first full quarter on the U.S. market, with over $1 million in net sales and
a strongly increasing sales momentum from October through December. Going
forward, in January we commenced the U.S. launch of both our Pronto extraction
catheter and our Vari-Lase laser console, with early market indications being
very favorable for both of these new products to continue to increase our sales
in 2004."

         Net sales of the D-Stat Dry hemostatic bandage were $1,045,678 during
the fourth quarter, with a gross margin in excess of 80%. A total of 184
accounts in the U.S. purchased the product in the fourth quarter. The fourth
quarter re-order rate was 86%. "Our initial sales efforts have reached less than
10% of the primary cath lab market for the D-Stat Dry, and our sales force is
excited about driving this penetration higher throughout 2004," commented Mr.
Root. The D-Stat Dry is used as a topical bandage for the control of surface
bleeding from vascular access sites and percutaneous catheters or tubes.


<PAGE>


         Net sales of the Vari-Lase endovenous laser product line increased to
$137,301 in the fourth quarter as the company continued its market introduction
of products for the treatment of varicose veins. "With the clearance in December
of our laser console as well as the launch at the end of the fourth quarter of
four additional configurations of our Vari-Lase procedure kit, we believe that
we are in a position to drive Vari-Lase sales growth in 2004," commented Mr.
Root. "We are encouraged by this market's growth and our sales force's ability
to train and support Interventional Radiologists and others who are entering the
treatment of varicose veins."

         Sales of the Pronto extraction catheter commenced in Europe in late
August, with net sales of $85,450 in the fourth quarter solely from
international markets. "As we performed our manufacturing scale-up for the
Pronto in the fourth quarter, we were in a constant back-order situation purely
from international orders," commented Mr. Root. "We have very recently completed
this scale-up work, and with our U.S. launch in mid-January we are extremely
optimistic about the sales growth with the Pronto. From our international sales
and very recent U.S. launch, we have received reports of many deployments of the
Pronto catheter with excellent clinical results." The Pronto extraction catheter
is used in the removal of soft thrombus from vessels in the arterial system.

         Net sales of the Duett sealing device declined from $2,622,362 in the
fourth quarter of 2002 to $1,779,537 in the fourth quarter of 2003. "As we have
mentioned before, we are in a "harvest" mode with the Duett, and we continue to
support this product as we launch our new products to fuel our sales growth,"
commented Mr. Root. Net sales of the D-Stat Flowable hemostat increased to
$296,887 in the fourth quarter of 2003 compared to $248,552 in the fourth
quarter of 2002. Net sales of Acolysis ultrasound products totaled $57,844 in
the fourth quarter of 2003 compared to $56,905 in the fourth quarter of 2002.
Overall gross margins increased to 66% in the fourth quarter as the result of
the launch of the new, higher gross margin products.

         The Company also announced the development of additional products
scheduled for market introduction by the end of 2004. "We recently licensed a
design of a device for the measurement of aortic stenosis, which we believe has
a $10 million annual market potential and we can launch in the U.S. by the end
of 2004," commented Mr. Root. "We also have developed new applications and
configurations of our D-Stat Dry for trauma use, we are in the process of
finalizing a corporate relationship related to the D-Stat Dry, and we have
proposals outstanding for developing additional interventional medical devices."

         Vascular Solutions also re-affirmed its guidance on its sales estimates
for 2004. "We believe that our net sales for the year 2004 will increase by 100%
or more over net sales for 2003 to $25 million or possibly higher. Projected
revenue related to the new product introductions is estimated at between $8
million and $10 million for the D-Stat Dry, between $4 million and $6 million
for the Vari-Lase, between $2 million and $3 million for the Pronto and between
$500,000 and $1 million for the D-Stat Radial. We also continue to believe that
profitability is achieved at $7 million in quarterly net sales, based on
expected new product selling prices and gross margins."

         Vascular Solutions will host a live webcast starting at 3:30 p.m.,
Central Time today to discuss the information contained in this press release.
The live web cast may be accessed on the investor relations portion of our web
site at www.vascularsolutions.com. Web participants are encouraged to go to the
web site at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to download and
install any necessary audio software. An audio replay of the call will be
available until Wednesday, February 4 by dialing 1-800-642-1687 and entering
conference ID # 4885871. A recording of the call will also be archived on the
investor relations portion of the Company's


<PAGE>


web site, www.vascularsolutions.com until Wednesday, February 11. During the
conference call the Company may answer one or more questions concerning business
and financial developments and trends, the Company's view on earnings forecasts
and new product development and financial matters affecting the Company, some of
the responses to which may contain information that has not been previously
disclosed.

                            VASCULAR SOLUTIONS, INC.
                       CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Three Months Ended                         Year Ended
                                                               December 31,                          December 31,
                                                         2003               2002               2003               2002
                                                               (unaudited)                 (unaudited)           (note)
<S>                                                 <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
Net sales                                           $  3,402,697       $  2,927,819       $ 11,804,328       $ 12,100,526
Cost of goods sold                                     1,160,183          1,228,258          4,570,242          4,985,587
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross profit                                           2,242,514          1,699,561          7,234,086          7,114,939

Operating expenses:
     Research and development                            882,408            750,063          3,670,935          3,227,538
     Clinical and regulatory                             401,601            322,254          1,535,989          1,347,694
     Sales and marketing                               2,371,129          2,505,666          9,645,920         11,963,907
     General and administrative                          513,766            466,569          1,942,483          2,166,883
     Legal settlement                                         --          3,750,000                 --          3,750,000
     Amortization of purchased technology
                                                          54,375             54,375            217,500            145,000

          Operating loss                              (1,980,765)        (6,149,366)        (9,778,741)       (15,486,083)
Interest income                                           17,657             98,541            150,342            507,169
          Net loss                                  $ (1,963,108)      $ (6,050,825)      $ (9,628,399)      $(14,978,914)
                                                    =====================================================================

Basic and diluted net loss per share                $       (.15)      $       (.46)      $      (0.75)      $      (1.13)
                                                    =====================================================================
Shares used in computing basic and diluted
net loss per share                                    12,937,993         13,024,686         12,858,765         13,276,147
                                                    =====================================================================
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                            VASCULAR SOLUTIONS, INC.
                            CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          December 31,     December 31,
                                                              2003             2002
                                                          (unaudited)         (note)
<S>                                                       <C>              <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                            $ 2,864,913      $ 1,835,059
     Available-for-sale securities                          3,019,693       14,914,444
     Accounts receivable, net                               1,810,443        1,357,946
     Inventories                                            3,186,274        2,132,516
     Prepaid expenses                                         462,154          326,773
                                                          ----------------------------
          Total current assets                             11,343,477       20,566,738
Property and equipment, net                                   948,602          795,885
Intangible assets                                             700,095          917,595
                                                          ----------------------------
          Total assets                                    $12,992,174      $22,280,218
                                                          ============================

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
          Total current liabilities                       $ 2,120,039      $ 1,910,985
Shareholders' equity:
          Total shareholders' equity                       10,872,135       20,369,233
                                                          ----------------------------
          Total liabilities and shareholders' equity      $12,992,174      $22,280,218
                                                          ============================
</TABLE>

Note: Derived from the audited financial statements at that date.

ABOUT VASCULAR SOLUTIONS

         Vascular Solutions, Inc. is an interventional medical device company
with a focus on sealing technologies. New products introduced in the second half
of 2003 include the Vari-Lase(TM) endovenous laser procedural kit for the
treatment of varicose veins, the D-Stat Dry(TM) hemostatic bandage for the rapid
control of topical bleeding, the D-Stat Radial(TM) hemostat band for the control
of bleeding following catheterizations utilizing the radial artery in the wrist,
and the Pronto(TM) extraction catheter for the mechanical extraction of soft
thrombus. The Company's other products include the Duett(TM) sealing device to
rapidly seal the puncture site following catheterization procedures, the
D-Stat(R) Flowable hemostat which is used in a wide variety of interventional
procedures for the local management of active bleeding, and the Acolysis(R)
intravascular therapeutic ultrasound product which is sold in international
markets for the treatment of peripheral occlusive arterial disease.

         The information in this press release contains forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Important
factors that may cause such differences include those discussed in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and other recent
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The risks and uncertainties
include, without limitation, risks associated with our limited operating
history, adoption of our new sealing methodology, reliance on a sole product,
lack of profitability, exposure to possible product liability claims, the
development of new products by others, dependence on third party distributors in
international markets, doing business in international markets, limited
manufacturing experience, the availability of third party reimbursement, actions
by the FDA related to our products, and the loss of key vendors.

         For further information, connect to www.vascularsolutions.com
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