"As high-risk PCI increasingly becomes the alternative for patients turned down for surgery, the Europella registry demonstrates that Impella 2.5 proves a safe and effective method of support for these high-risk procedures," said Jose PS Henriques, M.D., Ph.D., Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam. "These results are very encouraging in indicating Impella's ability to maintain hemodynamic support by safely unloading the left ventricle and decreasing oxygen demand in high-risk PCI patients."

The Europella registry is the largest multicenter study ever reported for high risk PCI conducted with Impella, including 144 consecutive high-risk PCI patients with complex or high risk coronary lesions, such as last remaining vessel or left main lesions, from ten European centers, and reported the following:

Patient Population

• Patients were older, 62% older (Mean age, 71.8 years)
• 54% had an LV ejection fraction of 30% or less
• The prevalence of comorbidities was high and the Mean European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score was 8.2± 3.4
• 43% of the patients were refused for CABG
• Left main coronary artery (LMCA) PCI, last patent vessel PCI, and complex multivessel disease (MVD) comprised 52%, 17%, and 82% of the cases, respectively

Device Outcomes

• Successful passage through the femoral artery and implantation of the Impella 2.5 into the left ventricle was achieved in all 144 patients
• The study showed a low rate of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular, 0% device malfunction and low rate of complications confirming the safety, ease of use and potential effectiveness of the technology for high risk PCI. The primary feasibility endpoint included successful deployment, operation and explantation of the Impella 2.5.

"We are pleased with the positive results from the Europella registry. These data reinforce the Impella 2.5 clinical papers that are continuing to be released, such as USpella, which was announced at TCT 2009," said Michael R. Minogue, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Abiomed.

The Europella registry in JACC may be accessed online at http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/abstract/54/25/2430?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=europella&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT

ABOUT ABIOMED

Based in Danvers, Massachusetts, Abiomed, Inc., is a leading provider of medical devices that provide circulatory support to acute heart failure patients across the continuum of care in heart recovery. Our products are designed to enable the heart to rest, heal and recover by improving blood flow and/or performing the pumping of the heart. For additional information please visit: www.abiomed.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding development of Abiomed's existing and new products, the Company's progress toward commercial growth, and future opportunities and expected regulatory approvals. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements based upon a number of factors, including uncertainties associated with development, testing and related regulatory approvals, including anticipated future losses, complex manufacturing, high quality requirements, dependence on limited sources of supply, competition, technological change, government regulation, future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing, and other risks and challenges detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report filed on Form 10-K and most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this Release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE: Abiomed, Inc.

Abiomed, Inc.
Aimee Maillett, 978-646-1553
Public Relations Specialist
ir@abiomed.com