DANVERS, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 23, 2009-- Abiomed Inc. (NASDAQ: ABMD), a leading provider of breakthrough heart support technologies, today announced new clinical data from Academic Medical Center’s (AMC) three-year follow-up results from patients in the Impella 2.5 arm of the MACH II trial, revealing improved left ventricular function, cardiac output and quality of life.

The MACH II trial, evaluating safety and feasibility in STEMI, included 20 patients; ten patients were treated with three days of Impella 2.5 support; ten control patients were treated with routine standard of care. The initial four-month results, which demonstrated significant recovery of left ventricular function in Impella 2.5 patients, were published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology in 2008.

The three-year follow-up results from MACH II were presented by Jose PS Henriques, M.D., Ph.D., Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, at the Abiomed customer evening symposium at TCT 2009. The results measured the three-year follow-up of 20 large anterior STEMI patients in the MACH II trial and demonstrated significant overall improvements in cardiac function as well as quality of life in the ten patients that received Impella 2.5 within the trial.

All patients were measured in an IRB-approved protocol that calculated echo results, exercise testing and quality of life, and showed the following results from core laboratory analysis and strict processes:

• Left ventricular ejection fraction in Impella 2.5 patients increased from 28% at the baseline, to 41% in the four-month analysis, to 51% at the three-year follow-up period. Left ventricular ejection fraction in the control patients increased from 40% at the baseline, to 45% after the four-month analysis to 47% at the three year analysis. Impella 2.5 patients continued to show improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction, demonstrating a net increase of 23 ejection fraction points while control patients only showed a net increase of 7 ejection fraction points.
• Significant benefit in exercise capacity was demonstrated stronger by Impella 2.5 patients, than control patients, which also improves the quality of life for the patient
• Impella 2.5 patients saw no effects on aortic valve at three-year follow-up

“The initial MACH II results demonstrated that Impella had sustained benefits at four months and the three-year analysis, showing a 10% increase in ejection fraction, is an even stronger indicator that this device will make a significant difference in AMI treatment,” said Henriques. “Additionally, these findings could suggest that Impella 2.5 patients who have been discharged have higher rates of recovery and lower chances of hospital re-admittance.”

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.

Abiomed, Impella, iPulse, BVS5000, AB5000, AbioCor and the Abiomed logo are all trademarks of Abiomed. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Source: Abiomed Inc.

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