Danvers, Mass., and Washington, DC, 17th Annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Meeting, Booth #254, October 17, 2005-ABIOMED, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABMD), a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical products designed to assist or replace the pumping function of the failing heart, today announced data presented at the 17th Annual TCT Meeting on its AB5000 Circulatory Support Device. A multi-center study presented by Dr. Mark Anderson, Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief Section of Cardiac Surgery at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, found that patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI or heart attack) followed by cardiogenic shock could recover the natural function of their heart when given AB5000 circulatory support for an average of 31 days.

The presentation entitled, "Mechanical Circulatory Support Improves Recovery Outcomes in Profound Cardiogenic Shock Post Acute Myocardial Infarction," studied patients at 26 U.S. Centers. Of the patients who were able to survive this traumatic coronary event, 67 percent were able to fully recover their heart, avoiding heart transplant.

It is estimated that there are 865,000 patients annually in the U.S. with acute myocardial infarction. Of those, roughly 7-10 percent suffer cardiogenic shock, meaning that the heart fails to pump an adequate amount of blood to sustain a good perfusion of the other organs. Patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock often have high mortality rates, upwards of 50 percent, despite the majority being otherwise healthy and undergoing measures such as coronary revascularization, inotropic drugs and intra-aortic balloon pump therapy. For many patients, these measures further weaken the heart in an effort to force it to increase its function in order to provide blood flow for vital organ function.

"I have found that by utilizing the AB5000, we are able to recover our patientsÙ hearts and send them home without a transplant, which can be costly and expose these patients to a variety of other problems," said Dr. Anderson. "By providing circulatory support, we can allow an injured heart time to rest. If given enough time to rest, the cells of the heart can repair themselves. It is truly rewarding to see this happen."

"Dr. AndersonÙs presentation at this widely attended meeting further supports ABIOMEDÙs mission to help support and recover patientsÙ hearts. His work with VAD technology puts him at the forefront of a movement to help patients recover and continue to enjoy the quality of life with their own natural heart," said Michael R. Minogue, Chairman, CEO and President of ABIOMED. "New reimbursement guidelines from CMS encourage recovery as an outcome and we expect to see this trend continue."

ABOUT THE AB5000Ǣ CIRCULATORY SUPPORT SYSTEM
The AB5000 was FDA approved in September 2003 to provide temporary support for one or both sides of the natural heart in circumstances where the heart has failed, giving the patientÙs heart the opportunity to rest and potentially recover - and giving surgeons the therapeutic flexibility necessary to determine the best endpoint for treatment. The AB5000 and the BVS 5000 are the only devices approved by the FDA for the recovery of the natural heart.

The AB5000 Ventricle is a major component of the AB5000Ǣ Circulatory Support System and is a pneumatically driven blood pump. The sterile, disposable ventricle provides circulatory support in the presence of left-, right-, or both-sided heart failure. The Ventricle is located next to the body (paracorporeal) and can take over the pumping function of the natural heart.

Assisted by vacuum, blood flows from the native heart into the AB5000Ǣ Ventricle bladder. The bladder, which holds about 100 cc of blood, fills and empties much like the natural heart. Connection of the Ventricle to the patient is accomplished by connecting the pump to cannulae, or tubes, implanted in the patient's heart. These tubes pass through the patientÙs skin and connect directly to the AB5000 Console.

ABOUT ABIOMED
Based in Danvers, Massachusetts, ABIOMED, Inc. (pronounced "ABÙ-EE-O-MED") is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical products designed to assist or replace the pumping function of the failing heart. ABIOMED currently manufactures and sells the AB5000Ǣ Circulatory Support System and the BVS® 5000 Biventricular Support System for the temporary support of all patients with failing but potentially recoverable hearts. In Europe, ABIOMED offers the Impella® RecoverǢ minimally invasive cardiovascular support systems under CE Mark approval. The CompanyÙs AbioCor® Implantable Replacement Heart was the subject of an initial clinical trial under an Investigational Device Exemption from the United States Food and Drug Administration. The AbioCor has not been approved for commercial distribution, and is not available for use or sale outside of the initial clinical trial. For additional information please visit: www.abiomed.com.

Contacts:
Liza Heapes
ABIOMED, INC.
Media Relations
(978) 646-1668
mediarelations@abiomed.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Melody Carey
Rx Communications Group, LLC
(917) 322-2571
mcarey@rxir.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding development of ABIOMEDÙs existing and new products, the CompanyÙs progress toward commercial growth, and future opportunities. The CompanyÙs 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, 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 CompanyÙs filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report filed on Form 10-K. 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.

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