ABIOMED's ventricular assist devices (VADs) are intended to support and potentially recover the failing heart and offer temporary support for patients suffering from heart failure until a longer term treatment has been prescribed.

ABIOMED offers several different circulatory support systems for different needs of the patient– the IMPELLA® devices, BVS® 5000 and the AB5000™. Each system consists of two basic components: the console, and catheters or blood pumps(s). The console is the brain of the system. It is connected to the blood pump(s) and responsible for controlling the "pumping" action. The blood pumps are the actual "heart" of the systems. Acting in place of the failing heart, they receive blood from the heart and pump it back into the body for circulation to either the lungs or the rest of the body. The BVS® 5000 and the AB5000™ also involve cannulae, which are specifically designed tubes used to transport blood back and forth between the resting heart and blood pumps.

These systems are utilized for a patient whose heart needs partial to full support. They can completely take over the pumping function of either the left, right or both sides of the heart, allowing it the opportunity to rest and recover, while still supplying the rest of the body with the vital nutrients and oxygen it needs to survive.

ABIOMED offers this information as a service to patients who may be supported by a mechanical circulatory device. This does not in any way supersede any medical information provided by the surgeon or any other clinician caring for the patient.