Heart Recovery Patients Visit Capitol Hill to Advocate for Lifesaving Cardiovascular Technology

WASHINGTON, June 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nineteen patients who benefitted from treatment with Abiomed’s Impella heart pumps traveled to Washington, D.C. on June 8, 2017, to meet with elected officials and participate in a Congressional Briefing hosted by the MedTech Caucus, which supports the development of innovative technology. This diverse group of patients previously suffered from advanced heart failure or cardiogenic shock due to a heart attack, and benefitted from the help of Impella technology, the only Food and Drug Administration-approved line of percutaneous heart pumps indicated for those life-threatening conditions. Heart recovery is the ideal option for patient quality of life and, as documented in several clinical papers, has the ability to save costs for the healthcare system^1,2,3. However, Impella technology is used in only six percent of cardiogenic shock cases and only one percent of percutaneous coronary interventions.

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The Congressional Briefing, “Innovation and Solutions for Confronting Cardiovascular Disease, America’s #1 Killer,” was hosted by the MedTech Caucus. Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) and Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Co-Chairs of the House MedTech Caucus, hosted the event. Panel participants included: Cathy Jeon, MD, interventional cardiologist and Director of Medical Education and Training at Abiomed; Patrick Verta, MD, Medical Director at Edward Lifesciences; and Jonathan R. Kaltman, MD, with the National Institute of Health. Norm Linsky, Executive Director of the cardiovascular patient advocacy group Mended Hearts, served as the moderator. Treatment options in the new field of heart recovery and heart valve disease were discussed, as well as the need for increased screening for heart disease and preventative measures against the disease.

“The U.S. is facing an epidemic of heart failure, which currently affects 5.7 million Americans and is expected to grow 46 percent by the year 2030⁴,” said Dr. Jeon. “Many people suffering from heart failure and ischemic coronary artery disease aren’t aware that a minimally invasive treatment option exists utilizing the Impella® heart pumps, called a Protected PCI. At Abiomed, we are working with hospitals and cardiovascular centers throughout the country not only to raise awareness, but also to establish protocols and best practices for this procedure which we believe can improve survival, heart function and quality of life, including a reduced number of days spent in the hospital.”

The panel also discussed the importance of minimally invasive, cost-effective treatments, given that the American Heart Association ranked heart conditions as the top national health expenditure ($204 billion)⁵ and growing.

ABOUT IMPELLA HEART PUMPS
The Impella 2.5®, Impella CP® and Impella 5.0® are FDA-approved heart pumps used to treat heart attack patients in cardiogenic shock, and have the unique ability to enable native heart recovery, allowing patients to return home with their own hearts. The Impella 2.5 and Impella CP devices are also approved to treat certain advanced heart failure patients undergoing elective and urgent percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) such as stenting or balloon angioplasty, to re-open blocked coronary arteries. Abiomed's right-side heart pump, the Impella RP® device, is approved to treat certain patients experiencing right heart failure.

To learn more about the Impella platform of heart pumps, including their approved indications and important safety and risk information associated with the use of the devices, please visit: protectedpci.com.

The ABIOMED logo, ABIOMED, Impella, Impella 2.5, Impella 5.0, Impella LD, Impella CP, Impella RP, and Recovering Hearts. Saving Lives. are registered trademarks of ABIOMED, Inc. in the U.S. and in certain foreign countries.

ABOUT ABIOMED
Based in Danvers, Massachusetts, Abiomed, Inc. (NASDAQ:ABMD) is a leading provider of medical devices that provide circulatory support. Our products are designed to enable the heart to rest by improving blood flow and/or performing the pumping of the heart. For additional information, please visit: 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 the potential for future losses, complex manufacturing, high quality requirements, dependence on limited sources of supply, competition, technological change, government regulation, litigation matters, 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 most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and 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.

1. Maini B, Gregory D, Scotti DJ, Buyantseva L. Percutaneous cardiac assist devices compared with surgical hemodynamic support alternatives: Cost-Effectiveness in the Emergent Setting. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2014 May 1;83(6):E183-92.
   
   
2. Cheung A, Danter M, Gregory D. TCT-385 Comparative Economic Outcomes in Cardiogenic Shock Patients Managed with the Minimally Invasive Impella or Extracorporeal Life Support. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2012;60(17_S):. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2012.08.413.
   
   
3. Gregory D, Scotti DJ, de Lissovoy G, Palacios I, Dixon, Maini B, O'Neill W. A value-based analysis of hemodynamic support strategies for high-risk heart failure patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention. Am Health Drug Benefits. 2013 Mar;6(2):88-99.
   
   
4. Mozzafarian D, Benjamin EJ, Go AS, et al. on behalf of the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2016 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2016;133:e38-e360.
   
   
5. Mozzafarian D, Benjamin EJ, Go AS, et al. on behalf of the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2015 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2015;e230.