Exhibit 99.1

ABIOMED Announces Expanded Reimbursement and Distribution in Europe for IMPELLA
RECOVER(R) Circulatory Support Systems; Expected to Fuel Increased Utilization
of ABIOMED Recovery Solutions in Largest European Markets

    DANVERS, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 3, 2006--ABIOMED, Inc.
(NASDAQ: ABMD) today announced that the governmental authority for
reimbursement in Germany (InEK) has granted the highest approval level
available for ABIOMED's IMPELLA(R) RECOVER(R) Devices. The new German
reimbursement standard will apply to ABIOMED's IMPELLA Recover(R) LP
2.5, the IMPELLA Recover(R) 5.0, the IMPELLA Recover (R) RD, and the
IMPELLA Recover (R) LD which are available in Europe under the CE Mark
and are investigational in the United States. The Company also
announced that it has recently received product registration approval
in France and has now commenced shipment of IMPELLA technologies to
customers in this country. Germany and France represent the largest
circulatory assist markets in Europe.
    German reimbursement is critical for healthcare market adoption of
new technologies as it allows hospitals to provide advanced care to
their patients in a cost effective manner. Hospitals in Germany are
required to negotiate the reimbursement of advanced technologies,
medical treatments, and patient related procedural expenses directly
with the insurance companies. ABIOMED received a status 1 rating, the
highest available, for the Impella technology to support these
negotiations and future reimbursement with the German government
authorities. Successful registration of Impella products in France
provides a new opportunity for sales of ABIOMED's full IMPELLA product
line in the second largest market in Europe.
    "We are focused globally on cost-effective solutions for acute
heart failure and our products offer life saving options for the
number one cause of death and the number one cost to global healthcare
systems" said Michael R. Minogue, Chairman, CEO and President of
ABIOMED.
    The Company has added dedicated resources for reimbursement and
economic benefit analysis in markets around the world to help
accelerate patient access to technology.

    ABOUT THE IMPELLA RECOVER DEVICES

    The Recover(R) LP 2.5 is a minimally invasive ventricular
unloading catheter, which is inserted percutaneously via the femoral
artery into the left ventricle. Up to 2.5 liters of blood per minute
are delivered by the pump from the left ventricle into the ascending
aorta, providing the heart with active support in critical situations.
A large percentage of patients with acute myocardial infarction
require a temporary mechanical support system in order to survive. The
Recover(R) LP 2.5 can be inserted quickly and provides efficient
cardiovascular support. The Recover(R) LP 2.5 can be implanted for up
to 5 days.
    The Recover(R) LP 5.0 is a ventricular unloading catheter, which
is placed via a femoral artery cut-down into the left ventricle. Once
in place, up to 5 liters of blood per minute is pumped from the left
ventricle into the ascending aorta - actively unloading the heart. The
CE Marked Recover(R) LP 5.0 has been used in European centers to
support patients with post-cardiotomy failure to wean, post PCI,
myocarditis, cardiogenic shock or as a bridge-to-next decision.
    ABIOMED's IMPELLA Recover Devices also include the Recover (R) RD,
the smallest right ventricular unloading catheter; and the Recover (R)
LD, the smallest left ventricular unloading catheter. These CE Marked
devices are surgically implanted and can provide longer duration
support. The IMPELLA Recover (R) RD is implantable and can deliver up
to 6.0 liters of blood per minute from the right atrium via the outlet
graft to the pulmonary artery. The Recover (R) LD is surgically
implanted via the aorta into the left ventricle and delivers up to 5.0
liters of blood per minute into the ascending aorta. These devices can
be used in combination to provide temporary bi-ventricular support in
an effort to recover the natural function of a patient's heart.
    IMPELLA(R) RECOVER(R) products are investigational devices in the
United States and are not yet available for sale in the United States.

    ABOUT ABIOMED

    Based in Danvers, Massachusetts, ABIOMED, Inc. (pronounced
"AB'-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
AB5000(TM) Circulatory Support System and the BVS(R) 5000
Biventricular Support System for the temporary support of all patients
with failing but potentially recoverable hearts. In Europe, ABIOMED
offers the IMPELLA(R) RECOVER(R) minimally invasive cardiovascular
support systems under CE Mark approval. The Company's AbioCor(R)
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.

    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. 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, 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. 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.

    CONTACT: ABIOMED, INC.
             Daniel Sutherby, 978-646-1812
             Chief Financial Officer
             ir@abiomed.com
             or
             ABIOMED, INC.
             Liza Heapes, 978-646-1668
             Media Relations
             mediarelations@abiomed.com