Advisory agreement termination date.

No definition available.

Name:	abmd_AdvisoryAgreementTerminationDate
Namespace Prefix:	abmd_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Director retirement age.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	abmd_DirectorRetirementAge
Namespace Prefix:	abmd_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Employment retirement date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	abmd_EmploymentRetirementDate
Namespace Prefix:	abmd_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of years of service.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	abmd_NumberOfYearsOfService
Namespace Prefix:	abmd_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of earn out consideration payable in restricted shares.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	abmd_PercentageOfEarnOutConsiderationPayableInRestrictedShares
Namespace Prefix:	abmd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award, equity instruments other than options, performance target probable to be achieved.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	abmd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsPerformanceTargetProbableToBeAchieved
Namespace Prefix:	abmd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award number of grants issued upon reaching service milestones.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	abmd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfGrantsIssuedUponReachingServiceMilestones
Namespace Prefix:	abmd_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Unrecognized cost of unvested share-based compensation awards.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation is expected to be recognized for equity-based compensation plans, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders exercising their stock options. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (j)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3255-108585

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Additional share-based compensation cost recognized as a result of an occurrence of an event that accelerates its recognition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAcceleratedCompensationCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of award terms as to how many shares or portion of an award are no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, thereby giving the employee the legal right to convert the award to shares, to sell the shares, and be entitled to the cash proceeds of such sale. For example, vesting may be expressed as being 25 percent of the shares under option on each anniversary of the grant date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingRights
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of non-vested equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that validly exist and are outstanding as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of share-based awards for which the grantee gained the right by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodTotalFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The estimated dividend rate (a percentage of the share price) to be paid (expected dividends) to holders of the underlying shares over the option's term.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of accumulated difference between fair value of underlying shares on dates of exercise and exercise price on options exercised (or share units converted) into shares.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The policy, if any, for issuing shares (or other type of equity) upon exercise or conversion of equity-based awards into shares of stock or units, including the source of those shares or units (that is, new share, new unit, treasury shares or treasury units).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPolicyForIssuingSharesUponExercise
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Description of pertinent provisions of equity-based compensation awards that have actual or potential impact upon the company's financial statements.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardTermsOfAward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period from grant date that an equity-based award expires, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardExpirationPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of options vested. Excludes equity instruments other than options, for example, but not limited to, share units, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedInPeriodFairValue1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Purchase price of common stock expressed as a percentage of its fair value.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardPurchasePriceOfCommonStockPercent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis=us-gaap_ChiefFinancialOfficerMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_TitleOfIndividualAxis=abmd_NonEmployeeDirectorMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=abmd_TwoThousandFifteenStockIncentivePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PlanNameAxis=abmd_TwoThousandEightStockIncentivePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=abmd_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=abmd_PerformanceAndMarketBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=abmd_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=abmd_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsIssuedInMayTwentyFifteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=abmd_PerformanceBasedRestrictedStockUnitsIssuedInMayTwentyThirteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=abmd_MarketBasedRestrictedStockUnitsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=abmd_EmployeeStockPurchasePlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Stock Award Plans and Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation					$ 29,053	$ 16,520	$ 11,218
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised in period					58,600	20,000	16,300
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options					9,771	10,927	9,360
Fair value of options vested in period					$ 2,600	2,600	2,500
Expected dividend yield					0.00%
Chief Financial Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employment retirement date					Jul. 31, 2015
Stock-based compensation					$ 2,500
Consultant service ending date					Jul. 31, 2017
Non-employee directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Years of service					5 years
Non-employee director retirement age					65 years
Stock-based compensation related to accelerated vesting					$ 1,400
Two Thousand Fifteen Stock Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option conversion description					. Each share of stock issued pursuant to a stock option or stock appreciation right counts as one share against the maximum number of shares issuable under the 2015 Plan, while each share of stock issued pursuant to any other type of award counts as 1.7 shares against the maximum number of shares issuable under the 2015 Plan.
Shares available for future issuance under the Plan					1,988,000
Two Thousand Eight Stock Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for future issuance under the Plan					648,000
Description of share counts for awards other than 2008 Stock Incentive Plan					Each share of stock issued pursuant to any other type of award counts as 1.58 shares against the maximum number of shares issuable under the 2008 Plan for grants made on or after August 11, 2010 (and as 1.5 shares for grants made prior to that date).
Employee Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock award plans, outstanding stock options expiration period					10 years
Stock-based compensation					$ 4,866	$ 2,708	$ 2,679
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense					$ 6,000
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, weighted-average recognition period					2 years 4 months 24 days
Expected dividend yield					0.00%
Restricted stock units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected dividend yield					0.00%
Restricted stock units \| Non-employee directors
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for future issuance under the Plan								3,900
Stock-based compensation					$ 2,000
Equity award, vesting options					vest on the earlier of: (a) the one year anniversary of the grant date; or (b) the next annual meeting of stockholders.
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense					$ 27,500
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, weighted-average recognition period					2 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted average grant-date fair value for restricted stock and restricted stock units granted					$ 87.45	$ 22.07	$ 23.34
Fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units vested in period					$ 39,600	$ 11,200	$ 6,000
Restricted share unit issued					696,000
Non-vested shares, outstanding					1,263,000	1,160,000
Performance and Market-Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense					$ 17,200
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, weighted-average recognition period					2 years 4 months 24 days
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation					$ 500
Restricted share unit issued	183,940	379,752		100,000
Non-vested shares, outstanding					123,000
Shares of award granted, upon achievement of service milestone					50,000
Shares of award granted, it is probable that the prescribed performance targets will be met					50,000
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units Issued in May 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non-vested shares, outstanding					183,940
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units Issued in May 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted share unit issued			268,988
Non-vested shares, outstanding					70,000
Market Based Restricted Stock Units \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted Share earning					0.00%
Market Based Restricted Stock Units \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted Share earning					300.00%
Market Based Restricted Stock Units \| Chief Financial Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted share unit issued	322,980
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation					$ 500	$ 300	$ 200
ESPP, exercise price as a percentage of its market price					85.00%