Gains From A Growing Patient Pool For Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices Offset By Lower Product Pricing, Observes Frost & Sullivan

LONDON, Feb. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The rising incidence of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and obesity, an ageing population and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases such as arrhythmias, heart failure and atrial fibrillation, have expanded the patient pool for cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices in both Europe and the United States.

The larger market, however, does not translate to higher revenues, as there is considerable pressure on manufacturers to reduce the cost of all pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) devices.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan ( http://www.healthcare.frost.com), Western European and U.S. Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices Market, finds that the European and U.S. markets together earned revenues of $8.69 billion in 2011 and estimates this to reach $8.72 million in 2016.

"CRM device manufacturers have managed to stay afloat in this market through continuous product upgrades and technological advancements," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Brahadeesh Chandrasekaran. "Companies that launch an innovative product that addresses end-user concerns will gain significant first-mover advantage."

A segment that has benefited substantially from technology improvements, especially in imaging techniques, is catheter ablation. It is one of the fastest growing segments in the CRM devices market and is considered a safe and effective treatment method for most arrhythmias.

About 25% of electrophysiologists spend their time performing catheter ablation. While this bodes well for the catheter ablation segment, it lowers the adoption of other cardiac devices such as ICDs.

Between Western Europe and the United States, the latter is the larger CRM market in terms of revenue and unit shipments. Overall, both these regions are the largest sales and revenue contributors to the global market.

"However, as the CRM markets in both these regions are consolidated, it is difficult for new or small companies to compete effectively," notes Chandrasekaran. "International companies can penetrate the European CRM market by establishing partnerships and alliances to distribute or increase their product lines."

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