Improved Prospects for Peripheral Vascular Products in Western Europe

Infection control strategies and the rising demand for single-use medical devices are boosting the use of peripheral vascular products in Western Europe. These are the latest findings of Frost and Sullivan (Palo Alto, CA, USA), an international consulting firm.

While conventional X-ray fluoroscopy has been the standard approach used by interventional cardiologists or radiologists during procedures, digitalized cardiac catheterization (cath) labs, offering improved contrast with lower doses of radiation and enhanced resolution, have revolutionized the way interventional practitioners look at the organ or vessel. The introduction of intravascular ultrasound also enables precise navigation of the balloon catheter through the vasculature, and aids in accomplishing proper dilation of the artery and in characterizing the plaque.

These developments in imaging technology that are boosting the efficiency of angioplasty procedures are further advancing market prospects. Concomitantly, in most European countries, laws are in place advising against the reuse of single-use medical devices; thus, a boost in devices such as centeripheral vascular stents and stent grafts, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) catheters, endovascular catheters, guidewires, vascular closure systems (VCD), and embolic protection devices (EPD) is foreseen in the coming years.

"The overall surgical procedure numbers are escalating throughout Europe with single-use medical devices being largely used in hospitals and as part of surgical procedures," notes Frost and Sullivan senior research analyst Sree Vidhya Praveen. "The rise in the number of surgical procedures correlates positively with the increase in the use of single-use medical devices in the near future, boding well for peripheral vascular products."

Due to the wide range of devices with similar features available in the market, being able to develop a technologically advanced product line is critical to success. Companies that are unable to keep pace with such change are likely to experience diminishing market shares. Research and development (R&D) and the acquisition of small companies known for their innovative excellence are both commonly used strategies that enable companies to bring new technology to market and gain market share.

"Launching a new device with only a marginal benefit over existing products on the market might only have a slight impact, ensuring a firm gets inadequate return on its investments," concluded Mr. Praveen. "However, instead of launching a ‘me-too' device, a product offering significant leap in terms of technology would create significant industry buzz and accelerate its adoption in the market. Firms need to make themselves aware of the features that will best serve the market six to seven years down the line."

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