Atrial fibrillation device market will grow by almost 10% through 2013: MRG

According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, the atrial fibrillation device market will grow by almost 10% through 2013 in the US, Europe, and Japan. MRG's Global Markets for Atrial Fibrillation Devices 2009 report finds that many patients will be treated with electrophysiology technology and related devices as positive clinical results supporting their use emerges.

Atrial fibrillation, recognized as a significant risk factor for cardiac morbidity and mortality, causes an estimated 15% of all strokes and will remain an important focus for physicians as prevalence of the disease rises. Pharmacotherapy is the primary method of atrial fibrillation management; medical devices are usually reserved for patients who do not respond to drug treatment. However, evidence is growing that for some patients nonpharmacological interventions offer a viable alternative to drugs. Of the devices included in the report, electrophysiology ablation technologies will exhibit the strongest expansion, forecast to exhibit over 24% annual growth over the next five years. The minimally invasive nature of the procedures, as well as their potential to cure atrial fibrillation rather than just manage the symptoms, will fuel this growth. Continued improvements made to electrophysiology technology and growing physician familiarity with the associated procedural techniques will further drive adoption of this treatment through 2013.

"Globally, we've seen the development of a number of advanced devices that deliver more effective treatment of atrial fibrillation," says Dan Whalen, Analyst at MRG. "New electrophysiology catheters in particular have allowed physicians to target the unique physiological demands of atrial fibrillation and will drive procedural growth through 2013 as a result."

MRG's new report, Global Markets for Atrial Fibrillation Devices 2009, provides important insight into the trends that will fuel product use and market growth of atrial fibrillation treatment devices through 2013. Additionally, the report provides full breakdowns of procedures, sales, and prices of electrophysiology catheters, surgical ablation catheters, and cardiac rhythm management devices. This report includes five-year forecasts, up-to-date country-level market shares, and in-depth qualitative insights.