Global market for cardiac rhythm management devices worth $13 billion for 2015

The global market for cardiac rhythm management devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators is worth about $13 billion for 2015, according to Kalorama Information. The market research publisher said the market has benefited from the demand to move to a more mobile, wireless and efficient system both within major health facilities and in the home treatment markets. There is also an increasing trend to upgrade to more portable devices and devices which have added benefits such as MRI compatibility. The finding was made in a just-published Kalorama Information report Cardiac Rhythm Management Device Markets.

"An aging population more likely to be diagnosed with advanced cardiovascular disease is a driver as is the increasing use of devices for prevention and early intervention," said Bruce Carlson, Publisher of Kalorama Information. "Replacement of existing units, upgrades, emerging markets are also factors."

As cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of mortality in the developed world, it is natural that a great deal of emphasis should be placed on its treatment and cure. Moreover, as one cardiovascular condition very often influences the onset of others (e.g., hypertension resulting in stroke or congestive heart failure or atherosclerosis resulting in angina or myocardial infarction) there is urgency to discovering the root causes of cardiovascular disease in the hopes of not only treating the initial conditions, but also preventing them.

Cardiac Rhythm devices include two broad categories:

• Defibrillators: electrical devices that deliver therapeutic levels of energy to the heart muscle for the treatment of ventricular defibrillation, cardiac dysrhythmias, and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Devices can be implanted in the body, external, or transvenous. The goal of the technology is to reestablish normal rhythm of the heartbeat
• Pacemakers: small electrical generators that control a patient's heartbeat. They are generally used when a patient has a chronic heart rhythm problem.

The report says the demand to integrate data processing capabilities and EMR transfer options has also fueled the market.