Improving Access to Healthcare Facilities to Benefit Uptake of Structural Heart Devices

Structural heart disease (SHD) is an umbrella term for various defects or abnormalities of the heart. This may include structural anomalies, functional abnormalities, congenital heart diseases, and acquired heart diseases. It was found that nearly 20% to 25%, or roughly 60 million, people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with SHD. 

An SHD is a non-coronary heart defect; this means that the disease does not affect blood vessels. The condition is often congenital, meaning that it is present since the time of birth. However, this defect can also be acquired later in life, caused due to wear and tear by infections. 

Boston Scientific Launches Permanent Implant Delivery Catheters  

The U.S. FDA recently approved an innovative technology called “Watchman LAA Closure Technology”, introduced by Boston Scientific. Watchman is a closure technology used as permanent implant delivery catheters. This helps avert Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) blood clots from entering the blood stream, causing strokes. The catheters have a self-inflating Nitinol or nickel-titanium frame. This frame has a woven plastic cap attached to it. 

The delivery catheter is inserted into a vein in the patient’s leg. Through the bloodstream, the catheter reaches the right atrium or the upper right heart chamber. A tiny incision is made in the wall between the two heart chambers. This incision allows the catheter to reach its destination – the LAA. 

The catheter is then pushed into the LAA, where it opens like an umbrella and is permanently fixed there. In around 45 days, a thin layer of tissue grows over the implant, preventing blood clot(s) from entering the bloodstream. This innovative device can be a boon for patients suffering from atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Market Insight

The global structural heart devices market can reach USD 9.1 billion by 2025, according to a new research by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is anticipated to grow at a 9.15% CAGR over the forecast period (2014 and 2025). Greater awareness, rigid screening, access to treatment, and support from governments across the globe can drive the market over the coming years. 

Key companies in the structural heart devices market include Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific Corporation, Medtronic, and St. Jude Medical. These companies are often involved in mergers and acquisitions and developing new and innovative products to improve and strengthen their portfolio.

In-depth research report on structural heart devices market:
http://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/structural-heart-devices-market