29 Jul, 2024
Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) is an invasive guide wire-based procedure used to measure blood pressure and flow through a particular coronary artery segment. It is utilized in coronary catheterization to ascertain the pressure differences across coronary artery stenosis. The fractional flow reserve is the pressure after (distal to) stenosis relative to the pressure before stenosis. Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) has tiny guidewires that can traverse arteries efficiently and help physicians determine if additional procedures, such as stenting or angioplasty, are required. It is widely recommended by medical personnel because it enables patients to avoid costly procedures such as stent placement and bypass surgery.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading reason of mortality worldwide, with an estimated 17.9 million yearly deaths. Due to changes in lifestyle patterns and an increase in diabetes, hypertension, and obesity/overweight in young and older populations, several CVDs, such as CAD (coronary artery disease), are rising.
The global burden of CAD will reach 47 million disability-adjusted life years (years lost due to disability, ill health, and mortality) by 2020, according to the World Health Organization. Given the prevalence of coronary artery disease, it is crucial to implement innovative diagnostic platforms such as fractional flow reserve (FFR) to improve procedural outcomes, reduce the needless use of stents, and aid in disease management. Thus, the expanding patient population is anticipated to drive market expansion.
The healthcare sector is seeing a significant transformation as a result of the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, particularly in healthcare imaging. Many academic medical institutions conduct research based on AI and ML. This will increase the efficacy of FFR-CT in various other applications and improve the precision of treatment, thereby decreasing the mortality rate in emergency care, particularly among patients admitted with chest pain. The prevalence of these technologies has likewise experienced an upward trend.
For instance, to combat coronary heart disease (CHD), the leading cause of mortality in the United Kingdom, the National Health Service England (NHSE) and NHS Improvement have mandated that English hospitals implement the AI-powered HeartFlow FFRCT Analysis by 2021. Similarly, there are additional market developments. In 2018, ML-based FFR was implemented and provided superior results to end-users. CT FFR on ML enhanced the performance of coronary computed tomography angiography by accurately reclassifying hemodynamically insignificant stenosis and performed similarly to CFD-based CT-FF. Such developments are anticipated to create opportunities for market expansion.
North America is the most significant global fractional flow reserve (FFR) market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 11.88% during the forecast period. Compared to other regions, the North American region is expanding exponentially due to favorable patient demographics and the availability of developed infrastructure. The economic burden of cardiovascular diseases continues to increase in this region. Every year, millions of patients experience symptoms that may be associated with coronary artery disease. Likewise, over 7 million Americans visit emergency departments annually with chest pain complaints.
Additionally, the number of stenting procedures is increasing, indicating a tremendous opportunity for FFR diagnostics. In the United States, approximately 1 in 13 adults 18 years and older have coronary artery disease. North America exhibits a significant market share in the realm of endovascular procedures, namely those pertaining to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This dominance can be attributed to the escalating prevalence of such operations in the region.
Europe is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 12.52% over the forecast period. This region is growing consistently due to the favorable demographics of its patients and the widespread awareness of numerous advanced treatment options and technologically advanced non-invasive cardiovascular treatments. In Europe, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is rising dramatically due to multiple risk factors, including a decline in physical labor, an aging population, and a rotund population. Interventional cardiology is expanding rapidly in Europe. The number of regional facilities that perform these and other diagnostic procedures is growing.
In addition, the number of stenting procedures performed in Europe is rising due to favorable conditions such as reimbursement and physicians' increased adoption of healthcare technologies. In Europe, there is a decline in office laboratories due to inadequate reimbursement. However, the number of CATH labs is steadily growing, driving the use of FFR procedures.