Vascular Grafts Market

Market Overview

The global vascular grafts market size was valued at USD 1.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 3.6 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period (2024-2032). The increasing frequency of chronic renal disorders, aortic aneurysms, and cardiovascular illnesses is likely to fuel vascular grafts market growth.

Vascular grafts are medical devices that bypass or replace sick or damaged blood vessels in individuals suffering from cardiovascular or vascular illnesses. These grafts act as conduits, redirecting blood flow around blockages or areas of injury, restoring healthy circulation, and averting problems like ischemia or tissue damage.

The rising global incidence of vascular illnesses such as peripheral artery disease (PAD), coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and aneurysms is a prominent driver of market growth. Furthermore, rising healthcare spending, the availability of reimbursement policies, and rising demand for technologically sophisticated products are expected to open up several prospects for market growth during the projection period. Technological developments are propelling the development of next-generation tissue-engineered vascular grafts to treat a variety of vasculopathies. This technique efficiently addresses intimal hyperplasia, thrombosis, and constructive graft remodeling.

Highlights

• Endovascular Stent Grafts generate the highest revenue in the market by product.
• Cardiac Aneurysm accounts for the largest share by application.
• Synthetic Vascular Grafts are the primary raw material in the market.

Market Dynamics

Global Vascular Grafts Market Drivers:

Rising Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease 

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which include coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and aneurysms, are major sources of morbidity and mortality globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, killing an estimated 17.9 million people each year. In 2021, CVD killed 20.5 million people, accounting for over one-third of all deaths worldwide. Furthermore, millions of people suffer from peripheral artery disorders (PADs), which are characterized by restricted or blocked arteries in the legs and cause symptoms such as leg pain, ulceration, and decreased movement. In India, the prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) ranges between 7.6% and 26.7%. PAD is an essential atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), similar to coronary artery disease (CAD), although it is frequently disregarded due to a lack of public or physician awareness. PAD is more common in elderly persons, with 14.91% of those aged 80 to 84 experiencing it. PAD affects about 10% of the US population, and 30% to 40% of these people suffer claudication symptoms. 

Additionally, the rising prevalence of cardiovascular and peripheral artery illnesses needs surgical procedures, including the use of vascular grafts, to restore blood flow and avoid complications, including heart attacks, strokes, and limb amputations. As the global frequency of these diseases rises, so will the demand for vascular grafts, driving market expansion. Medical device makers are aggressively developing new graft technologies to meet the changing clinical needs of patients with vascular disorders, accelerating market growth.

Global Vascular Grafts Market Restraints:

High Cost

One of the most common uses of vascular grafts is in CABG surgery, which involves bypassing blocked or restricted coronary arteries and restoring blood flow to the heart. However, CABG procedures can be expensive because of the surgery's intricacy, advanced graft materials, and the requirement for specialist medical equipment and post-operative care. The average cost of a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in the United States in 2021 was USD 123,000, including physician costs. CABG surgery costs differ in various locations, including Europe and Asia-Pacific, but they are generally high, adding to the financial burden on healthcare systems and patients. The high cost of CABG surgery may cause financial difficulties for patients, particularly those who do not have enough health insurance coverage or financial means. Furthermore, treating aortic graft infection with a cryopreserved arterial homograft in Germany costs between USD 28,000 and USD 53,000, against USD 11,000 to USD 22,000 for silver-coated grafts. Furthermore, the quantity of deceased donors limits the availability of homografts.

Moreover,  the high expense of vascular graft operations, such as CABG surgery, may limit access to these therapies for patients in low-income or underserved areas. Patients without proper insurance coverage or financial resources may face challenges receiving vascular graft treatments, resulting in healthcare access and outcomes inequities. Furthermore, healthcare providers and payers may have difficulty allocating resources for costly vascular procedures, especially in resource-constrained regions.

Global Vascular Grafts Market Opportunity:

Expanding Application in Endovascular Intervention

The growing trend toward minimally invasive endovascular procedures opens up possibilities for expanding the use of vascular grafts outside standard surgical settings. Endovascular procedures, such as endovascular stenting and angioplasty, combined with stent grafts and covered stents, provide less invasive treatment options for vascular illnesses like abdominal aortic aneurysms and peripheral artery disease. Vascular grafts are important in endovascular procedures because they provide structural support while sealing off damaged portions of blood arteries, lowering the risk of complications and increasing patient outcomes. According to research published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, endovascular repair has emerged as the predominant treatment option for AAA patients, accounting for roughly 70-80% of all AAA repairs in the United States.

Similarly, the growing use of vascular grafts in endovascular treatments such as EVAR creates considerable potential prospects for market participants. Endovascular grafts' safety, efficacy, and durability have increased due to advances in graft materials, stent designs, and delivery systems, driving their use in a wider range of clinical settings. Vascular graft producers invest in R&D to create next-generation stent grafts with increased flexibility, conformability, and thromboresistance to improve procedural outcomes and extend the potential market for endovascular procedures.

Regional Analysis

The global vascular grafts market share is bifurcated across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global vascular grafts market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.9% over the forecast period. The increased prevalence of cardiovascular disorders and the need for vascular procedures drive market expansion in the region. As disorders like atherosclerosis and aneurysms worsen, there is a greater need for vascular grafts to improve blood flow and manage vascular problems. According to CDC data, the prevalence of heart disease as the leading cause of death among various demographic groups in the United States highlights the urgent need for medical interventions, particularly vascular grafts. With cardiovascular disease killing one life every 33 seconds and responsible for about 699,659 deaths in 2022, there is a high demand for effective treatment options.

Additionally, in 2023, the United States dominated the vascular grafts market. The rising prevalence of renal illness is a significant factor driving market growth. According to a May 2023 article from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than one-seventh of adults in the United States, or around 37 million people. This high prevalence of CKD highlights the critical need for vascular graft procedures, which are frequently used in therapies for renal disease complications, significantly contributing to market growth in the United States.

Europe is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 8.0% over the forecast period. The vascular graft markets in Europe is expanding rapidly due to the increasing frequency of heart diseases and rising healthcare costs. The leading causes of death in European countries are stroke and ischemic heart disease (IHD). Central and Eastern European countries have a higher frequency of CVDs than the Northern, Western, and Southern. Furthermore, according to the European Commission, SCA accounts for almost 20% of all deaths in the region. As a result, market growth has been dramatically boosted. 

Furthermore, the German vascular graft markets accounted for the most significant European market share. The mortality rate from coronary heart disease (CHD) is boosting the demand for vascular grafts in Germany. According to a Medscape report from October 2023, CHD is Germany's most significant cause of mortality. In 2021, 121,172 people died from CHD, and 45,181 of them had an acute heart attack. The CHD death rate stood at 129.7 per 100,000 people. This high mortality rate shows the urgent need for innovative medical solutions, increasing the need for vascular grafts in Germany. 

Asia-Pacific's vascular grafts market is expected to expand quickly in 2023. The rising prevalence of kidney illnesses in Asia Pacific drives demand for vascular grafts. The region has an estimated 434.3 million cases, with 65.6 million people suffering from advanced disease. The frequency ranges greatly, ranging from 4.7% to 17.4%. China and India have the most outstanding obligations in this regard. Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular disease are among the risk factors contributing to Asia's 34% prevalence rate. This considerable prevalence serves as a primary driver of market expansion. 

In addition, China's vascular graft markets is predicted to develop at a substantial CAGR over the forecast period. Given the increasing prevalence of age-related disorders, particularly vascular diseases, the older population represents a significant market opportunity for vascular grafts. As a large proportion of the senior population battles with cardiovascular health difficulties, there is a growing demand for advanced medical procedures, such as vascular grafts, to meet their essential healthcare needs. According to The Global Times, the geriatric population, which accounts for 14.9% of the overall population, emerges as a critical driver of market growth.

Segmental Analysis

The global vascular grafts market is segmented based on product, application, and raw material.

The market by product is further segmented into Hemodialysis Access Grafts, Endovascular Stent Grafts, Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts, Vascular Grafts for Aorta Disease, and Peripheral Vascular Grafts.

The endovascular stent grafts segment dominated the market in 2023, accounting for 65% of total revenue. Endovascular stent-grafts, also known as endovascular grafts or stent-grafts, are minimally invasive devices used in endovascular procedures to treat a variety of vascular conditions, including abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs), and peripheral artery disease (PAD). These grafts consist of a flexible fabric tube supported by a metal or polymer stent framework and are inserted into the damaged blood artery utilizing catheters. Endovascular stent grafts are a less invasive alternative to standard open surgical treatment, resulting in lower procedural morbidity, shorter hospital stays, and faster patient recovery.

Peripheral vascular grafts bypass or replace defective parts of peripheral arteries or veins in the lower, upper, and visceral regions. These grafts may be used to treat disorders like peripheral artery disease (PAD), critical limb ischemia (CLI), arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) for hemodialysis access, and vascular trauma. Peripheral vascular grafts can be made from autologous vein grafts (such as the saphenous or arm veins) or synthetic materials (such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene or polyester) and are matched to the patient's individual anatomical and hemodynamic needs. They are surgically implanted to restore blood flow, alleviate ischemic symptoms, and avoid limb loss in patients suffering from peripheral vascular disease.

The vascular grafts market can be bifurcated by application into Cardiac Aneurysm, Kidney Failure, Vascular Occlusion, and Coronary Artery Disease.

The cardiac aneurysm category dominated the market in 2023, accounting for 55% of total revenue. Vascular grafts are used to treat cardiac aneurysms, which are localized bulges or outpouchings that form in weaker parts of the heart muscle (myocardium), usually after a previous myocardial infarction (heart attack). These aneurysms can cause abnormal cardiac function, resulting in problems like arrhythmias, thromboembolism, and heart failure. Vascular grafts can be used in surgical operations to repair or reinforce the wall of a cardiac aneurysm, lowering the risk of rupture while increasing myocardial contractility and restoring normal cardiac function.

Vascular grafts are essential in establishing consistent vascular access for hemodialysis in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who require renal replacement therapy. Hemodialysis access grafts, arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) or grafts (AVGs), are surgically produced to provide a conduit for blood flow between an artery and a vein, allowing multiple needle insertions during dialysis treatments. These vascular grafts allow for the efficient elimination of metabolic waste products and excess fluid from the bloodstream during hemodialysis sessions, which aids in managing renal failure and overall health.

Based on raw material, the market for vascular grafts is fragmented into Synthetic and Biological Vascular Grafts.

The synthetic vascular grafts segment has the highest market revenue share. Synthetic vascular grafts are made of artificial materials such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane, or polyester. These materials have various benefits, including constant quality, longevity, and resistance to infection. Synthetic grafts come in multiple shapes, including woven, knitted, and non-woven architectures, and can be impregnated with heparin or other bioactive chemicals to improve biocompatibility and patency. They are frequently utilized in various vascular procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), peripheral vascular bypass surgery, and hemodialysis access procedures. Synthetic vascular grafts have a predictable function and long-term durability, making them appropriate when biologically produced graft materials are contraindicated or unavailable.

Furthermore, prominent market participants include LeMaitre Vascular, Inc. and B. Braun SE, which offer vascular grafts made of polyester materials. The availability of polyester vascular grafts from these leading companies is expected to fuel expansion in this segment throughout the forecast period.

Biological vascular grafts, also known as natural or biologic grafts, are made from human or animal tissue, including autologous veins (e.g., saphenous vein, internal mammary artery), allografts (cadaveric donor tissue), and xenografts (animal-derived tissue). These grafts have high biocompatibility, thromboresistance, and endothelial cell adhesion, and they closely resemble the natural shape and function of blood arteries. Biological grafts can serve as conduits for coronary artery bypass grafting, peripheral artery bypass operations, and vascular reconstructive techniques. They are instrumental in circumstances requiring physiological hemostasis, endothelialization, or tissue integration. However, biological grafts may have constraints such as availability, variability in quality, and the potential of immunogenicity or disease transmission, necessitating careful patient selection and clinical evaluation.

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