Surgical Ablation Technologies and Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators Leading Growth in the $9 Billion U.S. Market for Arrhythmia Management Products, According to New Analysis from Medtech Insight.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Although considerable progress has been made both in the understanding of cardiac rhythm disorders and in their clinical management, these conditions remain burdensome public health problems whose diagnosis and treatment entails the use of devices such as arrhythmia ablation products, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) systems, electrocardiography (ECG) systems, electrophysiology (EP) catheters, external defibrillators, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), and pacemakers, as well as anti-arrhythmic pharmaceuticals. In the U.S., cardiac rhythm disorders affect more than 5 million people nationwide, result in more than 1.2 million hospitalizations, approximately 400,000 deaths, and $30 billion in healthcare expenditures each year.

Medtech Insight announces the publication of a detailed market analysis of the devices and pharmaceuticals used to diagnose and treat cardiac dysrhythmias, titled "U.S. Markets for Arrhythmia Management Products," with product markets forecast from 2003 through 2013.

This just-published 305-page, comprehensive report covers the following market segments: ECG systems, pacemakers, CRT systems, ICDs, external defibrillators, EP and ablation catheters, surgical ablation systems, Class I through IV anti-arrhythmic drugs, and anticoagulants. A detailed clinical overview of arrhythmia disorders and their diagnosis and treatment is also provided, along with 80 detailed exhibits. A full table of contents for this new report and ordering information can be viewed at http://www.medtechinsight.com/ReportA230.html.

The U.S. arrhythmia management device and pharmaceutical products market, valued at over $9 billion in 2004, is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of almost 10%, to reach over $20 billion in sales in 2013. This market will be led by growth in the surgical ablation probe segment, based on the significant pool of potential patients who undergo open-chest procedures and could benefit from adjunctive ablation therapy, as well as the ICD segment, supported by the documented clinical advantages and cost-effectiveness of ICD-based therapy compared to drug regimens in the management of patients with malignant and life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias. The overall U.S. market for anti-arrhythmic pharmaceuticals -- in particular Class III drugs, warfarin and other anticoagulants -- is expected to expand from nearly $2 billion in 2004 to exceed $3 billion in 2013, representing a healthy compound annual rate of 7.7% during the forecast covered by this report.

Companies whose products and strategies are covered in this analysis include: AtriCure, C.R. Bard, Berlex/Schering, Biosense Webster/Johnson & Johnson, Biotronik, Boston Scientific, Bristol-Myers Squibb, ELA Medical/Sorin, Endocardial Solutions, GE Healthcare, Guidant, Medtronic, Philips Medical Systems, Reliant Pharmaceuticals, St. Jude Medical, Upsher-Smith Laboratories, and ZOLL Medical, to name just a few.

Now a division of Windhover Information Inc., Medtech Insight is the leading provider of business information and market intelligence for the medical technology marketplace. For more on the company's products and services, please see www.medtechinsight.com.