Cardiovascular ultrasound, also referred to as echocardiography, is the vastly used imaging modality for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases. It allows both diagnosis and development of treatment modalities. Ultrasound imaging’s advantages include ionizing-radiation-free imaging, cost-effectiveness, imaging at the patient bedside, and real-time imaging.

According to Inkwood Research, the rising cardiovascular diseases are one of the important growth drivers of the global cardiovascular ultrasound market, projecting a CAGR of 5.90% during 2022-2030. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, accounting for around 17.9 million deaths annually, as per WHO. Additionally, WHO states that 4 out of 5 CVD deaths are due to strokes or heart attacks.

The increasing technological advancements in cardiac ultrasound imaging are estimated to aid in the clinical diagnosis of several cardiovascular diseases. These advancements are rapidly changing the cardiac imaging domain.

Cardiovascular Ultrasound: Tech Advancements Over the Years

Cardiovascular ultrasound has rapidly evolved in the past decade from 1D M-mode imaging to 2D plane imaging to 3D reconstructions to 3D images in motion in real time, also known as 4D. In 3D echo imaging, advanced visualization software enables cardiology specialists to regulate images by slicing them on any plane and producing rotatable 3D images.

Further, 4D echo imaging has facilitated several possibilities in echocardiography wherein specialists can continuously update 3D images and use them to make live video viewing. Additionally, 4D platforms can reconstruct large volumes of data into 3D images repeatedly in a matter of milliseconds.

Moreover, 4D cardiac ultrasound imaging helps get color flow in real time, which can help assess the hemodynamic information in a single heart cycle. Besides, 4D offers the ability to provide multi-dimensional imaging. At the same time, there has been slow adoption of advanced technologies like 4D and 3D, given their lifespan, costs, and the need for more data.

However, according to our assessment, 2D held the largest revenue share of 42.05% in 2021 in the global cardiovascular ultrasound market by technology.

Some recent technological developments include:

  • Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI)

Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) is a new echocardiographic technique that enables Doppler principles to determine the velocity of myocardial motion. Doppler echocardiography depends on the detection of the shift in frequency of ultrasound signals reflected from moving objects. Conventional Doppler techniques measure blood flow velocity by assessing low-amplitude, high-frequency signals from small, fast-moving blood cells. Similarly, the same Doppler principles are used in TDI to quantify the same signals of myocardial tissue motion.

Further, TDI can be administered in color modes and pulsed-wave. The clinical applications of TDI include the assessment of diastolic function and LV systolic function. The conventional echocardiographic assessment of LV diastolic function depends on Doppler patterns of mitral inflow. Moreover, the novel applications of TDI include the estimation of LV Filling Pressures.

As per our analysis, Doppler is the fastest-growing technology in the cardiovascular ultrasound market, set to record a CAGR of 6.65% by 2030.

  • Strain Imaging

In cardiovascular ultrasound, the term ‘strain’ is used to describe the myocardium’s local lengthening, thickening, and shortening as a measure of regional LV function. Strain imaging uses cardiac ultrasound to determine the function of the heart muscle. Also, it is used to identify subtle changes in heart function. The test evaluates patients who have received radiation to the chest, monitors patients with cardiomyopathy, pericardial disease, and heart failure, and screens patients under cardio-toxic medications as part of cancer treatment.

How are Prominent Vendors leveraging Recent Tech Advancements?

Several major cardiac ultrasound vendors have launched many new products to enhance image quality, speed up workflow, improve valve assessments, optimize procedural guidance and structural heart evaluations, and offer artificial intelligence for automating some functions.

  • Siemens Healthineers launched the ACUSON Redwood in October 2019. It is a new ultrasound system built on the company’s new platform architecture, featuring advanced applications for greater clinical confidence and AI-powered tools for smart workflows.
  • Philips Healthcare launched Ultrasound Workspace in March 2022 at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session & Expo (ACC 2022). It is a vendor-neutral echocardiography image analysis and reporting solution accessible remotely through a browser.
  • In August 2021, Leltek announced that its LU710 series received TFDA clearance.

Future of Cardiovascular Ultrasound: AI Integration

The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiovascular ultrasound has rendered the whole procedure efficient in terms of cost-cutting and avoiding unnecessary testing. Its use in echocardiography is being researched further since AI techniques have the potential to enhance echocardiography’s diagnostic potential. For instance, the FDA authorized the first cardiac ultrasound software using AI, called Caption Guidance, to guide clinicians in capturing diagnostic-quality images of the human heart.

Furthermore, its use is important in areas like cardiac disease diagnosis, functional left ventricle assessment, automatic segmentation of the cardiac activity, and recognizing the standard section. However, at present, AI’s use is minimal in creating images. Nevertheless, it is evaluated to play a significant role since computer processing speeds continue to increase rapidly, with the next generation estimated to do more with the image data. Such tech advancements are projected to set the course for the global cardiovascular ultrasound market growth.

 

FAQs:

Which is the most lucrative country in the global cardiovascular ultrasound market?

China is the most lucrative country in the global cardiovascular ultrasound market.

Which is the fastest-growing end-user in the global cardiovascular ultrasound market?

Ambulatory care centers are the fastest-growing end-user in the global cardiovascular ultrasound market.