The angiography market encompasses cardiac, vascular, cardiovascular, electrophysiological imaging, neurological angiography and pediatric angiography. Use in the surgical field has also given rise to Hybrid OR systems. The core technology for these different applications remains largely the same with some variations in the components and software needed.
The technology and its uses
While the market can be segmented out based on these different medical specialty areas, the technology itself is broken into two basic types, single plane and biplane imaging. Single plane uses only one imaging gantry and view, while biplane imaging uses two imaging gantries that can be used separately or synchronized to image simultaneously from two different perspectives.
Most facilities are purchasing single plane units, which are clinically appropriate for 80 – 90 percent of the studies done. Biplane is clinically justified in pediatrics based on complex anatomy in congenital heart defects, the need to minimize contrast injections and radiation exposure. Its use is also clinically appropriate in interventional neurology due to the complex vasculature in the brain and the need to visualize anatomy real-time in a 3D manner. With software programs reducing the need for biplane in many instances this trend may change.
The expansion of interventional electrophysiology has also spurred some growth in biplane, which is due to the need to precisely position technology in the heart for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications. This is believed by some physicians to be facilitated with biplane imaging again based on the real-time 3D applications.
The largest focus of activity has been on combination cardiac and vascular labs, largely driven by cardiologists that realized they can increase their revenue by doing non-cardiac work themselves rather than referring the patient to an interventional radiologist. While this continues to be a trend it has leveled off a bit.
Areas showing the most growth include electrophysiology and Hybrid OR. This is due to an increase in minimally invasive, therapeutic approaches for diseases that previously required full open-hear surgery or the use of other implanted technology. In some cases, these diseases were virtually untreatable prior to some of the minimally invasive techniques.
Market analysis
I expect this market will continue to grow, especially in the niche areas like electrophysiology and Hybrid OR. However, the overall the market will remain stable based on a combination of the aging population and prevalence of heart and vascular disease in in these older patients. One long term growth trend to keep watch on is the shift towards improving prevention based on early identification, reducing risk factors, education and early intervention if necessary.
Single Plane
System Purchase Prices
Low High Average Price
$705,162 $1,716,252 $1,061,158
System Service Support Prices
Low High Average Price
$42,880 $111,942 $81,119
Biplane
System Purchase Prices
Low High Average Price
$1,446,000 $2,009,314 $1,732,875
System Service Support Prices
Low High Average Price
$94,636 $119,939 $108,466
Purchasers can often achieve savings from $117,000 to $140,500 off the vendor quotes for angiography systems. Savings can be considerably higher depending on the situation. Keys to success are creating a strong, united team approach, getting competitive bids and using a trusted resource to validate the financial and clinical status of your proposals.
These ranges are sound values to use for budgetary consideration, but not for negotiation. Values vary by vendor, model, clinical application and variables related to the purchase situation. This is also true for service contracts where prices are highly variable depending on the level of coverage, the model and configuration.
Data source: MD Buyline
Please note these numbers have been adjusted to exclude special deals, outliers and unique circumstances.