Economic Growth in the Asia Pacific Region Producing More Sedentary Lifestyles, Increasing Risk of Heart Disease

(PRWEB) August 17, 2006

Waltham, Massachusetts -- Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, finds that an expanding elderly population and rapid economic growth in Asia Pacific have resulted in an increase in sedentary lifestyles. Inactivity and old age put individuals at greater risk for heart disease. Escalating rates of cardiovascular disease will lead directly to more patients requiring diagnostic angiographies to detect the presence and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). According to a new report entitled Asia Pacific Markets for Interventional Cardiology 2006, the market for interventional cardiology (IC) devices, which includes Australia, China (excluding Hong Kong and Taiwan), India, and South Korea, was valued at nearly $600 million in 2005.

In addition to demographic and socioeconomic drivers, IC procedures will be fueled by the adoption of drug-eluting stents (DES). The success of DES has increased patient and hospital awareness of IC treatment as an alternative to open surgery. This awareness has resulted in higher demand for diagnosis and treatment of CAD. DES have also expanded the eligible patient base for percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), as stenting continues to be employed in more complex cases. As DES become more affordable and widespread across Asia Pacific over the next five years, PCI procedures will continue to rise.

MRG’s Asia Pacific Markets for Interventional Cardiology 2006 report is part of the Global Markets for Interventional Cardiology series, which includes analysis on the United States, Europe, Japan and Latin America. The series covers various key industry competitors, including Cordis (JNJ), Boston Scientific (BSX), Medtronic (MDT), Microport Medical, Sahajanand Medical Technologies, Abbott Vascular/Guidant (ABT), Biotronik, Terumo, and St. Jude Medical (STJ).

About Drug Eluting Stents

DES, built on the same platforms as bare metal stents (BMS), are coated with proprietary drugs that are released into the body postoperatively. These drugs have been clinically proven to reduce the chances of restenosis (where arteries become blocked again), an occurrence commonly associated with BMS.

About Millennium Research Group

Millennium Research Group (http://www.MRG.net), a Decision Resources, Inc. company (http://www.DecisionResources.com), is a leading provider of strategic information to the health care sector. Focused solely on the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries, the company provides its clients with the benefits of its specialized industry expertise through published reports and customized consulting services.

All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Amy Krohn

Millennium Research Group

416-364-7776 x101

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