Benefits Of Rapid Diagnosis And Reduced Costs To Result In Greater Demand For Cardiac Markers In European Primary Care

Business Wire,  Feb 12, 2007  

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DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c50265) has announced the addition of the new Frost & Sullivan Report "European Primary Care Cardiac Diagnostics Market" to their offering.

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled European Utilisation of Cardiac Markers in Primary Care provides an overview of cardiac markers available for primary care, in addition to key market drivers, restraints and trends. Finally, it provides strategic solutions to vendors seeking to increase their market presence. In this research, Frost & Sullivan's expert analysts thoroughly examine the following markets: acute markers such as troponin T (cTnT) and troponin I (cTnI), as well as risk markers such as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).

Market Sectors

Expert Frost & Sullivan analysts thoroughly examine the following market sectors in this research:

Acute Markers:

- Troponin T (cTnT)

- Troponin I (cTnI)

Risk Markers:

- Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)

- N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT- proBNP)

Technologies

The following technologies are covered in this research:

- Acute Cardiac Markers: Acute cardiac markers are able to detect the extent of the heart condition as soon as possible so that the appropriate treatment can be applied. Cardiac biomarkers indicate the different times when the heart beats rise, peak and fall within the body, allowing them to be used not only to track the stages of a heart attack, but also to evaluate when the attack commenced and to monitor for recurrence.

- Assays: An assay is a test especially used to detect the presence and/or concentration of a component, drug or micro organism in the blood or other body fluids or tissues.

- Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP): BNP or B-type natriuretic peptide is a hormone produced by the heart. A BNP test measures the amount of this hormone in a sample of blood.

- Cardiac Marker: Cardiac markers are serum proteins and enzymes (creatine kinase, troponin, natriuretic peptides and myoglobin) that appear in abnormally elevated levels as a result of cardiac tissue injury, and therefore, serve as indicators of such injuries.

- Point-of-Care (POC): This involves the installation of automated diagnostic systems, as well as advanced technologies, electronics and the miniaturisation of instrumentation, signalling the arrival of a relatively new breed of tests that have moved diagnostics out of the traditional laboratory and closer to the patient. This type of testing is known as near patient testing or POC testing.

Market Overview

Benefits of Rapid Diagnosis and Reduced Costs to Result in Greater Demand for Cardiac Markers in European Primary Care

Over the last five years, European Governments have promoted the adoption of certain diagnostic procedures from the hospital laboratory into physician offices to ensure more efficient healthcare services. At present, the cardiac primary care diagnostics segment is one of the most rapidly growing markets in the in vitro diagnostics industry, and is exhibiting enhanced focus on point-of-care testing (POCT). Cardiac markers, such as troponins and natriuretic peptides (NPs), which are used in POCT, are likely to grow in importance since they provide crucial indications in emergencies to determine the level of cardiac disease risk as well as appropriate treatment necessary. In addition, the rapid turnabout time (TAT) of cardiac markers is likely to aid in reducing costs and improving treatment of patients admitted with chest pain.

With the introduction of new cardiac markers, POCT will be able to satisfy customer needs more effectively and is expected to be used increasingly to diagnose and monitor disease, as well as implement programmes to prevent the onset of disease, says the analyst of this research service. Hence, as physicians assume greater responsibility for early diagnostic triage, disease management and preventive medicine, the primary healthcare sector will enjoy enhanced importance. A significant advantage is that the tests can be conducted in physician offices, ambulatory settings, emergency rooms, clinics, hospitals and trauma centres, thus enabling timely and rapid diagnosis. Other benefits include the data transfer and management capabilities of key POC device used in cardiac marker testing. Hence, these advantages are expected to support the growth of the primary care cardiac diagnostics market in Europe.

Promotion of the Benefits of POCT Crucial for Market Growth

Traditionally, central laboratories have regarded decentralised testing as inefficient, and till date skepticism continues to prevail in the healthcare community. Hence, despite the benefits associated with the adoption of cardiac risk markers, such as improved cost considerations and the added value for patient well being, medical communities in the UK and France are resisting such diagnostic techniques. Physicians are skeptical in adopting novel markers as they continue to rely on cheaper, tried-and-tested methods of diagnosis without validation and scientific support, remarks the analyst.