High level of low density lipoprotein
(LDL) cholesterol in blood may turn life-threatening, as it deposits in
the blood vessels, narrowing the lumen, and leads to coronary heart
diseases. This condition is commonly called atherosclerosis. LDL
apheresis is a procedure that involves withdrawing blood from the
patient’s body, removing LDL cholesterol and pumping the remaining blood
back into the patient’s body. The LDL apheresis procedure is
recommended to patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a
common genetic disorder that leads to a high level of LDL cholesterol.
This procedure is also performed for patients who are non-responsive to
medications for lowering blood LDL cholesterol levels. The heterozygous
type of FH has prevalence of 1 in 500 across all the countries, while
the homozygous FH is found in 1 in 10 million population.
According to the World Health
Organization, in 2008, the prevalence of elevated total cholesterol was
54% in Europe, 48% in North America, and 29% in Southeast Asia. It is
estimated that one-third of the heart diseases are caused due to
elevated level of cholesterol in the blood. Lifestyle-induced diseases,
pollution, and other metabolic diseases are further projected to
increase the number of patients with atherosclerosis. Other application
areas for LDL apheresis therapy are under study such as renal diseases,
hematology diseases, and others. This is projected to drive the demand
for LDL apheresis machines and disposables in the near future. Moreover,
favorable reimbursement scenario in developed markets such as North
America and Europe is driving more patients to opt for LDL apheresis
therapy. However, the procedure attracts high capital investment in
terms of device and set up. It also attract expensive consumables and
skilled healthcare professionals to perform the procedure, which in turn
makes the procedure expensive.
The global LDL apheresis therapy market
is segmented on the basis of product, technology, and end-user. In terms
of product, the global LDL apheresis therapy market can be segmented
into devices and disposables, the disposable segment include columns,
filters, tubing, etc. In terms of technology, the global LDL apheresis
therapy market can be segmented into double filtration plasmapheresis or
cascade filtration, immunoadsorption, heparin-induced LDL precipitation
(HELP), dextran sulphate lipid adsorption, and hemoperfusion. The
hemoperfusion is performed by advanced procedures such as direct
adsorption of lipoproteins (DALI) and whole blood perfusion (Liposorber
D). Dextran sulfate lipid adsorption and HELP are the most widely
employed techniques for LDL apheresis in recent years. However,
technically advanced hemoperfusion systems are found to be more
promising and are anticipated to dominate the market in near future due
to their efficiency and simplicity of use. In terms of end-user, the
global LDL apheresis therapy market can be segmented into hospitals,
ambulatory surgical centers, and blood banks.
In terms of geography, the global LDL
apheresis therapy market can be segmented into North America, Europe,
Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. North America is estimated to hold a
prominent share of the global LDL apheresis therapy market and is
anticipated to expand at a high growth rate due to acceptance of
technology, well-established healthcare industry, and high healthcare
expenditure from the public and private sector. Europe is projected to
follow North America in terms of share of the global LDL apheresis
therapy market due to increasing prevalence of elevated cholesterol in
blood and developments in healthcare infrastructure. Technical
advancements in markets such as Japan and increasing healthcare
expenditure in emerging markets such as India and China are likely to
propel the LDL apheresis therapy market in Asia Pacific in the near
future.
Major players operating in the global LDL
apheresis therapy market include Kaneka Pharma Europe N.V, B. Braun
Melsungen AG, Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA, Asahi Kasei
Medical Co., Ltd., Medicap GmbH, Kawasumi Laboratories Inc. Terumo
Corporation, and Haemonetics Corporation.
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