Despite funding limitations in European healthcare investment, cardiology PACS are expected to boom by 2012, due largely to end-users getting swamped by mountains of cardiology information and facilities are in need of a solution. This fact, plus ever-improving cardiology-specific tools within the PACS and cardiology information systems (CIS) will drive the market to grow from of $73.6 million in 2005 and estimates this will reach $200.5 million in 2012, according to new research from Frost & Sullivan.

“An aging population, rising levels of obesity, and a high incidence of heart and circulatory disease are increasing the amount of cardiology studies by 20 percent a year” said Martin Bryant, Medical Imaging Team Leader, Frost & Sullivan. “This overriding demographic factor will drive growth in the cardiology PACS market.”

Heart disease is seen as on the rise for Baby Boomers nearing retirement age, and affluent member of this population are showing a willingness to pay out-of-pocket for services not covered by public health authorities. This increased demand is one major cause of the drive towards cardiology PACS and CIS. Yet, though the funding is being found for the systems, what remains in doubt is whether facilities will be able to also afford the investment in necessary infrastructure to house them, according to Frost & Sullivan.

“In Europe, the distinct lack of healthcare investments will be felt most acutely in the cardiology PACS market, purchase of which signifies incurring substantial upfront costs,” said Bryant. “This problem is exacerbated by the predominance of the capital investment model in Europe, with many providers reluctant to take out leasing options.”

It will be essential then for facilities in Europe to adopt cardiology PACS system with open architectures to overcome restraints that users will confront, according to Frost & Sullivan.

More information: http://www.medicalimaging.frost.com