Vascular Imaging Market Size, Growth, Share & Trends Analysis

The rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) directly drives the vascular imaging market, as more people develop heart and vascular conditions, resulting in a greater demand for accurate, timely, and non-invasive diagnostic tools. Advanced imaging techniques, such as ultrasound, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and CT/MR angiography, help clinicians detect, monitor, and guide treatment for CVDs. Higher patient volumes translate into increased utilization of imaging systems in hospitals, diagnostic centers, and ambulatory clinics, prompting healthcare providers to invest in state-of-the-art vascular imaging technologies to improve patient outcomes and support preventive care. • The stable age-standardized CVD prevalence indicates that overall preventive efforts have had limited net impact, while declining age-standardized mortality reflects improved medical care. However, crude cardiovascular deaths are expected to rise sharply due to global aging, with atherosclerotic diseases driving much of the growing burden. (Source: PubMed, 2025) • Globally, cardiovascular risk is driven by a combination of clinical factors, hypertension (24%), diabetes (10%), dyslipidemia (39%), and lifestyle behaviors like smoking (36%), alcohol use (16%), tobacco use (causing 1.9 million deaths), poor diet (12%), and physical inactivity (11%). Psychosocial stress, depression, major life events (32%), along with genetic and socio-economic factors, further increase the risk of intravascular thrombosis and cardiovascular events, creating varied outcomes across populations. (Source: PubMed, 2024) • By 2050, Asia’s crude CVD prevalence is expected to reach 729.5 million, a 109% increase from 2025, with ischemic heart disease (338 million), peripheral artery disease (151 million), and stroke (144.3 million) comprising nearly 87% of cases. Heart failure is projected at 74.5 million, a 127.6% rise from 2025. (Source: Elsevier, 2024) The rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases driven by aging populations, lifestyle risk factors, and the increasing burden of conditions such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease is fueling demand for accurate and timely diagnostic tools. This surge in CVD cases directly boosts the need for advanced vascular imaging technologies, including ultrasound, IVUS, OCT, and CT/MR angiography, as healthcare providers seek to detect, monitor, and manage vascular conditions effectively. Consequently, the growing patient pool and the emphasis on early diagnosis and minimally invasive interventions are key factors driving sustained growth in the vascular imaging market.  

Advanced vascular imaging systems, such as CT angiography, MR angiography, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and AI-enabled OCT, involve substantial initial investments. The equipment itself is expensive, and additional costs arise from maintenance, software updates, and specialized consumables, such as contrast agents and catheters. These high capital and operational expenses often limit access, particularly in smaller hospitals or developing regions, restricting the widespread adoption of these technologies. Beyond the financial burden, these systems demand significant human and technical resources. Skilled radiologists, cardiologists, and trained technicians are essential for accurate image acquisition and interpretation. Furthermore, infrastructure requirements, such as dedicated imaging suites, IT integration, and data storage, add to the complexity and cost. As a result, the deployment of vascular imaging technologies remains concentrated in well-resourced centers, slowing equitable access to advanced vascular care. In emerging nations like Brazil, the average cost of high- and very-high-field MRI systems ranges from USD 1.3 million to USD 2.0 million. A mid-range slice CT system costs approximately USD 150,000 to USD 300,000. The cost of a PET system ranges from USD 400,000 to USD 600,000, while a SPECT system costs between USD 250,000 and USD 400,000. These high costs, along with maintenance expenses, tend to hinder market growth. In the US, a CT system can cost up to USD 2.5 million. MRI machines are slightly more expensive, reaching around USD 3 million. Ultrasound systems range from USD 10,000 to USD 200,000, depending on brand and type. Due to the rising demand for affordable medical imaging equipment, the adoption of refurbished devices is increasing, which may restrict market growth during the forecast period. Moreover, healthcare facilities that purchase such costly systems often depend on third-party payers (such as Medicare, Medicaid, or private health insurance plans) for reimbursement for the costs incurred in the diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic procedures performed using these systems. As a result, continuous cuts in reimbursements for diagnostic imaging scans and the increasing cost of vascular imaging systems are preventing medium-sized and small healthcare facilities from investing in technologically advanced systems.

Emerging economies such as India, China, Brazil, South Korea, Turkey, Russia, and South Africa present attractive opportunities for the vascular imaging market. These countries are experiencing a surge in the prevalence of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular and neurological disorders, peripheral artery disease, and stroke, which are major drivers for diagnostic imaging demand. The large patient base, coupled with growing healthcare awareness and improved access to screening programs, is creating a strong need for advanced vascular imaging solutions. Governments and private healthcare providers in these countries are making substantial investments in diagnostic facilities, which are improving access to vascular imaging services. Manufacturers are responding by expanding their presence through local production units, partnerships with hospitals and diagnostic chains, and the launch of cost-effective imaging systems designed for high-volume use. For example, Siemens Healthineers has strengthened its presence in Asia by setting up a manufacturing facility in India to produce magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. Furthermore, regulatory policies in the Asia Pacific and other emerging markets are becoming more supportive, enabling faster product approvals and encouraging global players to introduce the latest imaging technologies in these regions. As competition and pricing pressure intensify in developed markets, manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing emerging markets to capture untapped demand. This focus is expected to drive the adoption of modern vascular imaging technologies, improve clinical outcomes, and generate sustainable long-term growth for market participants. Imaging systems locally, reducing costs and improving availability.

Hospitals in the US are facing increasing financial pressure, which limits their ability to invest in advanced imaging technologies. While overall operating costs have risen sharply in recent years, reimbursement rates have failed to keep pace, resulting in squeezed profit margins and forcing administrators to delay or scale back capital investments. Many hospitals are now operating with reduced cash reserves and older equipment, as capital budgets shrink and equipment replacement cycles lengthen. The average age of diagnostic imaging systems is increasing, and planned upgrades are frequently postponed. These trends are particularly pronounced in rural and community hospitals, where financial vulnerabilities are more pronounced. In parallel, hospitals are absorbing substantial underpayments from public insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, further limiting available funds for infrastructure upgrades. This has led to difficult choices, with spending often prioritized for immediate patient care needs over long-term investments in technology. As a result, there is a growing migration of imaging procedures from hospital-based settings to outpatient imaging centers, which offer lower-cost alternatives. Hospitals face declining imaging volumes, further weakening the financial justification for high-cost imaging system purchases or upgrades. This shift is contributing to a reduction in imaging capacity within hospitals and delayed access to advanced diagnostics for patients.