Japan’s intracranial stents market rises amidst hospital backlogs

The device is mainly used for patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD).

The intracranial stents market in Japan is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of about 14% between 2020 and 2025, as hospitals work through the backlog of neurological procedures amidst vaccinations, according to a report from GlobalData.

Although intracranial stenting procedure is rarely performed, it is driven in Japan by a rising prevalence of ICAD to which it is performed, as well as high awareness of stroke and ICAD, GlobalData’s medical devices analyst Anusha Kaushik said.

Previously, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was performed on ICAD patients in Japan with intracranial stenosis; and balloon-expandable coronary stents were sometimes used off-label to treat post-PTA restenosis.

However, the Japanese national health insurance system has now started reimbursement for intracranial stenting procedures which is expected to result in higher procedure volumes in the coming years.

“Intracranial stenting is expected to grow in Japan due to factors such as increased training and experience of healthcare professionals, increased usage of stents for rescue therapy in acute stroke patients, and the successful reporting of long-term stenting results,” Kaushik added.