The big five European Union markets – Germany, France, the UK, Spain, and Italy – are expected to see strong growth in some of the more common cardiovascular device implant procedures over the next four years, with ventricular assist device (VAD) implantations topping the list. All five major EU markets are forecast to experience healthy mid-teen compound annual growth rates in VAD implantation volume, according to recently published European procedure volume reports from Medtech Insight.

With the rivalry between Thoratec and HeartWare intensifying in the LVAD space, all eyes are now on recent strategic acquisitions by both companies, as well as ongoing clinical studies and next-generation devices in the pipeline.

BioVentrix Inc. is developing a unique, minimally invasive approach to reshaping the heart’s scarred and enlarged left ventricle aimed at patients who develop ischemic heart failure following a heart attack. The company has made considerable headway with its technology, which offers an interesting balance between a catheter-based and surgical-based procedure; however, CEO Kenneth Miller, well aware of the pitfalls that have plagued earlier companies in this field, is taking a cautious approach to the US market.