U.S. Contrast Media Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Gadolinium, Iodinated), By Application (Cardiovascular, Neurological Disorders), By Modality (MRI, X-ray/CT Scan), And Segment- Industry Analysis, Share, Growth, Regional Outlook and Forecasts, 2023-2032

The U.S. contrast media market size was estimated at USD 2.25 billion in 2022 and is expected to surpass around USD 3.37 billion by 2032 and poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.13% during the forecast period 2023 to 2032.

Key Takeaways:

• By Type, the U.S. contrast media market was valued at USD 2.0 billion in 2022 and expected to witness growth at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2023 to 2032.
• The basis of type, iodinated contrast agents captured the largest share of 65.18% of the overall revenue in 2022.
• The segment growth.However, gadolinium-based contrast media are anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.
• The largest segment in 2022 and accounted for a revenue share of more than 67.5%.
• In 2022, the neurological disorder segment accounted for the highest revenue share of more than 31.06%.
• The cardiovascular disorder segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

U.S. Contrast Media Market Report Scope

The increasing burden of chronic diseases is creating a demand for diagnostic imaging procedures, which, in turn, is driving the market. Imaging tests, such as MRI, have become an integral part of the diagnosis for most diseases, and large-scale penetration of imaging technology in healthcare has increased the demand for contrast media in the U.S. market. Moreover, the rising demand for imaging procedures has resulted in extensive R&D activities by contrast media manufacturers to launch novel products in the market and to get approved for new indications.

For instance, in 2021, Bracco got the U.S. FDA approval for the 20-vial pack configuration of Lumason, which is an ultrasound contrast media agent. This, in turn, is expected to drive the market over the forecast period.The COVID-19 outbreak had a negative impact on the market due to the decreased patient visits to hospitals. The pandemic has put significant strain on healthcare systems. Healthcare institutes and providers were instructed to stop performing elective surgical procedures and medical examinations to slow the spread of the disease and conserve healthcare resources for COVID-19 patients. For instance, diagnosis of heart diseases decreased by nearly two-thirds across the world during the early months of the pandemic as countries and patients prioritized COVID-19.

Similarly, screenings for breast, colon, lung, and prostate dropped by 85%, 75%, 56%, and 74% respectively indicating the fall in revenue in 2020. The American College of Radiology (ACR), which represents nearly 40,000 radiologists in the United States, issued guidance that CTs and X-rays should not be used as a first-line tool to diagnose or screen for COVID-19, as it is highly contagious.As a result, many radiology departments experienced a rapid decline in imaging case volume. All diagnostic procedures except COVID-19 diagnosis showed a significant decline in 2020, which affected the market growth.However, with the launch of COVID-19 vaccines and ease in restrictions, import & export of raw materials has resumed, therefore, the market is expected to grow at a significant pace over the forecast period.

The growing prevalence of complex comorbidities and long-term diseases has led to an increase in diagnostic imaging tests including ultrasound, X-rays, and advanced imaging technology, such as MRI & CT scans. For instance, in November 2019, GE Healthcare received the U.S. FDA approval for Clariscan, a contrast agent used for macrocyclic MRI. These products help in identifying the need for perioperative scans before surgeries and treatment in interventional procedures. Thisis likely to boostmarket growth. According to the National Health Council, in 2020, nearly 157 million people in the U.S. were affected by chronic diseases, out of which, around 81 million had multiple conditions, which is indicative of a high incidence of chronic conditions. This, in turn, is anticipated to drive the market over the forecast period.

Moreover, technological advancements in contrast media agents are projected to have a significant impact on the market. Diagnostic imaging modalities are being increasingly employed because of advancements in the underlying technology, ranging from equipment to administration technology. Innovative products, such as syringeless injectors, reduce wastage as well as help in achieving greater accuracy to deliver the right dose of contrast agents. These injectors reduce the examination time, which leads to increased patient throughput. Furthermore, the introduction of digital solutions that aid in the management of contrast agent injection is anticipated to drive market growth.

For instance, in 2018, Guerbet launched Contrast&Care 2.0, a digital solution that connects all CT, Cath laboratory, and MRI injectors and has a smart reader & connectivity feature, enabling users to scan and read data on their smartphones as well as computers.In addition, the development of strategies, such as research activities related to Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents (GBCAs), for chelation & stabilization of Gd3+ ions to improve their contrast enhancement, selective imaging of a pathological site, and safety profile is further anticipated to drive market growth. For instance, engineering of GBCAs into different nanoparticulate systems, such as mesoporous silica nanoparticles, liposomes, plasmonic nanoparticles, and nanocarriers, is anticipated to improve their biocompatibility, stability, safety profile, and pharmacokinetics. Thereby, boosting the market growth over the forecast period.

Type Insights

On the basis of type, iodinated contrast agents captured the largest share of 65.18% of the overall revenue in 2022. This can be attributed to the high penetration of X-ray and CT procedures as well as the availability of nonionic stable iodinated agents for improved diagnosis. Iodine-based contrast media are used to enhance CT and X-ray images. They are used to enhance visualization of the GI tract, internal organs, arteries & veins, soft tissues, and the brain. Generally, all radiological examinations performed using injected contrast media involve iodinated contrast media. Iodine-based contrast media have excellent radio-opacity and low toxicity than other agents.

Iodinated contrasted media are widely applicable in a broad number of indications including neurological, nephrological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal disorders as well as cancer. Thereby, contributing to the segment growth.However, gadolinium-based contrast media are anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Its role in increasing image clarity, enhancing the visibility of blood vessels, inflammation, and tumors improves the overall diagnostic accuracy without the risk of exposure to ionizing radiation. Generally, they are used to enhance imaging of internal organs, the GI tract, brain, arteries & veins, and soft tissues. Gadolinium-based contrast media are also indicated for cardiovascular disorders, neurological disorders, and cancers.

Modality Insights

On the basis of modalities, the market has been further segmented into ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and X-ray/Computed Tomography (CT). X-ray/CT was the largest segment in 2022 and accounted for a revenue share of more than 67.5%. Wide acceptance and cost-efficiency of X-ray/CT modality boost the adoption of contrast agents used for this modality type. X-ray/CT-based contrast agents comprise iodinated agents and barium-based contrast agents that are used in diagnostic procedures for numerous diseases and are less expensive.

In addition, X-ray/CT contrast agents help produce high-resolution 3D images of structures, thereby, contributing to the segment growth.However, the magnetic resonance imaging segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Nowadays, gadolinium contrast agents are used in nearly one out of three MRI scans, which indicates the popularity of these agents in MRI procedures. MRI contrast agents are most often the best option for imaging of soft tissues for the detection of cancer. In addition, they are used to visualize lesions during MRI scans for detection of neurological disorders, aortoiliac occlusive diseases, and liver diseases.

Application Insights

Based on the application, the market is segmented into cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, cancer, nephrological, and musculoskeletal disorders. In 2022, the neurological disorder segment accounted for the highest revenue share of more than 31.06%. Diagnostic evaluation of CNS for neurological disorders boosts the adoption of MRI contrast agents as they provide better images of neural structures than CT. GBCAs are utilized for visualization of demyelinated, inflammatory, and neoplastic lesions.Gadavist, Dotarem, and Prohance are the most widely used macrocyclic GBCAs for the diagnosis of neurological disorders in the U.S. In addition, X-ray/CT contrast agents find wide applications in diagnosing neurological conditions, which further contributes to the segment growth.

However, the cardiovascular disorder segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging of the cardiovascular system or echocardiography is the most widely used modality for imaging of the cardiovascular system in adult and pediatric patients. Optison, Definity, and Lumason are the most widely used ultrasound contrast agents in the U.S. They are indicated in patients with suboptimal echocardiograms for opacifying the left ventricle and improving delineation of the left ventricular endocardial border. Moreover, the removal of contraindications for ultrasound contrast agents and extended use of Visipaque are cumulatively expected to boost MRI and CT contrast material sales, particularly in the U.S.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Key players are adopting strategies, such as mergers & acquisitions and indication extension, to enhance their market position. Acquisitions aid companies in increasing their presence with wider geographical reach and stronger portfolios. Disease indication extension is popular in this market as it enables companies to gain the confidence of select population subsets. With approvals for specific indications, companies target niche patient cohorts and boost the adoption of their products. For instance, in 2017, GE Healthcare’s Visipaque received U.S. FDA approval for use in coronary computed tomography angiography in adults and pediatric patients.

The new CCTA offered a non-invasive approach to diagnosis allowing healthcare practitioners to image coronary arteries of patients with CAD. Similarly, in September 2021, Lantheus Holdings, Inc. and RefleXion Medical, Inc., announced development and commercialization collaboration in evaluating the use of piflufolastat F18, Lantheus’ prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent, to enable real-time therapeutic guidance of biology-guided radiotherapy. Some prominent players in the U.S. contrast media market include:

• Bayer AG
• GE Healthcare
• Guerbet
• Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc.
• Bracco Diagnostic, Inc.
• Nano Therapeutics Pvt. Ltd.
• Trivitron Healthcare
• CMC Contrast AB
• IMAX Diagnostic Imaging

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2032. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the U.S. Contrast Media market.

By Type 

• Microbubble Contrast Media
• Gadolinium-based Contrast Media
• Iodinated Contrast Media
• Barium-based Contrast Media

By Modality 

• Ultrasound
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• X-ray/Computed Tomography (CT Scan)

By Application 

• Cardiovascular
• Neurological Disorders
• Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Cancer
• Nephrological Disorders
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Others