Imaging-related medications, also known as contrast agents or contrast media are vital requirements during medical imaging procedures. Contrast media are commonly used in diagnostic imaging procedures to improve visualization of computed tomography (CT), radiographic, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. These contrast materials allows the radiologists to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues and structures. These contrast agents help physicians to diagnose medical conditions by contrasting the selected areas of the body from surrounding tissues and improving the visibility of specific organs, blood vessels or tissues. There are various contrast media agents available in the market such as iodinated contrast media, barium-sulphate, and gadolinium-based contrast media. These are administered either orally, or by rectal, or by intravenous route. Rapid rise in chronic ailments such as cancer, cardiac diseases, neurological disorders will lead to increased demand for diagnostic image-guided procedures. This, in turn, is expected to drive the demand for contrast media in the future. Rapid technological advancements in imaging modalities will pave the way for the growth of the contrast media market in the future. Moreover, major industry players are also focused on emerging economies such as India and China in order to tap the untapped regions owing to presence of large patient pool, high prevalence of chronic diseases, and increasing radiological examinations. This will pave the way for the growth of contrast media market in the coming years.

The global contrast media market has been segmented based on product, modality, application, route of administration, and region. Based on product type, the global contrast media market is categorized into iodinated, gadolinium-based, barium-based and microbubble contrast media. Iodinated contrast media segment held largest share of the global market in 2018 owing to its widespread adoption in radiological procedures such as X-ray, CT scans, and ultrasound, high efficacy in diagnostic imaging procedures along with reduced toxicity issues.

On the basis of modality, the global contrast media market is segregated into X-ray/CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. X-ray/CT segment dominated the global contrast media market in 2018 owing to high adoption of contrast media agents in X-ray and CT imaging procedures for 3D imaging of a variety of tissue types and organ systems, such as the gastrointestinal tract, renal tract, cardiovascular system, lungs, liver, bone, cartilage, tumorous tissue. Moreover, CT imaging is time saving, less expensive, and more readily available than other medical imaging modalities such as MRI and positron emission tomography (PET). These factors will accelerate the demand for iodinated contrast media used majorly used in X-ray/CT imaging procedures.

On the basis of application, the global contrast media market is segmented into gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurological diseases, nephrological disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, and others. Cardiovascular diseases segment held majority of the market share in 2018 owing to wide adoption of contrast media agents in cardiac intervention procedures such as angioplasty and angiography.

On the basis of route of administration, contrast media or contrast agents are segmented into intravascular, oral, rectal route, and others. Intravascular route is used to deliver accurate measurements of contrast agents at a varying flow rate. It helps to improve blood and tissue perfusion and enhances the medical imaging procedure. These are majorly utilized in diagnosis of internal injuries, cancer, vascular disease, heart disease, and gastrointestinal disorders among others.

The global contrast media market is cumulative to North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. North America dominated the global contrast media market in 2018, however Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a highest pace through 2025.

High adoption of contrast media or agents in radiology procedures, increase in approval of contrast agents along with surging volume of minimally invasive surgeries performed in the U.S. are major factors expected to drive the contrast media market in the region. Furthermore, availability of advanced technologies and equipment, high volume of diagnostic imaging procedures, and presence of well-established healthcare infrastructure are other major factors likely to boost the growth of the market in North America.

However, Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a rapid pace over the next few years. Increasing prevalence of chronic disorders such as cardiac diseases, cancer and high mortality associated with these diseases in China, India and Japan drives the demand for imaging procedures for early disease diagnosis and treatment. This will subsequently propel the demand for contrast media agents used in these imaging procedures. Moreover, growing awareness about contrast media used in radiological examinations along with increase in investments by industry players in the developing economies are major factors anticipated to drive the growth of the market in the region.