Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product (Equipment, Contrast Agents), By Type (Non-targeted, Targeted), By End use (Hospitals, Clinics, Ambulatory Diagnostic Centers), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The Global Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Market, valued at USD 2.27 Billion in 2024, is projected to experience a CAGR of 4.65% to reach USD 2.98 Billion by 2030. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a diagnostic imaging modality that utilizes intravenously administered, gas-filled microbubbles to enhance the visualization of blood flow and tissue vascularization during standard medical sonography. This technique improves diagnostic precision by accentuating vascular patterns in organs and lesions, often providing clearer images than conventional ultrasound. The market's growth is fundamentally supported by the increasing demand for radiation-free and economically viable imaging alternatives, positioning CEUS as a safer option compared to other advanced modalities. Furthermore, the expanding range of clinical applications in fields such as cardiology, oncology, and hepatic imaging serves as a key driver for market expansion.

A notable challenge impeding market growth is the global scarcity of skilled sonographers required for proficient CEUS operation and interpretation. According to the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB), in 2023, their 19th World Congress, which featured discussions on contrast agents, recorded 1,095 attendees from 89 countries, indicating active professional engagement within the broader ultrasound community.

Key Market Drivers

The rising global burden of chronic diseases is a significant market driver for Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound. Conditions like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and hepatic disorders require accurate and frequent diagnostic imaging for early detection, staging, and monitoring treatment. CEUS provides a non-invasive, radiation-free method to precisely assess tissue perfusion and vascularity, which is crucial for characterizing lesions and evaluating organ function. This capability assists clinicians in making timely patient management decisions. According to the Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases and Risks 2023 Collaborators, in September 2025, JACC, the number of cardiovascular disease deaths worldwide increased to 19.2 million in 2023. This underscores the sustained demand for advanced diagnostic modalities addressing prevalent and escalating chronic illness.

Advancements in ultrasound technology and contrast agents also serve as a key market driver. Improvements include higher resolution imaging systems, enhanced signal processing, and more sophisticated transducers, all of which improve CEUS diagnostic capabilities. Concurrently, the development of new contrast agents with better stability, longer circulation times, and expanded indications directly contributes to market expansion. These advancements enable clearer visualization of microvascular structures and improved lesion characterization, extending CEUS utility across various clinical specialties. According to Lantheus, the manufacturer of Definity, in March 2024, Diagnostic Imaging, the FDA granted approval for the use of the ultrasound contrast agent Definity in pediatric patients. This broadens the diagnostic applicability of CEUS across different patient demographics. Further reflecting these developments, according to Lantheus Holdings, Inc. , in 2024, sales of its ultrasound contrast agent DEFINITY reached $86.2 million in the fourth quarter, marking a 17.9% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

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Key Market Challenges

The global scarcity of skilled sonographers poses a significant challenge to the growth of the Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound market. The sophisticated nature of CEUS procedures requires specialized expertise for accurate operation, image acquisition, and interpretation. Without an adequate pool of trained professionals, healthcare facilities face limitations in adopting and fully utilizing this advanced imaging modality, regardless of its diagnostic benefits.

This shortage directly impedes market expansion by constraining the capacity for CEUS procedures and extending patient wait times, thereby limiting the overall volume of examinations performed. According to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists' 2023 Radiologic Sciences Staffing Survey, national sonography vacancies in hospitals and clinics increased from 6.9% in 2021 to 16.7% in 2023, highlighting a growing deficit of qualified personnel. This shortfall in the workforce directly curtails the potential for wider clinical integration and revenue generation within the Global Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Market.

Key Market Trends

AI integration is significantly enhancing contrast-enhanced ultrasound by improving image analysis and diagnostic capabilities. Artificial intelligence algorithms automate segmentation, anomaly detection, and optimize workflow, thereby improving accuracy and efficiency and potentially reducing human error. This technological advance enables faster interpretation of complex images and supports early disease detection, leading to improved patient outcomes. According to Medical Device Network, in July 2023, UltraSight received FDA approval for its AI-based cardiac ultrasound guidance technology, enabling medical professionals without prior sonography experience to capture diagnostic-quality images at the point of care. This facilitates broader CEUS adoption by standardizing interpretation and increasing accessibility.

The increasing adoption of point-of-care and portable CEUS devices is a crucial market trend, moving diagnostic capabilities closer to patients. These compact systems enable immediate, real-time assessments in diverse clinical environments, including emergency departments and remote settings. This decentralization improves patient access, reduces wait times, and supports rapid clinical decision-making in critical scenarios. Research published in ResearchGate, in July 2025, showed that integrating a streamlined point-of-care ultrasound workflow into an electronic medical record system led to a 28.7% increase in POCUS scans and a 79% improvement in exam compliance over six months. This underscores the vital role of enhanced workflow and accessibility in improving healthcare delivery.

Segmental Insights

The Non-Targeted segment is a primary growth driver within the Global Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Market, experiencing rapid expansion due to its established clinical efficacy and widespread adoption. Its robust growth stems from broad regulatory clearances and well-defined clinical protocols that facilitate extensive use across cardiology, radiology, and oncology. These agents provide significant benefits, including a favorable safety profile allowing use in patients with renal impairment, cost-effectiveness, and the absence of ionizing radiation, making them a preferred diagnostic tool. Furthermore, ongoing support from key regulatory bodies, such as the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (EFSUMB), reinforces its market position and continued growth trajectory.

Regional Insights

North America leads the global contrast enhanced ultrasound market, primarily driven by its highly developed healthcare infrastructure and early integration of advanced imaging systems. The region benefits from a supportive regulatory environment, where the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a crucial role in expediting approvals for innovative contrast agents and ultrasound technologies, thus expanding their clinical applications. Furthermore, favorable reimbursement policies, particularly from organizations such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), encourage widespread adoption by making contrast enhanced ultrasound procedures more economically viable for healthcare providers and accessible to patients. This combination of factors fosters innovation and broadens market penetration.

Recent Developments

• In August 2025, Bracco Imaging's SonoVue ultrasound contrast agent received clearance from China's National Medical Products Administration. This approval permits SonoVue's use in hysterosalpingo contrast sonography for evaluating female infertility. The contrast-enhanced ultrasound procedure helps in identifying issues like fallopian tube blockages or uterine abnormalities, which are significant contributors to infertility. This regulatory milestone by Bracco Imaging expands the diagnostic options available for women in China, addressing a critical area of reproductive health.

• In May 2025, GE HealthCare received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a pediatric indication for its Optison ultrasound enhancing agent. This approval allows for improved clarity and diagnostic accuracy of echocardiograms in pediatric patients, offering cardiologists a more complete assessment of ventricular function when evaluating potential heart abnormalities. Optison, a second-generation ultrasound enhancing agent, demonstrated efficacy in optimizing endocardial border delineation and enhancing the visualization of left ventricular wall segments in a prospective, open-label, multicenter study.

• In May 2024, Inteleos, a global non-profit healthcare certification organization, announced a collaboration with the International Contrast Ultrasound Society (ICUS) to establish an ecosystem for contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). This partnership aims to develop comprehensive education, training, and assessment tools for various healthcare professionals, including sonographers, to enhance their skills in utilizing CEUS. The initiative focuses on defining and upholding CEUS standards, initially targeting the North American market with plans for global expansion, thereby promoting wider adoption and proficient application of this diagnostic imaging modality.

• In March 2024, Samsung Medison and Bracco Imaging entered into a Memorandum of Understanding at the European Congress of Radiology. This strategic collaboration focuses on advancing diagnostic ultrasound technology and contrast agents. The companies plan to combine their technical expertise and marketing capabilities for research and development, aiming to improve ultrasound contrast agent utilization, enhance image resolution, and streamline clinical workflows. Their joint efforts will also explore global marketing activities, including healthcare provider education and the potential for ultrasound-targeted contrast-enhanced drug delivery technologies.

Key Market Players

• Lantheus Holdings, Inc.
• General Electric Company
• Siemens Healthineers Company
• nanoPET Pharma GmbH
• ESAOTE SPA
• GE HealthCare Technologies, Inc.
• Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Leriva SA

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Market, By Product:

o   Equipment

o   Contrast Agents

• Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Market, By Type:

o   Non-targeted

o   Targeted

• Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Market, By End use:

o   Hospitals

o   Clinics

o   Ambulatory Diagnostic Centers

• Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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