Convergence of Nanotechnology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Abstract

Advances in the emergence of biological probes, materials, and analytical tools limited to the nanoscale size range, collectively referred to as 'nanotechnology', are increasingly being applied to the understanding and treatment of the major pathophysiological problems in cardiovascular medicine. Analytical techniques based on high-resolution microscopy and molecular-level fluorescence excitation processes capable of detecting nanoscale interactions have been used to elucidate cardiovascular pathology. Nanotechnology has also significantly impacted diagnostic intervention in cardiology, with the use of nanoparticles as contrast agents, for targeted biomedical imaging of vulnerable plaques, for detection of specific pathologic targets signaling the onset of atherosclerosis, and for tracking inflammatory events. Real-time nanoscale biosensors can be used to measure cardiovascular biomarkers, and nanopore sequencing has the potential to speed up the analysis of gene expression in cardiovascular disease. Potential therapeutic applications include the use of nanomaterials in cardiovascular devices, for delivery of drugs and bioactive molecules, or in novel technologies for reducing cholesterol accumulation and for dissolving clots.

Multiscale technologies for treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy

“…In cardiovascular medicine, bioengineered scaffolding systems are increasingly being investigated as alternative platforms for targeted delivery of cells/therapeutics or as cardiac ‘patches’ for myocardial tissue repair 103,104 . The use of cardiac tissue scaffolds, however, has been hindered by poor cardiac cell viability and function (for example, electrical conductivity and contractility), lack of appropriate cells and/or molecules in the patch to guide tissue regeneration, insufficient perfusion/permeability within the 3D construct, and inadequate ultrastructural and mechanical properties 105 .…”

Nanotechnology: Emerging Tool for Diagnostics and Therapeutics

“…This deflection can be quantified by the beam bounce method where a laser beam on top of the cantilever into a range of photodiodes and provide a three-dimensional profile of the scanned surface. Developments in atomic force microscopy have allowed for tumor detection, detection of erythrocytes influenced by diabetes, and to study the structure of a C-reactive protein that is a risk for coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease [48]. The applications of nanotechnology in molecular imaging are creating the way for personalized medicine and will undoubtedly bring about a huge revolution and a huge transformation in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a disease in the future and will provide ways that will improve a patient's health and will benefit the patients even more.…”

Thrombotic Inception at Nano-Scale

“…The recently reported chaperon properties of nanoparticles can also have important biomedical potential (Singha et al, 2010). Interestingly there are only few report on haematological (Elias & Tsourkas 2009;Baker, 2009;Walkey et al, 2009;Wickline et al, 2005) and cardiological applications Iverson et al, 2008) of nanotechnology.…”