Cardiovascular Nanotechnology

Globally, the number of deaths caused by various diseases varies according to geographical distribution, gender, and age. Among all types of noncommunicable diseases, cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, acute myocardial infarction, stroke cause the largest number of deaths, which brings huge health and economic burdens to patients, their families, and the entire society. In clinic, rapid diagnosis and effective therapeutic intervention of cardiovascular diseases are the key to save patients’ lives. However, the conventional diagnosis technology and treatment methods are facing many bottlenecks. There is an urgent need to develop novel theranostic strategies. As a multidisciplinary discipline, the development of nanomaterials and nanostructure-based nanotechnology may provide an alternative and novel direction for the early diagnosis and research of cardiovascular diseases. The application of technologies such as multimodal molecular imaging, ultra-sensitive biosensing, targeted drug delivery, minimally invasive intervention has effectively improved the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This chapter will cover the latest applications and prospects of nanotechnology in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.