Chapter 3: Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Ischemic Heart Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the foremost causes of morbidity, mortality, and disability worldwide. With one-third of CVD casualties being driven by ischemic heart diseases (IHDs), this high number is attributed to the irreversible injury that ischemia causes to the myocardium, eventually leading to heart failure if not properly treated. So far, there is no effective cure to alleviate the damage ischemia causes to the heart or to restore the injured heart’s function, suggesting the unmet need to develop more effective and permanent approaches to better diagnose and treat patients with IHD, as well as the need for better preventative approaches. One approach is the use of nanomedicine in developing more accurate diagnostic tools and more efficient preventative and treatment strategies. Nanomedicine is a rising field with many attractive promises that could provide alternative administration routes to aid with clinical translation and patient compliance while delivering the therapeutic agent to the injured myocardium only. Herein, we will discuss the current status of nanomedicines in IHD and the possible IHD components that could be used in developing a targeted delivery option, highlighting how to better utilize currently available nanoformulations. In addition, we will be discussing the challenges that are facing the further development of this approach.