Nanoparticles in cardiac disease treatment and management

Nano Artery

The Use of Nanoparticles as Plaque-Reducing Agents in Human Arteries

Summary of Current Approaches

Common methods for preventing the buildup of plaque in arteries, which restricts blood flow and has the potential to cause a variety of health problems based on the location of the buildup, include the use of standard stents and newer degradable stents that also employ a controlled release of pharmaceutical compounds that themselves restrict the formation and buildup of plaque in the area of the stent (Chan et al. 2010; Chorny et al. 2010; Kohn & Zeltinger 2005). The fabrication of these stents has improved to the degree that they can be made safely degradable without limitations to functionality, and this has allowed for the controlled release of pharmaceutical compounds that has greatly improved the efficacy of such treatments in the prevention of atherosclerosis and the correction of plaque build up without requiring more invasive and riskier procedures (Kohn & Zeltinger 2005). These stents actually represent two relatively recent engineering advancements in their safe degradability as well as the level of control with which the pharmaceutical-releasing action of these stents can be accomplished (Kohn & Zeltinger 2005).

Major advancements in assessment methods that lead to a determination of the need for intervention and the type of intervention recommended have also taken place in the past decade. Lesions and areas of plaque buildup that could have been repaired with stents often go unnoticed and can lead to sudden cardiac death, as the relatively invasive procedure of intravascular ultrasound was needed for detection (Schoenhagen & Nissen 2003). Newer methods of magnetic resonance imaging MRI) and computed tomography (CT) have been developed that are entirely non-invasive, however, allowing for more accurate and comprehensive assessment that in turn leads to less invasive corrections (Schoenhagen & Nissen 2003).

II. Critique of Current Approaches

Though these approaches are less invasive and more effective at both diagnosing and treating plaque buildup in arteries, and work as preventative methods that are thus more effective at reducing risks from plaque buildup than purely curative methods, there is still a fair degree of invasiveness involved in all stent procedures (Chan et al. 2010; Chorny et al. 2010; Kohn & Zeltinger 2005). In addition, though the ability for control in the rate of release of pharmaceuticals has been greatly increased with the newly-developed stents, there is still a limited window of operational capabilities in terms of timeline and in absolute amounts of drugs delivered through these stents (Kohn & Zeltinger 2005). Both of these aspects of these procedures limit their efficacy and make them undesirable in light of developing technologies (Chan et al. 2010; Chorny et al. 2010).

III. Use of Nanoparticles

Specifically, the use of manufactured nanoparticles to target areas of plaque buildup and delivery pharmaceutical compounds to these areas either as an enhancement to stent use or as a replacement therapy has received increasing attention from researchers (Chan et al. 2010; Chorny et al. 2010). This research is still quite new, however, and the question remains as to whether or not nanoparticles can truly serve as a replacement for stents by prohibiting plaque growth through a variety of means, including more targeted and longer-range delivery of pharmaceutical substances that destroy such build-ups and inhibit plaque deposits from forming. The efficacy of this approach has already been preliminarily demonstrated, but the long-term viability and safety of this intervention method as well as attendant risks have not yet been fully determined (Chan et al. 2010; Chorny et al. 2010).

IV. Motivation for Research

Despite the numerous advancements that have been made in treating plaque build-up in arteries and the general treatment and control of other cardiac issues, coronary artery disease is still the leading cause of death in North America and is a significant problem in other parts of the world, as well (Schoenhagen & Nissen 2003). This provides ample motivation for the study of techniques that might be more effective in treating and preventing coronary artery disease than those that are currently employed; the benefits of such research will directly impact the lives of many individuals by providing increasingly effective, less invasive, and more cost-effective treatments that prolong life and improve the quality of life. There are also more intrinsic motivations for conducting this research, including the ability to develop knowledge and work at the forefront of medical and engineering science, and though personal these motivations are not to be taken lightly.