Could advanced drug delivery systems be the future in cardiovascular revascularization medicine?

Vascular. 2017 Aug;25(4):447-448. doi: 10.1177/1708538116682912. Epub 2016 Dec 6.

Abstract

Acute myocardial infarction, stroke and pulmonary embolism required a prompt revascularization to restore the normal blood flow as soon as possible. Fibrinolytic treatment has gradually become both dated and underused in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, after the wide diffusion of cathlab and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Conversely, the use of systemic thrombolysis remained a benchmark in the treatment of both ischemic stroke and massive pulmonary embolism. In daily clinical practice, the use of thrombolytic agents is often limited by absolute and/or relative contraindications and possible adverse events after the drug administration, as intracranial and/or extracranial bleeding events. To minimize these problems, during the last years, the introduction of nanotechnology in the field of cardiovascular revascularization medicine has created several fascinating results. In the present article, we describe these recent findings and their possible implications in future clinical practice.

Keywords: Revascularisation; nanoparticles; thrombolytic therapy.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Cerebral Revascularization / adverse effects
  • Cerebral Revascularization / methods*
  • Drug Carriers*
  • Drug Compounding
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / adverse effects
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Myocardial Revascularization / adverse effects
  • Myocardial Revascularization / methods*
  • Nanomedicine / methods
  • Nanoparticles
  • Thrombolytic Therapy / adverse effects
  • Thrombolytic Therapy / methods*

Substances

  • Drug Carriers
  • Fibrinolytic Agents