Progress of Nanomedicine-Integrated Treatments for Pulmonary Embolism: A Review, Challenges, and Future Possibilities

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a form of venous thromboembolism that entails the migration of a thrombus to the pulmonary vasculature, causing a blockage, and may even lead to the death of the patient. Currently, low-risk PE is treated with oral anticoagulants, with higher risk cases requiring thrombolytic or surgical interventions. Due to the time sensitive nature of severe cases, the treatments that deal with PE can improve to reduce mortality the rate. Nanomedicine provides that scope of improvement in various avenues of treatment for PE. Although no known nanomedicines have been approved for human trials associated with PE, many companies have achieved success up till animal models and provide a promising scope of discovery within this field.

Methods and Results: This study uses research articles, case reports, news articles, and statistical data to provide accurate and comprehensive information. Open-access sources, including Google Scholar and PubMed, were used to access peer-reviewed studies on nanomedicine applications in PE. The study also explored data focusing on preclinical trials with animal models and innovative therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. A review of current PE treatments and nanomedicine options was conducted, highlighting potential advancements and suggesting future directions for research to improve PE treatment strategies.

Discussion: The nanomedicines options being actively explored focus on supplementing current PE treatments available, instead of completely replacing them. The field of nanomedicines for PE is making headway within the areas of targeted drug delivery, controlled release systems (CRS), nanocarriers, magnetic nanoparticles (NPs), biosensors as well as wearables.

Conclusion: Our compiled literature presents an exhaustive summary of the strides made within nanomedical spaces to treat PE and such related diseases. Despite the lack of clinical data with human populations, the preclinical studies with animal models have unique ways to combat the challenges present with PE treatments today.