A bulk number of drug delivery systems based on particles of nanometer size have recently been evolved, with variegated features and multiple functionalities [12] - [15] showing variegations in 1) sizes 2) shapes and 3) surface functionalization. Identification and characterization of initial disease stages before the appearance of gross disease manifestations, are the abilities of multifaceted nanoscale contrast agents. Nanoparticles that have the capacity to generate contrast, can be useful in cardiovascular imaging. Paramagnetic, fluorescent and other particles are contrast generating nanoparticles those can be used in the detection as well as characterization of initial ailment stages before the disease become more conspicuous and fatal. Internal structures images are now obtainable in which process there is a prerequisite of certain radiofrequency waves as well as magnetic fields in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) mediated cardiovascular imaging. The sole purpose of using contrast agents is to magnify the subtle changes in the energy level of tissues in MRI. Gadolinium-diethylenetriaminopentaa- cetic acid is an example of a paramagnetic contrast agent which provides a bright contrast in MR images [16] [17] . A recent example of T1 enhancing contrast agent is manganese nanoparticles [18] . An eminent example of nanoparticles that can give off light is quantum dots. Quantum dots are special types of nanoparticle having fluorescence within itself. There is a positive correlation between an increase in particle size and an increase in emission wavelength [19] . For imaging purpose, micro particle-based contrast molecules are in use and example of this includes porous silicon particles which have encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticle. Improvement in contrast, has come from this iron oxide nanoparticle [20] . Macrophages engulf these multistage particles through phagocytosis, hence providing the chance of imaging of inflamed portions where macrophages aggregate [21] . An example of this macrophage aggregation is atherosclerotic plaque. Multimodal imaging is not an illusion, rather an assertion in the age of nanoscience, where nanoparticles have more than one contrast agents [22] - [24] . An illustrious example of these types of molecule is 18F-CLIO (18F-cross-linked iron oxide). Markers of angiogenesis, macrophages [25] , collagen III [26] , as well as fibrin [27] all together are important in atherosclerotic plaque image targeting. Plaque rupture provides many signals and one of the earliest signals is fibrin deposition. Through ultrasound [28] and magnetic resonance imaging [29] arterial thrombi can be imaged by targeting fibrin and other tissue factor. Specific interaction between nanoparticles conjugated to ligands and αvβ3-integrin can be exploited in angiogenesis targeting [30] . In MRI and computed tomography (CT) various contrast agents, for instance iodine can be carried within nanoliposomes and the benefit is that the contrast agents have a significant reduction in body clearance, ameliorating potentialities of blood as well as cardiac imaging in study models [31] [32] .

Assessment of CVD in quick time and in a reliable way is the prerequisite of point-of-care treatment, where the clinicians can have significant relief in discharging personnel with benign etiology while giving proper treatment to CVD inflicted personnel. Hence the scheme termed programmable bio-nanochip (P-BNC), a novel medical device with the potentiality of providing high functioning as well as trimmed cost, comes under light. The capacity to immediately ensure sensitive, authentic simultaneous assessment of multiple prime biomarkers of cardiology at the point-of-care pledges to change the scenario of clinical nosology. To attain this target, researchers have worked to ameliorate the present state of point-of-care IVD through the improvement, substantiation, as well as the effectuation of P-BNCs [33] - [40] . Programmable bio-nanochips gets its name from its ability to work when reprogrammed while maintaining standard platform in assessing the bio-markers affiliated with specific ailments. High performance at reduced cost is possible if the similarity between microelectronics industry and the ability to mass-produce the sensor elements, can be maintained, where the “chip” term emphasizes. It contains incorporated nano-nets and quantum dots for the purpose of efficacious and instant biomarker capture and augmented signal development respectively. P-BNCs provide output within minutes while methods like ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassay) provide output within hours. P-BNCs have detection capacity in more magnitude lower than the traditional. Researchers have found that saliva has got many biomarkers of acute myocardial infarction diagnosis [41] and best 10 biomarkers with the most significant information are tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TN F-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), RANTES, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), myeloperoxidase (MPO), myoglobin (MYO), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), adiponectin, and soluble CD40 Ligand (sCD40L) [42] [43] .

Individual biomarkers of CVD that have drawn the attention of researchers include the levels of, fibrinogen [44] , D-dimer [45] , B-type natriuretic peptide [46] , C-reactive protein [47] , as well as homocysteine [48] for the identification of high-risk population. To specifically select low molecular weight proteins, nanoporous materials can be useful because they can monitor as well as find new circulating biomarkers in body fluids [49] [50] . pH variations measurement, detection of small quantity of molecules, whether chemical or biological, all are possible with the advent of nanowires [51] . Myoglobin, CK-MB (creatine kinase MB isoenzyme), and cardiac troponins have got FDA approval, so automatically they are in the focus of commercial cardiac biomarker point- of-care devices [52] [53] . Troponin antibodies and nickel nanohairs have been combined with modified viral nanoparticles to identify troponin in serum where the identification limit of troponin is six to seven orders of magnitude lower than traditional immunological assays [54] .

In situ quick identification of ions such as, H⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ have been possible through the development of nanosensors. H⁺ and K⁺ ion activity can serve as an important marker in case of acute myocardial infarction onset [55] . Analysis at in vivo is possible because nanosensors have been implanted in epicardial and the arterial region [56] . Field effect transistors (FET) technology has already been exploited for the development of a silicon needle with multi-nanosensor for the identification of myocardial infarction [57] . Real-time detection of Ca²⁺ ions is also possible, through functionalized nanowires [51] . Shin KH, et al. [58] described the in-vitro development of bio-MEMS pressure sensors which can be used for the purpose of in-situ assessment of blood pressure. Kim J-H, et al. [59] described the development of near-infrared fluorescence sensors for NO with single- walled carbon nanotube technology.

Delivery of therapeutics to targeted tissues is possible through the design and construction of nanoscale particles while reduced toxicity as well as higher efficiency is obtainable [60] [61] . Liposomes have huge skillfulness with regard to physicochemical characteristics, permitting acclimatization of this tiny particle to dovetail to the exact application in biology [62] . Liposomes circulatory half life has been extended through the emergence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) which assist in the avoidal of phagocytic cells of the body. Coupling of liposomes with peptides or proteins for increased targeting to specific tissues is also possible [63] [64] . Although initiatives have been carried out to exploit the benefits of liposomal approach but currently, there are no approved liposomal formulations for the treatment of CVD in human. In an attempt to treat chronic myocardial ischemia, during angioplasty and stenting, Hedman et al. [65] delivered vascular endothelial growth factor encoding plasmid through liposomes, with the aim to prevent in-stent restenosis and postangioplasty but the treatment doomed to change the incidence of restenosis, while it was demonstrated that gene transfer using liposomes was a viable and well tolerated approach. In a different clinical trial paclitaxel nanoparticles fixed to albumin was used to prevent in-stent restenosis. Reports claimed that without major complication the innovative approaches were well tolerated at 10 or 30 mg/m² [66] [67] . Zhang et al. [68] described acquirement of the surface modified liposome with peptide which has an arginine-rich sequence (CRPPR) to coronary endothelial in myocardial infarction and ischemia models. In comparison to nontargeted liposomes, the CRPPR-conjugated nanostructure attains a 47-fold increase in accruement in the injured tissue vasculature. It is worth mentioning that healthy tissue vasculature has accruement to a lesser extent. Modified liposomes can be used to minimize accidental or unwanted damage, to tissues that are healthy and adjacent, after myocardial infarction by reducing inflammatory responses from macrophages. Macrophages exist at the nearby area of infarction and thus can serve as the basis for cell-based targets for therapy. Modified liposomes have been developed by Harel-Adar et al. [69] that have surface phosphatidylserine (PS). Apoptotic cells surface phosphatidylserine act as a trigger to initiate the inflammatory circuit of macrophages. Phosphatidylserine containing surface attenuated liposomes upon engulfment by macrophages brings in the release of more anti-inflammatory cytokines, upregulation of CD206 as well as the accompaniment of TNF-alpha and CD86 downregulation. Fabricated fluorescent PEGylated liposome has the ability to distribute therapeutics to the infarcted heart [70] . Liposomes loaded with oligodextran surfactants as well as RGD can serve the purpose of targeted delivery and reduced RES uptake, respectively [71] . The surfactants of oligosaccharide class imitate cell glycocalyx of restricted opsonization, resulting in reduced RES uptake [72] . Research activity of Lestini et al. validated the surreptitious nature through which liposomes can reduce opsonization and RES clearance. Activated platelets have P-selectin on their surface which is the target of glycoliposomes with negative charge [73] . This delivery system exploited the imitation properties of activated leukocytes of containing P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 in order to ease the specific attachment between P-selec- tin receptor on activated platelets and liposomes of the target. TMR-484 is a special liposomal formulation of prednisolone, developed by Joner et al. [74] . The injury site high with chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, which can bind with great affinity with prednisolone. After 24 hours of administration, reports claimed, the lesion had liposome concentration that had increased by 100-fold in comparison to nonstented arteries, when tested in a laboratory animal model of atheroma. Solubilization of aggregated cholesterol in atherosclerosis is one of the approaches to the treatment of atherosclerosis. Liposomes loaded with phosphatidylcholine (PC) were developed by Cho et al. [75] with the purpose of lesion enrichment with high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The process of atherosclerosis includes the accumulation and subsequent oxidization of LDL in the artery wall and finally their picked up by foam cells. HDL can limit the process of inflammation that leads to atherosclerosis. Liposomal phosphatidylcholine could be a good therapy choice for the regression of atherosclerotic plaque because cholesterol-fed rabbits have undergone infusion of liposomal formulations and have resulted in a reduced cholesterol content as well as atherosclerotic plaque volume in the aortic walls. Activated macrophages have been shown to be attracted by liposomal components in atheroma components that are metabolically active. The liposome platform contained, nanogold, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and rhodamine, which has a surface potential of negative value. Walton et al. [76] demonstrated that in lesion of rabbits with Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemia have positive macrophage targeting, which has been assured through transmission electron microscopy, that have indicated the presence of liposome in high amount within the atheromas and the basis of identification was nanogold component.

Drugs that are cytotoxic in nature and can prevent smooth muscle cell growth are being in use to inhibit restenosis. Example of these drugs includes etoposides, paclitaxel, doxorubicin etc. Immunomodulators or inflammatory response inhibitory molecules like Cyclosporine A, steroids etc. and platelet derived growth factor receptor antagonists are also in use of preventing restenosis. Encapsulation of these therapeutic molecules in nanoparticles gives sanctuary from degradation of enzymes as well as permit sustained release profile [77] [78] . As an important advancement in drug delivery, there is a growing interest for theranostic agents [79] . Treatment results and therapeutic molecules, both of them can be precisely observed through the combination of therapeutic nanoparticle and diagnostic imaging modality. Theranostic nanoparticles imaging abilities can serve numerous purpose, including the verification of the delivery of specific molecules to its target, designing of dose patterns, as well as identification of personnel who either respond or not responding in a specifically designed therapy. For instance in hyperlipidemic animals a sustained antiangiogenesis therapy was carried out through the use of theranostic αvβ3-integrin targeted paramagnetic nanoparticles. Data from MRI studies has proven a decline (between 50% and 75%) in neovascular signal for 21 days. Histological evaluation was acceptable. These outcomes have pointed towards the broad window of this strategy for efficacious therapy that is antiangiogenic in nature [80] [81] .

Nanotechnology finds itself in the field of cardiovascular device development and research and it has already devoted itself to the improvement of stent technology. Narrowing of the blood vessel is termed as stenosis, which hamper normal blood flow. The mainstream challenges in using stents in an initiative of revascularization of the narrowed arteries are in-stent restenosis that results from intimal hyperplasia [82] as well as activated platelets mediated thrombosis in the later stage [83] . Establishment of the stent as the drug delivery platform is the following degree of device sophistication. Johnson & Johnson, Guidant, Boston Scientific as well as Medtronic are the industry giants that started the production of drug eluting stents (DES) which are illustrious for releasing drugs, for instance sirolimus as well as paclitaxel for the exploitation of their anti-proliferative benefits. Drug eluting stents have manifested lower occurrence of restenosis after six months of procedure in comparison to their usual counterparts (metal), but recent long term sophisticated researches have raised concerns about whether DES can deliver long term benefits or not [84] - [87] . Incorporation of stent within the vessel wall is possible just because of the fact that the eluted drugs are anti-proliferative in character. Cell cycle inhibition results from eluted drugs that suppress the proliferation. As a result the normal vessel cannot remodel themselves. Incomplete neonatal coverage causes exposure of stent structure that leads to the formation of a thrombus, which is very fatal and complicated even results in increased death that can be attributed to the thrombosis of later stage. This whole scenario usually occurs if there is a premature surcease of dual antiplatelet therapy [85] [86] . Currently, researchers are trying to deliver tacrolimus [88] by exploiting the ability of aluminum oxide stent surfaces. Paclitaxel elution by using matrixes of carbon-carbon nanomaterials has also been attempted [89] . Nanoporous TiO₂ films have been tested for various drug delivery [90] . Inflicted vessels problem can be solved by increasing the interaction between endothelial cells and stent surfaces, while stents provide the platform of revascularization process. This enhancement in interaction exploits surface nanotexturing. Vascular tissue has specific structures and imitation of this structure is possible, for improving the adhesion of cells, through nanoscale topography on hydroxyapatite substrates [91] and nickel titanium [83] . Afterwards there is an increased endothelialization of the stent and decreased thrombosis [92] .