Next-Generation Cardiac Chips: Combining Nanomedicine, Stem Cells, And Perfusion Models

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of global mortality, accounting for millions of deaths annually[1].Despite major advances in pharmacotherapy and clinical interventions, translating laboratory discoveries into effective cardiac therapeutics is hindered by the limitations of traditional preclinical models that fail to accurately mimic human cardiac physiology[2].The emergence of organ-on-chip (OOC) technologies—especially cardiac chips—has revolutionized preclinical research by integrating microengineering, nanotechnology, and stem cell biology to simulate functional human cardiac tissue in vitro[3].Next-generation cardiac chips combine nanomedicinetools, stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes, and perfused microfluidic networks to replicate the heart’s mechanical, electrical, and biochemical microenvironment [4] .These hybrid systems enable precise model of disease mechanisms, high-throughput drug screening, cardiotoxicity assessment, and regenerative research [5].By incorporating nanoscale biosensors, diffusible, vascular channels, and dynamic flow systems, cardiac chips provide a human-relevant, predictive platform for translational cardiology[6]. This review explores the convergence of nanomedicine, stem cell engineering, and perfusion-based organ-chip platforms to create physiologically relevant cardiac models. It also discusses technological innovations, validation parameters, and the translational potential of these systems in personalized medicine and drug discovery.