Electrochemical Sensors for Rapid Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostics

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain a leading cause of death, particularly in developing countries, where their incidence continues to rise. Traditional CVD diagnostic methods are often time-consuming and inconvenient, necessitating more efficient alternatives. Rapid and accurate measurement of cardiac biomarkers released into body fluids is critical for early detection, timely intervention, and improved patient outcomes. Electrochemical methods offer a robust solution by enabling rapid, sensitive, selective, and multiplex detection of CVD biomarkers, paving the way for early diagnosis and treatment advancements. This review highlights the performance and potential of electrochemical sensors for detecting specific CVD biomarkers and related organic molecules. It explores electrochemical sensing mechanisms, their evolution, the integration of nanotechnology, and diverse sensing platforms. It also examines emerging technologies such as microfluidic, smartphone-integrated sensors, and microneedle- and tattoo-based sensors. Challenges and opportunities in integrating electrochemical sensors into point-of-care (POC) and wearable devices are discussed. Finally, the review compares commercial CVD sensors with existing methods and outlines future directions to advance the field.