Toxic effects of single-walled carbon nanotubes on the cardiovascular system: state of art

Engineered single-walled carbon nanotubes are a new class of synthetic compounds in the nanometric scale, with unusual chemical and physical characteristics, which make them a very promising material in different industrial and biomedical fields. Their use is predicted to increase exponentially in the next few years. Given their similarity to the ultrafine component of air pollution, there is concern for untoward effects on human health, especially in occupational and environmental settings. This review analyses the available findings on their possible toxicity on the cardiovascular system, a potential important target after human exposure. In particular, we have critically evaluated data on the possible pathophysiological pathways triggered by these particles.