Circular RNAs as Novel Biomarkers and Application in Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide in the human population. Currently, both noninvasive and invasive conventional diagnostic methods are used in cardiovascular diseases. Noninvasive techniques such as electrocardiogram are widely accepted; yet, it is hindered by poor sensitivity and specificity. On the other hand, invasive examinations such as coronary arteriography and intravascular ultrasound are not resolute enough during the early stages of cardiovascular pathological changes. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify noninvasive biomarkers that are highly sensitive, specific, and effective for the early-stage diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. Noncoding RNAs have recently emerged as a novel layer of gene regulation, and their expression is widely impaired in pathological conditions, including cardiovascular diseases. In this context, circRNAs are highly stable molecules that are easy detectable in liquid biopsies, thus providing as good candidate for clinical diagnosis. Within this section, we provide a state-of-the art review of the current identification of circRNAs as biomarkers in distinct cardiovascular pathological conditions.