Extracellular Vesicles as Biomarkers for Vascular Disease

Vascular diseases (VD) remain a leading global cause of morbidity and mortality, often developing silently before manifesting as severe complications like stroke or ischemia. Traditional diagnostic imaging provides essential anatomical data but frequently fails to capture the dynamic molecular processes underlying vascular pathology. This narrative review summarizes current evidence regarding Extracellular Vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, as emerging biomarkers and mediators in vascular conditions. The review evaluates the biological mechanisms of EVs across several disorders, including arterial aneurysms, peripheral artery disease, carotid stenosis, and venous thromboembolism. Findings indicate that EVs concentration and molecular cargo, particularly microRNAs and proteins, reflect the physiological state of parent cells, offering a "liquid biopsy" for vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and plaque vulnerability. Furthermore, the review explores the therapeutic potential of stem cell-derived EVs in promoting angiogenesis and tissue repair in chronic vascular ulcers. Despite these advances, the review concludes that the clinical implementation of EV-based diagnostics faces significant hurdles, primarily due to the lack of standardized isolation and characterization methods. Addressing these methodological challenges is crucial for translating EV research into routine clinical practice.