MXene@IDE-Assisted Sensors to Manage Cardiac Abnormalities Induced by Heavy Metal Exposure: Toward Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) associated with exposure to heavy metal ions (HMIs), including Pb 2+, Cd 2+, As 3+, and Hg 2+, are emerging as a significant global health concern due to their ability to induce oxidative stress, metabolic dysregulation, and endothelial dysfunction. Early detection of HMIs and CVD biomarkers at ultralow concentrations is therefore essential for timely diagnosis and effective clinical intervention in point-of-care (PoC) settings. In this context, MXene-modified interdigitated electrode (MXene@IDE) chemosensors have attracted considerable attention owing to the high electrical conductivity, large surface area, and tunable surface terminations of MXenes, combined with the high sensitivity and facile electronic integration of IDE platforms. This review critically summarizes recent advances in MXene@IDE-based sensing systems capable of detecting heavy metals at ppt levels and CVD biomarkers at ppm levels for PoC and point-of-use (PoU) applications. The discussion highlights key sensing mechanisms, structure–performance relationships, and the role of MXene surface chemistry in improving sensitivity and selectivity. In addition, current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, including chelation therapy, antioxidant interventions, and nanomedicine approaches, are discussed to provide a broader perspective on the management of metal-induced cardiotoxicity. The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) is further explored to enable personalized, real-time health monitoring using MXene@IDE platforms. Despite these advances, challenges such as MXene oxidation, biofouling in complex biological media, and large-scale fabrication of stable IDE architectures remain key barriers to practical deployment. Finally, the review outlines emerging stabilization strategies and future research directions to facilitate the translation of MXene@IDE-based chemosensors from laboratory research to clinical applications, contributing to precision healthcare for metal-induced cardiovascular disorders. Also, this review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in MXene@IDE-based sensing platforms and related theranostic strategies reported from 2016 to 2025.