ABSTRACT
Ischemia is known to promote angiogenesis, and the molecular mechanisms and growth factors involved have been thoroughly investigated. Angiogenesis and myogenesis occur concomitantly in regenerating muscles because of ischemia-induced cell death and inflammation. Therapeutic angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, which involve the administration of angiogenic growth factors, cytokines, or stem cells to stimulate collateral formation and improve myocardial perfusion, are being tested as alternative strategies for patients with medically intractable angina who are not candidates for mechanical revascularization therapies.
