Basic principles of angiogenesis for the interventional cardiologist.

Abstract

Despite tremendous advances in the management of coronary artery disease, there is a growing population of patients who remain symptomatic with residual myocardial ischemia. Therapeutic angiogenesis, designed to promote the development of endogenous conduits forming collateral blood vessels that serve to bypass coronary artery stenotic lesions, may constitute an alternative treatment strategy for patients with extensive tissue ischemia in whom contemporary therapies-antianginal medications, angioplasty, bypass surgery-have failed or are not feasible. Intensive investigation is now focused on methods that would have the potential to stimulate the development of collaterals in humans. In this review we summarize the physiology of angiogenesis and its role in development and adult life, its regulation, the effects of ischemia and hypoxia, the principles of gene therapy for angiogenesis, and an update on the current available trials data of angiogenic cytokines administration.