The Most Important Angiogenic Growth Factors Influencing the Development and Function of Blood Vessels - in the Context of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)

Currently available approaches for treating patients with ischemic heart disease include medical therapy or coronary revascularization by surgical procedures, like coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Bypass grafting often provides dramatic relief from the symptoms of myocardial ischemia. However, a significant number of patients are not candidates for these kind of treatment or achieve incomplete revascularization. Hence, an alternative treatment strategy such as therapeutic angiogenesis has emerged as a new method for patients with inoperable coronary artery disease. Recently it has been demonstrated that angiogenic growth factors, like vascular endothelial growth factor or fibroblast growth factor, can improve myocardial perfusion and function.