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Editorial comment

Cardiothoracic Surgery/Cardiac Surgical Research, The Rayne Institute (King's College London), Guy's and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, St Thomas’ Campus, London SE1 7EH, UK

Received 7 January 2008; received in revised form 7 January 2008; accepted 8 January 2008.

^_* Corresponding author. (Email: david.chambers@kcl.ac.uk).

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Angiogenesis is a generalised term that can be used to summarise the extremely complex process of new vessel growth that can occur via three different mechanisms: vasculogenesis, angiogenesis or arteriogenesis [1,2]. Vasculogenesis refers to the formation of new vessels from endothelial precursors during embryogenesis; angiogenesis is a process by which thin-walled structures lined with endothelium (but lacking in smooth muscle) are formed (such as capillaries in wound healing), whereas arteriogenesis refers to the formation of new vessels complete with smooth muscle wall (such as occurs with collateral development). Experimental studies in angiogenesis with various growth factors (such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) have shown promising results in alleviating myocardial ischaemic injury in various animal models, and these have been summarised in a number of recent and comprehensive reviews [2–4]. Despite the promising results in these animal model studies, therapeutic angiogenesis remains an experimental treatment that targets ‘final option’ patients, in whom potential treatment modalities (such as pharmacological means of reducing myocardial demand and increasing coronary vasodilatation, or improving myocardial revascularisation by percutaneous coronary interventions or coronary bypass surgery) have been exhausted. The reviews summarise some of the large number of studies conducted in this area over the past few years and highlight the hype that has occurred with regard to the possibilities of angiogenic therapy. Most importantly, they detail . . . [Full Text of this Article]