Therapeutic angiogenesis with vascular endothelial growth factor in peripheral and coronary artery disease: a review

Therapeutic angiogenesis constitutes an alternative treatment for patients with extensive tissue ischaemia in whom primary vascular reconstruction procedures are not feasible or have previously failed. At present vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been the most widely used angiogenic factor in experimental and human clinical trials. Early clinical data provide evidence that gene transfer of the VEGF gene can achieve beneficial angiogenesis, with minimal side-effects. Ongoing phase III clinical studies will reveal definitive efficacy.