Activation of myocardial angiogenesis and upregulation of fibroblast growth factor-2 in transmyocardial-revascularization-treated mice

Objective To evaluate the growth factor responses associated with myocardial angiogenesis, Design Mice were treated with transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) and evaluated for angiogenic and growth factor responses. Methods TMR was performed via thoractomy with a 27 g needle. At 2, 5, and 7 days post-treatment, hearts were removed from the TMR treated and control groups, then assayed for angiogenesis, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 expression and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) expression, Results TMR caused an angiogenic reaction in the myocardial blood vessels at 7 days post-TMR treatment, Elevated FGF-2 corresponded with increased TMR related angiogenesis. VEGF levels only increased in hearts that were prewounded then TMR treated. Conclusions The data show that TMR stimulates myocardial angiogenesis. The angiogenic reaction is mediated by FGF-2 which increased in most experimental treatment groups, The VEGF response was more specific, requiring prewounding then TMR treatment for a VEGF increase, Coron Artery Dis 11:537-544 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.