Growth Factors in the Collateral Circulation of Chronic Total Coronary Occlusions

Abstract

In CTOs, the continuous release of bFGF into collaterals showed a close relation to the duration of occlusion and collateral function, which underscores its therapeutic potential. Other factors influencing growth factor release appeared to be shear stress for MCP-1, TGF-beta, and PlGF and the presence of diabetes.