Physiology of in-situ arterial revascularization in coronary artery bypass grafting: Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative factors and influences

The Role of Angiogenesis and Arteriogenesisin Myocardial Infarction and Coronary Revascularization

Surgical myocardial revascularization is associated with long-term survival benefit in patients with multivessel coronary artery disease. However, the exact biological mechanisms underlying the clinical benefits of myocardial revascularization have not been elucidated yet. Angiogenesis and arteriogenesis biologically leading to vascular collateralization are considered one of the endogenous mechanisms to preserve myocardial viability during ischemia, and the presence of coronary collateralization has been regarded as one of the predictors of long-term survival in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Some experimental studies and indirect clinical evidence on chronic CAD confirmed an angiogenetic response induced by myocardial revascularization and suggested that revascularization procedures could constitute an angiogenetic trigger per se. In this review, the clinical and basic science evidence regarding arteriogenesis and angiogenesis in both CAD and coronary revascularization is analyzed with the aim to better elucidate their significance in the clinical arena and potential therapeutic use.

Cardioprotective Effects of Exosomes and Their Potential Therapeutic Use

Exosomes are membrane-contained vesicles released by various types of cells both in animals and human. They contain microRNAs and proteins and can travel to target cells, affecting their functions. There are specific factors on the surface of every exosomes, making sure that they will be taken up by certain type of cells. With these features, exosomes have been recognized to be one of the fundamental "messengers" for cell-cell communication. Recently, increased interest has been raised in exosomes since they were discovered to play an unneglectable role in preserving cardiac function and cardiomyocyte repair during stress. The widely explored stem cell therapy for cardiomyopathy uncovered the contribution of exosomes. Here we summarized cardioprotective effects of exosomes and their potential therapeutic use.