Therapeutic angiogenesis: the next frontier for interventional radiology

Liddell, Robert P; Weiss, Clifford R; Hofmann, Lawrence V

doi:10.1053/j.tvir.2004.01.002

« PreviousTechniques in Vascular & Interventional Radiology
Volume 7, Issue 1 , Pages 40-48, March 2004

Therapeutic angiogenesis: the next frontier for interventional radiology

Robert P Liddell, MD
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
Clifford R Weiss, MD
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
Lawrence V Hofmann, MD
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Address reprint requests to Lawrence V. Hofmann, MD, Department of Radiology, Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Blalock 545, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287 USA

Abstract

The field of interventional radiology has traditionally relied on mechanical methods to treat vascular disease, such as angioplasty balloons and stents. Although there have been a number of important technical advances in endovascular devices, there are still a number of patients who are not candidates for percutaneous or surgical revascularization. As we approach the technical limits of these newer devices, therapeutic angiogenesis may play an ever-increasing role in the future. Interventional radiologists have unique delivery skills that would complement the on-going research in this area. It is the goal of this article to serve as a primer for interventional radiologists on the agents and techniques used in this exciting field.