Arteriogenesis - is this terminology necessary?

The role of the collateral circulation has been controversially discussed over many decades. With the availability of purified growth factors such as the fibroblast growth factors several studies provided data, that the growth of collateral arteries, termed arteriogenesis, is not limited to its natural timecourse. When applied in experimental models FGF in particular led to a significant increase in collateral conductance upon arterial occlusion. Thus the proliferation of preexisting bypassing arterioles could be enhanced therapeutically. The purpose of this review is to discuss the physiological importance of different kinds of vascular growth (e.g. vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, arteriogenesis) to enhance blood flow to ischemic limbs or the heart. It is outlined that large conductance arteries rather than capillary networks are needed to compensate for perfusion deficits due to atherosclerotic stenosis or occlusion.