The discovery of polypeptide mitogens capable of stimulating angiogenesis has inspired research addressing the potential of these agents in the treatment of ischaemic syndromes. Ischaemia or necrosis with associated inflammation has been found to increase the production of growth factors and receptor response. Administration of various exogenous angiogenic agents by several routes has resulted in enhanced growth of collateral vessels in animal models of myocardial, peripheral arterial, and cerebral insufficiency. Therapeutic angiogenesis may have an immense clinical potential.