43 ISCHEMIC PRECONDITIONING PROMOTES INTRINSIC VASCULARISATION AND ENHANCES GROWTH OF CARDIAC TISSUE

Abstract

Objective: Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is a powerful endogenous protective mechanism which involves release of paracrine factors that promote cell survival and angiogenesis. We aim to determine whether in vivo IPC might promote the growth and development of cardiac tissue in an in vivo tissue engineering setting. Methods: We employed a vascularized tissue engineering strategy where polyacrylic chambers were placed subcutaneously in the groin, enclosing the femoral vessels. IPC was induced by 3 cycles of 5 min femoral artery occlusion interspersed with 5 min reperfusion. Results: When chambers were implanted they filled with new vascularized tissue formed by outgrowth from the femoral vess..