[Increased vascular density with indirect myocardial revascularization in normal rat hearts].

Background: The aim of this study was to identify if the interaction of myocardial revascularization methods increases the functional vascular area.

Methods: A 4x3 factorial design was performed in 11 groups, five rats per group, ten samples per rat, evaluated at 45 days postoperative, with different surgical combinations. The magnitude of the interaction was evaluated by immunoexpression of vascular endothelium-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor and tyrosine receptor, to allow the activity of vascular endothelium-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor and thrombin (Flk-1), as well as vascular area measurement; Both measures were performed by computerized morphometry.