Abstract: Methods of reducing the degeneration of a tissue resulting from mobilization with or without chronic, continuous electrical stimulation by administering basic fibroblast growth factor or heparin to the tissue are provided.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for enhancing collateral blood flow to the heart of a patient having angina with otherwise normal cardiac function. Skeletal muscle from the patient is attachd to the left ventricle, and stimulated with both chronic and acute stimulation to provide chronic long-term collateral blood flow and increased acute collateral blood flow during periods of exercise or times when angina is at greater risk. The stimulation system includes a sensor for determining cardiac demand and/or for sensing natural heartbeats, and processing circuitry for acutely increasing stimulation of the skeletal muscle in response to the sensor or natural rate. The system is further provided with internal clock means for causing cessation of delivery of stimulus pulses during periods of low activity, and external programming means for programming changes in either chronic or acute stimulation.