Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating A-V graft failure in a subject in need of such treatment, said method comprising administering to said subject an effective amount of an agent that inhibits the production, release or neo-intima generating effects of chymase, wherein said effective amount of said agent is an amount effective to treat said A-V graft failure.

Abstract: A method for treating or preventing cardiovascular pathologies by administering a compound of the formula (I): wherein Z is C?O or a covalent bond; Y is H or O(C1-C4)alkyl, R1 and R2 are individually (C1-C4)alkyl or together with N are a saturated heterocyclic group, R3 is ethyl or chloroethyl, R4 is H, R5 is I, O(C1-C4)alkyl or H and R6 is I, O(C1-C4)alkyl or H with the proviso that when R4, R5, and R6 are H, R3 is not ethyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, effective to elevate the level of TGF-beta to treat and/or prevent conditions such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke is provided. Useful compounds include idoxifene, toremifene or salts thereof. Further provided is a method for identifying an agent that elevates the level of TGF-beta. Another embodiment of the invention is an assay or kit to determine TGF-beta in vitro.