The present invention has multiple aspects. In one aspect, the present
invention is directed to a unit dose pharmaceutical composition
comprising from about 5 ng/dose to less than 135,000 ng of an angiogenic
agent, typically from 5 ng to 67,500 ng. Preferably, the angiogenic agent
is FGF, more preferably it is basic FGF (FGF-2). In its second aspect,
the present invention is directed to a method for inducing angiogenesis,
or increasing myocardial perfusion or vascular density in a patient's
heart, comprising administering directly into the myocardium in an area
in need, as a single injection or a series of injections, a unit dose of
an angiogenic agent. It is also within the scope of the present invention
that a plurality of unit dose compositions be administered directly into
the myocardium at a plurality of sites in need of angiogenesis. In
another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for
treating a patient for coronary artery disease, comprising administering
directly into the myocardium in an area of need of angiogenesis in said
patient, a unit dose (i.e., from about 5 ng to less than 135,000 ng) of
an angiogenic agent. In yet another aspect, the present invention is
directed to a method for treating a patient for a myocardial infarction,
comprising administering directly into the myocardium in an area in need
of angiogenesis in said patient, a unit dose (i.e., from about 5 ng to
less than 135,000 ng) of an angiogenic agent.