Therapeutic angiogenesis is a promising new method for the treatment of ischemic heart disease, and in recent years, implantation of autologous bone marrow cells has opened up a new pathway to such object and is now attracting many researchers' attention. This article analyzes the cell biological base of autologous bone marrow cells and the possible mechanism of neovascularization induced by implantation of autologous bone marrow cells; in addition, the effect, safety and feasibility of the implantation of autologous bone marrow cells are reviewed and commented on the basis of recent researches in animal and clinical trials.