However, studies in animal ischemia models have revealed that collateral circulation also occurs in oxygen‐rich sites distant from the hypoperfusion territories,8 and an inverse association between the intensity of ischemia and collateral developing speed exists.9 Considering the absence of upregulation of hypoxia‐sensitive hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1α) in collateral regions harvested from rabbits with ischemic hind limb,10 the triggering factor of arteriogenesis is not ischemia that stimulates angiogenesis and development of novel vessels from pre‐existent plexus. Here, HIF1A is linked to ischemia.