There is relevant evidence concerning the involvement of endothelial progenitor cells in neovascularization and wound healing. In this study we investigated the effects of sevoflurane, a volatile anesthetic with proven cardioprotective virtues, on the mobilization of bone marrow mononuclear cells with endothelial progenitor markers (CD 34+, flk-1 +), an event that may account for the protective effects of delayed anesthetic preconditioning. Male Wistar rats were treated with a mixture of air and sevoflurane (1 MAC) in cycles of 5 minutes, alternating with 5-minutes wash-out periods (the preconditioned group), or ventilated for 30 minutes with room air (control group). Following flow cytometry and immunofluorescence measurements, a considerable increase in circulating CD34+, flk-1 + and CD34+/flk-1 + cells was observed in the preconditioned group beginning at 12 hours after treatment, with a peak value at 24 hours after sevoflurane administration. These cells are a potential source of myocardial regeneration in the context of perioperative or periprocedural ischemia in patients with coronary artery disease.