Region-Specific Medial Fiber Micro-Architecture in the Longitudinal-Radial and Circumferential-Radial Planes of Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Among Bicuspid and Tricuspid Aortic Valve Patients

Author(s):  
Alkiviadis Tsamis ◽  
Julie A. Phillippi ◽  
Ryan G. Koch ◽  
Jeffrey T. Krawiec ◽  
Antonio D’Amore ◽  
...  

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening cardiovascular emergency with a high potential for death. It usually begins with an intimal tear which permits blood to enter the wall, split the media and create a false lumen, which can reenter the true lumen or exit through the adventitia causing complete rupture. A possible mechanism for dissection of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) can be the occurrence of blood pressure-induced wall stresses in excess to the adhesive strength between the degenerated aortic wall layers.

Author(s):  
Salvatore Pasta ◽  
Julie A. Philippi ◽  
Thomas G. Gleason ◽  
David A. Vorp

Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) is among the most devastating forms of cardiovascular disease, causing a significant mortality despite current medical and surgical treatments [1]. Moreover these therapies themselves are associated with great risk of mortality or morbidity, complicated by the advanced age of the typical patient, and high surgical costs. The mechanics of spontaneous aortic dissection is not fully understood. It is generally believed that aortic dissection initiates as an intimal tear in which a separation of wall layers produces the formation of a ‘false’ lumen. The dissection may propagate axially and/or circumferentially due to blood flow and pressure. Dissection may lead to several possible complications. For example, the septum between the false lumen and true lumen may fracture, resulting in embolism and ischemic damage. Another possibility is that the thinned and weakened residual outer aortic wall may fail, resulting in rapid blood loss and tamponade.


2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Postnov ◽  
Andrey Suslov ◽  
Igor Sobenin ◽  
Ivan Chairkin ◽  
Vasily Sukhorukov ◽  
...  

: Aortic aneurism development is dependent on internal and external etiological factors that define the width of the therapeutic window available for treatment of patients with such diagnosis. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of the most prominent of these factors. In particular, we discuss the input of elevated blood pressure to the remodeling of the aortic wall, describe the mechanisms of inflammatory remodeling of the aorta, and evaluate the cross-interaction of blood pressure, inflammation and immunity during the pathology development. Better understanding of this interaction will allow broadening the therapeutic options available for patients with aortic aneurism or preventive strategies for patients with known risk factors. To date, modulation of the immune signaling appears to be a promising point of therapeutic intervention for treatment of such patients. In this article, we also discuss the search for new diagnostic markers predicting changes in the width of the therapeutic window for management of patients with aortic aneurysm.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Daniel Rinnström ◽  
Mikael Dellborg ◽  
Ulf Thilén ◽  
Peder Sörensson ◽  
Niels-Erik Nielsen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Ascending aortic dilation is a feared complication in adults with repaired coarctation of the aorta, as the condition is associated with life-threatening complications such as aortic dissection and rupture. However, the data are currently limited regarding factors associated with ascending aortic dilation in these patients. Methods and results: From the national register of congenital heart disease, 165 adult patients (≥ 18 years old) with repaired coarctation of the aorta, and echocardiographic data on aortic dimensions, were identified (61.2% male, mean age 35.8 ± 14.5 years). Aortic dilation (aortic diameters > 2 SD above reference mean) was found in 55 (33.3%) of the 165 included patients, and was associated with manifest aortic valve disease in univariable logistic regression analysis (OR 2.44, 95% CI [1.23, 4.83]). Conclusions: Aortic dilation is common post-repair of coarctation of the aorta, and is associated with manifest aortic valve disease and thus indirectly with the presence of a bicuspid aortic valve. However, no association was found between aortic dilation and age or blood pressure.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shouguo Yang ◽  
Guanggen Cui ◽  
Ramin Beygui ◽  
Fardad Esmailian ◽  
Abbas Ardehali ◽  
...  

Background The underlying mechanism of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and dissection(TAD) was undetermined, and one controversy lies in whether they represent the different dvelopement period of the same disorder or totally diferent diseases. This study is in aim to compare the expression and distribution of Transforming Growth Factors(TGF) β1 in the aortic wall of TAA versus TAD patients. Method Aortic specimens were obtained from patients underwent to aortic procedures for TAA (n=38) and TAD (n=20) at UCLA , and control aorta (CN) from organ donnor (n=20). Double immunofluorescent stainning of TGF-β1 and α-smooth muscle actin were performed with paraffin embeded slides for all aortic samples and semiquantified by fluorescent intensity analysis. Histopathologic examination were performed with HE, Verhoeff van-Gieson and Masson’s trichrome stain. Results TAA and TAD patients exhibited an up-regulation of TGF-β1 to 120.3% and 109.6% compared with CN separately (P<0.05), with TAA higher than TAD (P<0.05). TGF-β1 distributed unevenly across aortic wall with the highest levels expression in tunica media, followed by intima then adventitia. In intima, TGF-β1 was expressed at the same level for TAD as CN, but was increased to 115.2% for TAA compared to CN (P<0.05). In media, TGF-β1 increased by 127.2% in TAA and 116.1% in TAD compared to CN (P<0.01), with TAA being higher than TAD (P<0.05). In adventitia, TGF- β1 was up-regulated to 119.6% and 116.7% for TAA and TAD compared to CN (P<0.05). Nucleus density analysis showed cellular plasia in adventitia of TAA and TAD than CN (P<0.05 ), while TAD patients demonstrated a higher nucleus density than TAA in intima and adventitia (P<0.05). α-actin was increased in media of TAA and TAD to 164.5% and 120% than CN (P<0.01 and P<0.05). Attenuated and interrupted elastin and mild to severe cystic medial degeneration were characteristic histopathologic finding in 29 (76.3%) TAA and 17(85%) TAD patients. Conclusions TGF- β1 expression was up-regulated in aortic wall of TAA and TAD compared to CN. The significant higher levels of TGF- β1 in intima and media in TAA versus TAD patients implicated a probable positive effect of TGF- β1 to maintain aortic wall integrity, and/or greater comsamption of TGF- β1 in the aortic dissection.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmela R. Balistreri ◽  
Silvio Buffa ◽  
Alberto Allegra ◽  
Calogera Pisano ◽  
Giovanni Ruvolo ◽  
...  

Bicuspid valve disease is associated with the development of thoracic aortic aneurysm. The molecular mechanisms underlying this association still need to be clarified. Here, we evaluated the circulating levels of T and B lymphocyte subsets associated with the development of vascular diseases in patients with bicuspid aortic valve or tricuspid aortic valve with and without thoracic aortic aneurysm. We unveiled that the circulating levels of the MAIT, CD4+IL−17A+, and NKT T cell subsets were significantly reduced in bicuspid valve disease cases, when compared to tricuspid aortic valve cases in either the presence or the absence of thoracic aortic aneurysm. Among patients with tricuspid aortic valve, these cells were higher in those also affected by thoracic aortic aneurysm. Similar data were obtained by examining CD19+ B cells, naïve B cells (IgD+CD27−), memory unswitched B cells (IgD+CD27+), memory switched B cells (IgD−CD27+), and double-negative B cells (DN) (IgD−CD27−). These cells resulted to be lower in subjects with bicuspid valve disease with respect to patients with tricuspid aortic valve. In whole, our data indicate that patients with bicuspid valve disease show a quantitative reduction of T and B lymphocyte cell subsets. Future studies are encouraged to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this observation and its pathophysiological significance.


2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandy von Salisch ◽  
Josephina Haunschild ◽  
Martin Misfeld ◽  
Michael A Borger ◽  
Stefan Dhein ◽  
...  

Background: Bicuspid aortic valve is the most frequent congenital cardiac abnormality and associated with proximal aortic disease (i.e. aneurysm, dissection or rupture). Granular media calcinosis(GMC)--suggested to increase stiffness and play a pathogenetic role in dissecting aneurysm--has not yet been quantified in BAV. Methods: Specimen of the proximal aortic wall from 76 patients--32 with tricuspid (TAV) and 44 with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV)--were obtained during surgery to quantify media thickness and GMC by von Kossa staining (panel C), comparing the convexity (Cvx) and concavity (Ccv) in BAV vs. TAV. Results: Interlamellar GMC affected the most central layers of the media and those adjacent to the outer adventitia with a doubling within both--the Cvx and Ccv--of pts with BAV compared to patients with TAV (13.3±9.6 vs. 6.6±7.4 and 12.8±10.8 vs. 6.4±7.1; p<0.05, panel A) was seen, but neither a difference in calcification between the Ccx and the Ccv side within the BAV nor the TAV group. No association between age and calcification grade , neither in the Cvx nor the Ccv (r=0.132, p=0.218 and 0.103, p=0.341) was seen. There was a significant difference in the total media thickness between BAV and TAV at the Cvx (867±162μm vs . 993±158μm; p<0.05) and the Ccv (1005 ± 236 vs 1223 ± 217μm; p<0.05, panel B). Independent of aortic valve morphology, the Cvx was thinner than the Ccv side (TAV: 993 ± 158 vs.1223 ± 217μm; p<0.001; BAV: 869 ± 162 vs.1005 ± 236μm; p<0.05, panel B). Conclusion: BAVs had significantly thinner media and twice as much GMC than their tricuspid peers possibly associated with the loosening of the bond between the elastic lamellae causing a decrease in elasticity possibly explaining a higher risk for dissection and rupture.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie R. Ramiro ◽  
Carmegie C. Saliba ◽  
John Anthony D. Tindoc ◽  
Marinette R. Jambaro ◽  
Enrique M. Chua ◽  
...  

Aortic aneurysms are not commonly reported among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report a case of a 47-year-old Filipino female diagnosed with SLE 17 years ago maintained on prolonged oral steroids, azathioprine, and hydroxychloroquine. She also had lupus nephritis, secondary hypertension, and dyslipidemia. She initially presented with a week-long watery nonbloody diarrhea with associated diffuse crampy abdominal pain and generalized weakness. She was admitted for a week at a provincial hospital and was given an unrecalled antibiotic with resolution of symptoms. Upon discharge, however, she experienced two weeks of severe right lower quadrant pain radiating to the back and left lower quadrant, with no history of diarrhea, vomiting, dysuria, and fever. Complete blood count showed slight leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein. Abdominal imaging revealed a saccular infrarenal aneurysm with dissection. An atherosclerotic mechanism was primarily considered, but a vasculitic process was likewise considered due to elevated acute phase reactants. The initial plan was Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) but due to financial limitations, an exploratory laparotomy with infrarenal endoaneurysmorrhaphy was eventually performed. Intraoperative findings were a saccular infrarenal aneurysm with dissection up to the proximal right common iliac artery and an abscess compartment within the false lumen in the anterior aortic wall. Abscess culture yielded high growth of Salmonella group B. Micrographs of the aortic wall biopsy showed fibrin deposition necrosis and calcification with peripheral viable cellular infiltrates consisting of neutrophils and foamy macrophages. Inadvertently placing an endovascular graft in an infected aortic aneurysm would have led to graft infection and catastrophic morbidity. We highlight the significance of having a high index of suspicion for infectious causes of aortitis among immunocompromised patients presenting with aneurysm prior to pursuing an endovascular versus an open approach for repair.


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