Background Aortic aneurysms (AA) are pathological dilations of the aorta, associated with
an overall mortality rate up to 90% in case of rupture. In addition to dilation, the aortic layers …

Thoracic aortic aneurysm is a potentially life-threatening condition in that it places patients at
risk for aortic dissection or rupture. However, our modern understanding of the pathogenesis …

Objective—Recent studies suggested the occurrence of phenotypic switching of vascular
smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during the development of aortic aneurysm (AA). However …

1. Acute aortic dissection is a disorder afflicting men more than women in their fifth and sixth
decades. The most common risk condition is hypertension. 2. Patients with aortic dissection …

ticular hypermobility, skin hyperextensibility, and tissue fragility. Eleven types of EDS have
been characterized; the true prevalence of EDS is unknown. An aggregate incidence of 1 …

Mutations in smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific isoforms of α-actin and β-myosin heavy
chain, two major components of the SMC contractile unit, cause familial thoracic aortic …

Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is a highly lethal vascular disease. In many patients with
TAD, the aorta progressively dilates and ultimately ruptures. Dissection formation …

The major disease processes affecting the aorta are aortic aneurysms and dissections.
Aneurysms are usually described in terms of their anatomic location, with thoracic aortic …

Background—Epidemiological and histological evidence implicates proteinases of the
matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family in atherosclerosis and aneurysm formation. We …

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is the life-threatening complication of Marfan syndrome
(MFS), a connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene. TAA is …