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International Angiology : a Journal of... Oct 2019The identification of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) biomarker offers a perspective to determine disease progress and rupture risk. The aim of our study was to evaluate...
BACKGROUND
The identification of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) biomarker offers a perspective to determine disease progress and rupture risk. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between selected circulating biomarkers and diameter of abdominal aorta.
METHODS
One hundred and two patients (88 men and 14 women) with mean age 70.0±8.7 years were included in a single center cross-sectional study conducted between February 2016 and October, 2018. AAA was defined as subrenal aortic dilatation ≥3 cm. Serum biomarker concentrations (insulin-like growth factor-1, peroxiredoxin-1, collagen IV, collagen XVIII) were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Adjustments including variables with different baseline distribution at univariate level with P<0.1 (age, body mass index, coronary artery disease, fibrinogen) were performed in multivariate models.
RESULTS
Higher collagen XVIII was found in AAA patients in comparison with the control group of patients (39.5 vs. 25.0 ng/mL; P=0.002). Diameter of abdominal aorta was positively associated with collagen XVIII levels in univariate (B=0.16; P=0.004), and in multivariate analysis (B=0.14; P=0.027), i.e. increase in collagen XVIII by 1 ng/mL corresponded to an increase in abdominal aortic diameter by 0.14 mm. Patients with serum collagen XVIII levels in the third tertile (˃47 ng/mL) had 4.23 times higher risk of AAA compared to patients with collagen XVIII levels in the first and second tertiles (OR 4.23; 95% CI 1.42-11.6; P=0.020). No association was found between other examined biomarkers and abdominal aortic diameter.
CONCLUSIONS
Diameter of abdominal aorta was positively associated with serum collagen XVIII level.
Topics: Aged; Aorta, Abdominal; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Biomarkers; Collagen Type XVIII; Cross-Sectional Studies; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Risk Factors; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 31566319
DOI: 10.23736/S0392-9590.19.04222-6 -
The Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery Aug 2023
Topics: Humans; Aorta, Abdominal; Arterial Occlusive Diseases; Iliac Artery; Aortic Diseases
PubMed: 37000161
DOI: 10.23736/S0021-9509.23.12649-8 -
Journal of Internal Medicine Jan 2004We report the history of a patient and his daughter, both affected with hypoplasia of the abdominal aorta and its branches, leading to early and dramatic complications....
We report the history of a patient and his daughter, both affected with hypoplasia of the abdominal aorta and its branches, leading to early and dramatic complications. In the index patient, renal ischaemia as a result of severe hypoplasia of the abdominal aorta and the origin of renal arteries led to progressive renal failure and end-stage renal disease at the age of 32 years. Other vascular abnormalities included hypoplasia of the celiac trunk (CT) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA). After a successful kidney transplantation at the age of 40 years, he eventually deceased following an episode of possibly ischaemic acute pancreatitis at 47 years. The patient's daughter suffered from an haemorrhagic stroke at the age of 7 years, which led to the discovery of severe hypertension caused by bilateral narrowing of renal arteries, as well as hypoplasia of CT, SMA, subclavian and pulmonary arteries. Biopsy of the narrowed renal artery of the daughter showed a particular form of fibrodysplasia characterized by an unusual fibrosis of the inner part of the media, just beneath the internal elastic lamina. To our knowledge, this is the first report of familial hypoplasia of the abdominal aorta. It might be the cardinal manifestation of a familial form of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). Interestingly, the histological lesions described in the daughter's renal artery differ from the classical form of medial FMD.
Topics: Abnormalities, Multiple; Adult; Aorta, Abdominal; Aortic Coarctation; Child; Family; Fatal Outcome; Female; Fibromuscular Dysplasia; Humans; Male; Pedigree; Radiography; Renal Artery
PubMed: 14687249
DOI: 10.1046/j.0954-6820.2003.01240.x -
Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia Jan 2016Configuration of the abdominal aorta is related to healthy aging and a variety of disorders.
BACKGROUND
Configuration of the abdominal aorta is related to healthy aging and a variety of disorders.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to assess heritable and environmental effects on the abdominal aortic diameter.
METHODS
114 adult (69 monozygotic, 45 same-sex dizygotic) twin pairs (mean age 43.6 ± 16.3 years) underwent abdominal ultrasound with Esaote MyLab 70X ultrasound machine to visualize the abdominal aorta below the level of the origin of the renal arteries and 1-3 cm above the bifurcation.
RESULTS
Age- and sex-adjusted heritability of the abdominal aortic diameter below the level of the origin of the renal arteries was 40% [95% confidence interval (CI), 14 to 67%] and 55% above the aortic bifurcation (95% CI, 45 to 70%). None of the aortic diameters showed common environmental effects, but unshared environmental effects were responsible for 60% and 45% of the traits, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis documents the moderate heritability and its segment-specific difference of the abdominal aortic diameter. The moderate part of variance was explained by unshared environmental components, emphasizing the importance of lifestyle factors in primary prevention. Further studies in this field may guide future gene-mapping efforts and investigate specific lifestyle factors to prevent abdominal aortic dilatation and its complications.
Topics: Adult; Aorta, Abdominal; Aortic Diseases; Atherosclerosis; Female; Gene-Environment Interaction; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Life Style; Male; Middle Aged; Organ Size; Reference Values; Risk Factors; Twins, Dizygotic; Twins, Monozygotic; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 26559855
DOI: 10.5935/abc.20150140 -
Magnetic Resonance in Medical Sciences... Mar 2022Blood vessels can be regarded as autonomous organs. The endothelial cells on the vessel surface serve as mechanosensors or mechanoreceptors for the flow velocity and...
Blood vessels can be regarded as autonomous organs. The endothelial cells on the vessel surface serve as mechanosensors or mechanoreceptors for the flow velocity and turbulence of the blood flow in terms of wall shear stress (WSS), thereby monitoring changes in the flow velocity. Accordingly, the endothelial cells regulate the flow velocity by releasing numerous mediators. Such regulatory systems also trigger atherosclerosis, where the WSS decreases or fluctuates to maintain the flow velocity or local WSS. As occurrences of abdominal aortic aneurysms and aortic dissection are closely related to atherosclerosis, understanding the hemodynamics of the abdominal aorta is necessary to obtain useful information concerning the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and interventions. 4D flow MRI is beneficial for measuring the hemodynamics through comprehensive retrospective flowmetry of the entire spatio-temporal distributions of the flow vectors. This section focuses on abdominal aortic aneurysms and aortic dissection as representative examples of abdominal aortic diseases. Their hemodynamic characteristics and how hemodynamics is involved in their progression are described, and how 4D flow MRI can contribute to their assessment is also explained.
Topics: Aorta, Abdominal; Blood Flow Velocity; Endothelial Cells; Hemodynamics; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Regional Blood Flow; Retrospective Studies; Stress, Mechanical
PubMed: 35185062
DOI: 10.2463/mrms.rev.2021-0156 -
Journal of the American Heart... Apr 2020Background The protective effects of polyamines on cardiovascular disease have been demonstrated in many studies. However, the roles of spermidine, a natural polyamine,...
Background The protective effects of polyamines on cardiovascular disease have been demonstrated in many studies. However, the roles of spermidine, a natural polyamine, in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disease have not been studied. In this study, we investigated the influence and potential mechanisms of spermidine treatment on experimental AAA disease. Methods and Results Experimental AAAs were induced in 8- to 10-week-old male C57BL/6J mice by transient intra-aortic infusion of porcine pancreatic elastase. Spermidine was administered via drinking water at a concentration of 3 mmol/L. Spermidine treatment prevented experimental AAA formation with preservation of medial elastin and smooth muscle cells. In immunostaining, macrophages, T cells, neutrophils, and neovessels were significantly reduced in aorta of spermidine-treated, as compared with vehicle-treated elastase-infused mice. Additionally, flow cytometric analysis showed that spermidine treatment reduced aortic leukocyte infiltration and circulating inflammatory cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that spermidine treatment promoted autophagy-related proteins in experimental AAAs using Western blot analysis, immunostaining, and transmission electron microscopic examination. Autophagic function was evaluated for human abdominal aneurysmal and nonaneurysmal adjacent aortae from AAA patients using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Dysregulated autophagic function, as evidenced by increased SQSTM1/p62 protein and phosphorylated mTOR, was found in aneurysmal, as compared with nonaneurysmal, aortic segments. Conclusions Our results suggest that spermidine supplementation limits experimental AAA formation associated with preserved aortic structural integrity, attenuated aortic inflammatory infiltration, reduced circulating inflammatory monocytes, and increased autophagy-related proteins. These findings suggest that spermidine may be a promising treatment for AAA disease.
Topics: Aged; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Aorta, Abdominal; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Autophagy; Autophagy-Related Proteins; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Dilatation, Pathologic; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Humans; Inflammation Mediators; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Middle Aged; Pancreatic Elastase; Signal Transduction; Spermidine; Vascular Remodeling
PubMed: 32308093
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.119.014757 -
Medical Science Monitor : International... Oct 2012Advances in perinatal medicine have required an extensive knowledge of fetal aorto-iliac measurements. The present study was performed to compile reference data for...
BACKGROUND
Advances in perinatal medicine have required an extensive knowledge of fetal aorto-iliac measurements. The present study was performed to compile reference data for dimensions of the abdominal aorta at varying gestational ages.
MATERIAL/METHODS
Using the methods of anatomical dissection, digital-image analysis (Leica QWin Pro 16 system), and statistical analysis (Student's t-test, one-way ANOVA, post-hoc RIR Tukey test, regression analysis, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test), the growth of length (mm), proximal and distal external diameters (mm), and volume (mm3) of the abdominal aorta in 124 (60 male, 64 female) spontaneously aborted human fetuses aged 15-34 weeks was examined.
RESULTS
No significant male-female differences were found. The length ranged from 9.35±1.24 to 36.29±4.98 mm, according to the linear function y=-14.596+1.519 × Age ±2.639 (R2=0.92; p<0.0001). The proximal external diameter varied from 1.18±0.25 to 5.19±0.49 mm, according to the linear pattern y=-2.065+0.212 × Age ±0.348 (R2=0.92; p<0.0001). The distal external diameter increased from 1.03±0.23 to 4.92±0.46 mm, in accordance with the linear model y=-2.097+0.203 × Age ±0.351 (R2=0.92; p<0.0001). Both length and proximal external diameter of the abdominal aorta indicated a proportionate evolution, because the length-to-proximal external diameter ratio was stable, following the linear function y=7.724-0.017 × Age ±0.925. The abdominal aorta volume ranged from 9.6±4.5 to 740.5±201.8 mm3, given by the quadratic function y=911-101 × Age +2.838 × Age2 ±78 (R2=0.89; p<0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
There are no significant differences between males and females for morphometric parameters of the abdominal aorta. The abdominal aorta grows linearly in both length and diameters, and parabolically in volume. These detailed morphometric data of the abdominal aorta provide a database for intra-uterine echographic examinations in the early diagnosis, monitoring and management of aorto-iliac malformations.
Topics: Aorta, Abdominal; Female; Fetus; Gestational Age; Humans; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Male; Organ Size; Regression Analysis; Statistics as Topic
PubMed: 23018350
DOI: 10.12659/msm.883483 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Jul 2008The diameter of the abdominal aorta is central to the diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm. This study aimed to determine the associations between the diameter of the...
BACKGROUND
The diameter of the abdominal aorta is central to the diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm. This study aimed to determine the associations between the diameter of the abdominal aorta at three distinct locations and the traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors as well as calcified atherosclerosis.
METHODS
A total of 504 patients (41% women) underwent whole body scanning by electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) and a standardized assessment for cardiovascular disease risk factors. The resulting EBCT images were retrospectively interrogated for the diameter of the abdominal aorta just inferior to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), just superior to the aortic bifurcation, and at the midpoint between the SMA and bifurcation.
RESULTS
Mean patient age was 57.8 years. The mean (SD) diameter was 21.3 (2.9) mm at the SMA, 19.3 (2.5) mm at the midpoint, and 18.6 (2.2) mm at the bifurcation. In a model containing the traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors, age (standardized beta = 0.96), male sex (beta = 3.06), and body mass index (standardized beta = 0.68) were significantly associated with increasing aortic diameter at the SMA (P < .01 for all). The significance of the associations for these variables was the same for aortic diameter at the midpoint and bifurcation. Furthermore, a 1-unit increment in the calcium score in the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries was associated with 0.13-mm (P < .01) and 0.09-mm (P = .02) increases, respectively, in aortic diameter at the SMA. The results were similar for the midpoint (beta = 0.19, P < .01; beta = 0.12, P = .01, respectively) and bifurcation (beta = 0.09, P < .04; beta = 0.09, P = .03, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Age, sex, body mass index, and the presence and extent of calcified atherosclerosis in both the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries are significantly associated with increasing aortic diameter independent of the other cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aorta, Abdominal; Atherosclerosis; Blood Vessels; Body Mass Index; Calcium; Cardiovascular Diseases; Female; Humans; Iliac Artery; Linear Models; Male; Middle Aged
PubMed: 18515037
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2008.02.031 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Dec 2015Murine models have proved instrumental in studying various aspects of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), from identification of underlying pathophysiologic changes to the...
OBJECTIVE
Murine models have proved instrumental in studying various aspects of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), from identification of underlying pathophysiologic changes to the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In the current study, we describe a new model in which an elastase-treated donor aorta is transplanted to a recipient mouse and allowed to progress to aneurysm. We hypothesized that by transplanting an elastase-treated abdominal aorta of one genotype to a recipient mouse of a different genotype, one can differentiate pathophysiologic factors that are intrinsic to the aortic wall from those stemming from circulation and other organs.
METHODS
Elastase-treated aorta was transplanted to the infrarenal abdominal aorta of recipient mice by end-to-side microsurgical anastomosis. Heat-inactivated elastase-treated aorta was used as a control. Syngeneic transplants were performed with use of 12-week-old C57BL/6 littermates. Transplant grafts were harvested from recipient mice on day 7 or day 14 after surgery. The aneurysm outcome was measured by aortic expansion, elastin degradation, proinflammatory cytokine expression, and inflammatory cell infiltration and compared with that produced with the established, conventional elastase infusion model.
RESULTS
The surgical technique success rate was 75.6%, and the 14-day survival rate was 51.1%. By day 14 after surgery, all of the elastase-treated transplanted abdominal aortas had dilated and progressed to AAAs, defined as 100% or more increase in the maximal external diameter compared with that measured before elastase perfusion, whereas none of the transplanted aortas pretreated with inactive elastase became aneurysmal (percentage increase in maximum aortic diameter: 159.36% ± 23.27%, transplanted elastase, vs 41.46% ± 9.34%, transplanted inactive elastase). Aneurysm parameters, including elastin degradation and infiltration of macrophages and T lymphocytes, were found to be identical to those observed in the conventional elastase model. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed similarly increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines (relative changes of mRNA in the conventional elastase model vs transplant model: tumor necrosis factor α, 1.71 ± 0.27 vs 2.93 ± 0.86; monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, 2.36 ± 0.58 vs 2.87 ± 0.51; chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5, 3.37 ± 0.92 vs 3.46 ± 0.83; and interferon γ, 3.09 ± 0.83 vs 5.30 ± 1.69). Using green fluorescent protein transgenic mice as donors or recipients, we demonstrated that a small quantity of mononuclear leukocytes in the transplant grafts bared the genotype of the donors.
CONCLUSIONS
Transplanted elastase-treated abdominal aorta could develop to aneurysm in recipient mice. This AAA transplant model can be used to examine how the microenvironment of a transplanted aneurysmal aorta may be altered by the contributions of the "global" environment of the recipient.
Topics: Allografts; Animals; Aorta, Abdominal; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Cellular Microenvironment; Disease Models, Animal; Genotype; Humans; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Pancreatic Elastase
PubMed: 24974783
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2014.05.019 -
Journal of Vascular Surgery Oct 2002Hypoplasia of the thoracic and abdominal aorta, referred to as atypical, elongated, or diffuse coarctation, is an exceedingly rare cardiovascular anomaly. Congenital,... (Review)
Review
Hypoplasia of the thoracic and abdominal aorta, referred to as atypical, elongated, or diffuse coarctation, is an exceedingly rare cardiovascular anomaly. Congenital, acquired, inflammatory, and infectious etiologies have been described. Symptoms typically occur within the first three decades of life and include hypertension, lower extremity claudication, and mesenteric ischemia. The condition is considered a life-threatening emergency as a result of the complications associated with severe hypertension. Diagnosis is best made with angiography. Surgical bypass grafting is the optimal method of treatment and must be tailored depending on the distribution of disease. We report two cases of diffuse hypoplasia involving the thoracic and abdominal aorta treated with thoracic aorta to abdominal aorta bypass.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aorta, Abdominal; Aorta, Thoracic; Aortic Coarctation; Humans; Male; Radiography
PubMed: 12368748
DOI: No ID Found