Divergent phenotypes between the perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) surrounding the abdominal and the thoracic aorta might be implicated in regional aortic differences, such as susceptibility to atherosclerosis. Although PVAT of the thoracic aorta exhibits anti-contractile function, the role of PVAT in the regulation of the vascular tone of the abdominal aorta is not well defined. In the presen...

Measurement of oxygen uptake by thoracic and abdominal segments of rat aorta showed significantly lower rates in the abdominal than in the thoracic aorta of adult animals. The evidence suggests that as a rat ages the respiratory rate of abdominal aorta falls more sharply than that of the thoracic segment. This result may provide an explanation for the relatively high incidence of atherosclerosi...

Reports have shown the antioxidant, hypotensive, hypolipidemic and vasodilatory effects of grape (Vitis vinifera L.) seed extract. We have recently shown the relaxatory effect of grape leaf extract on rat uterus and reduction of frog heart rate and contractility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relaxant effect of Vitis vinifera leaf hydroalcoholic extract (VLHE) on rat thora...

BACKGROUND The natural history of thoracic aortic aneurysm is incompletely understood. Over the last 10 years, at Yale University we have maintained a large computerized database of patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. Analysis of this database has permitted insight into fundamental issues of natural behavior of the aorta and development of criteria for surgical intervention...

This study defines normal growth for the various aortic segments in 128 spontaneously aborted human foetuses aged 15-34 weeks. With the use of anatomical dissection, digital-image analysis (using the Leica Q Win Pro 16 system) and statistical analysis (ANOVA, regression equation), a range of length measurements for the ascending aorta, aortic arch and thoracic aorta was examined. No significant...

BACKGROUND Elective thoracic endovascular aortic repair in selected patients with suitable aortic anatomy is associated with low morbidity and mortality, and is gaining widespread acceptance. Its benefit in acute thoracic aorta diseases, however, has not yet been demonstrated in high-numbered studies. This report presents data of the Talent Thoracic Retrospective Registry (TTR) of all patients ...

Thoracic aortic aneurysm represents a deadly condition, particularly when it evolves into rupture and dissection. Proper surgical timing is the key to positively influencing survival of patients with this pathology. According most recent guidelines, ascending aorta size ? 55 mm rate growth 0.5 cm per year are important factors for indication. Nevertheless, lot evidence show that ruptures dissec...

PURPOSE To investigate the relationship between the vascular diameter and the extent and histologic characteristics of atherosclerosis in the thoracic and abdominal aortas of patients who died of atherosclerotic disease. METHOD We measured the vascular diameter and evaluated the percentage atrophy of the medial layer of the thoracic and abdominal aortas of 19 patients who died due to atherosc...

OBJECTIVE Aortic aneurysm, focal dilation of the aorta, results from impaired integrity of aortic extracellular matrix (ECM). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are traditionally known as ECM-degrading enzymes. MMP2 has been associated with aneurysm in patients and in animal models. We investigated the role of MMP2 in thoracic aortic aneurysm using 2 models of aortic remodeling and aneurysm. AP...