Articles tagged with Aorta
A study of veteran endurance athletes aged 50-75 found that 20-25% had an enlarged aorta, challenging the concept that the aorta is a stable structure. The study's findings suggest that lifelong exercise may cause dilation of the aorta with attendant risks.
The study measures dynamic physical properties of human aortas and finds that age impairs their proper functioning. The researchers aim to design grafts capable of mimicking native aorta behavior, improving patients' quality of life.
Researchers at the University of Dundee develop a blood test to detect desmosine, an amino acid released by diseased aortas into the blood and urine. This test improves diagnosis and monitoring of aortic aneurysms, potentially saving lives by identifying patients at risk.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that endovascular aneurysm repair had similar long-term overall survival rates as open repair, making it a viable option for patients. The minimally invasive procedure is also less painful and has a shorter recovery period than open surgery.
A new study found that abdominal aortic calcification measured by CT scans is a strong predictor of future cardiovascular events, outperforming the widely used Framingham risk score. The research suggests that detecting calcification via routine CT scans could help identify patients at high risk and enable early interventions.
Thrombospondin-1 plays a critical role in mechanotransduction and elastic fiber organization, contributing to the development of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms. Deletion of Thbs1 prevents aneurysm formation, restoring aorta biomechanical properties.
A study found that ciprofloxacin exposure accelerates the progression of aortic diseases in mouse models. The antibiotic disrupts the extracellular matrix, leading to cell death and tissue damage.
A Swedish cohort study of over 130,000 men found that abdominal aortic aneurysm screening did not substantially reduce deaths from the condition. The study suggests that the lower mortality rate may be due to declining smoking rates, and that the harms of screening may outweigh its benefits.
D-transposition of the great arteries is a cyanotic congenital heart disease affecting 3-5% of CHDs, with surgical management evolving to anatomic repair. Clinicians must closely monitor patients through adulthood and beyond for long-term outcomes.
Physicians and biomedical engineers create patient-specific models to predict complications and optimize treatment decisions. The approach has led to improved patient outcomes, such as Bernice Belcher's successful open heart surgery.
A study found that former NFL players have significantly larger ascending aortic diameters than non-players, with almost 30% having an aorta wider than 4cm. This could be due to a remodeling process caused by repeated strenuous exercise, increasing their risk of heart disease.
Researchers have found a link between abnormal tryptophan metabolism and abdominal aortic aneurysm, a permanent enlargement of the abdominal aorta. The study suggests that substances derived from tryptophan metabolism may be biomarkers for the disease and could potentially be used to develop novel therapies.
A recent study using the Sawyer-Tower technique finds no signs of piezoelectricity or ferroelectricity in pig aorta. The researchers tested the tissue's electromechanical properties and found it behaves like a standard dielectric material.
A new study published in The Lancet found that women with aortic aneurysms fare worse than men at every stage of treatment, leading to increased mortality rates. The researchers call for urgent improvement in how the condition is managed in women.
A study found that African-Americans have greater aortic stiffness than Caucasians and Hispanics, which may explain the higher rates of hypertension and heart disease in this group. The researchers suggest that genetic differences, sodium intake, and potassium levels may contribute to these findings.
A minimally-invasive procedure to fix an aortic aneurysm, called endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), may be associated with a higher risk of long-term complications, including mortality, compared to open surgery. Regular scans can help prevent these complications.
Ender Finol's American Heart Association award supports freezing aortic aneurysms before they burst. Researchers aim to apply the chemical compound pentagalloyl glucose non-invasively to human subjects.
Researchers at MUSC aim to develop novel treatment options for thoracic aortic aneurysms by studying the cellular events leading to their formation. The $1.46 million NIH grant will focus on translating discoveries into potential therapeutics, including region-specific gene therapy and targeted pharmacologic treatments.
A genetic mutation in the lysyl oxidase gene has been identified as a cause of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. Researchers have found that this mutation disrupts the structure and strength of the aorta, leading to increased risk of rupture.
A new genetic mutation in the TGFB3 gene has been discovered, linking it to serious aortic disorders. This finding allows for improved diagnostic screening, enabling early identification of patients at risk and potentially preventing aortic aneurysm formation through preventive treatment.
Researchers argue that aneurysm screening programs should be revised due to reduced benefits and increased harm in modern populations. The screenings are estimated to overdiagnose AAA cases by 176 out of every 10,000 men invited.
Research from the University of Cambridge suggests that a simple supplement could reduce heart disease risk in individuals born with low birth weight. The study found that a molecule called CoQ prevented cells in the aorta from ageing prematurely, which can lead to heart disease.
Research published in The FASEB Journal suggests that low birth weight in rats can lead to reduced co-enzyme Q levels in the aorta, but supplementing with extra CoQ may prevent age-associated damage and heart disease. This study provides potential steps towards developing a diagnostic test for blood co-enzyme Q levels.
Researchers found that Losartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker, is as effective as beta blockers in slowing the growth of the aorta in patients with Marfan syndrome. The study included 608 patients and showed similar rates of tears in the aorta and no difference in deaths between the two groups.
Hospital admissions for acute aortic dissection increased during peak flu season in the US, according to research. Researchers found a notable correlation between flu activity and AAD admissions from 2001-2013.
The new guidelines cover aneurysms, calcifications, congenital diseases, aortic inflammation, and tumors, with improved diagnostic capabilities using imaging technologies. The guidelines recommend opportunistic screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm and the use of hybrid treatments, as well as establishing aortic teams in hospitals.
A new study published in Neurobiology of Aging found that exercising improves cardiovascular strength, which may protect against cognitive impairment as we age. The researchers tested 31 young people and 54 older adults, finding that those with better aortic elasticity and aerobic fitness performed better on cognitive tests.
Researchers found that stiff arteries alone can lead to high blood pressure by preventing the body from sensing changes in blood pressure. This discovery could pave the way for new treatments targeting arterial stiffness as a key factor in developing high blood pressure.
Physicians report success in weaning patient off bypass with intra-aortic balloon pump due to reversible left ventricle dysfunction and minimal atherosclerosis. The pump can be an option for patients with mild to moderate aortic insufficiency who don't have severe atherosclerosis.
A new technique developed by University of Iowa physiologist Gary Pierce uses the finger's pulse to measure aortic stiffness, a common risk factor for heart disease. The method, which is non-invasive and easily obtainable during routine exams, can provide useful diagnostic information for middle-aged and older patients.
A multi-institutional team has found a recurrent genetic mutation, PRKG1, linked to thoracic aortic dissections in families with young members. The mutation causes muscle cells in the aorta wall to respond incorrectly to blood flow, leading to aneurysms and acute dissections.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center used MRI to measure aortic atherosclerosis and found that thicker walls were associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks. A smaller plaque buildup was linked to increased risk of peripheral vascular occlusion, stroke, and abdominal aortic aneurysms.
A study of over 2,000 adults found that increased abdominal aortic wall thickness and plaque buildup are associated with future cardiovascular events. MRI measurements can help identify individuals at risk of these events.
A nationwide study reveals that heredity plays a significant role in common forms of atherosclerotic disease, with risk highest for individuals with family history. The study found a strong correlation between early-onset aortic atherosclerosis and increased risk of developing the same type of disease.
A retrospective study found that placing a stent within the aorta facilitated tumor removal and eliminated heart-lung bypass needs. Patients with non-small cell lung carcinomas and sarcomas benefited from this minimally invasive approach.
A small study found that babies born to overweight or obese mothers already have thickened artery walls, a sign of heart disease. This finding suggests that maternal weight may contribute to a child's risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.
A research team led by Professor Zamaneh Kassiri has discovered that boosting TIMP3 levels can prevent the development of abdominal aneurysms. The study found that a protein called MMP2, despite being a contributor to heart and vascular disease, did not cause aneurysms when combined with TIMP3 deficiency.
A Mayo Clinic study found that endovascular repair has a low rate of complications, even in high-risk patients. Researchers analyzed data from 1,008 consecutive patients and found a lower mortality rate than open-abdominal surgery when aneurysms ruptured.
Two tiny molecules, miR-21 and miR-29b, have been found to strengthen the aorta during bulge growth, reducing abdominal aortic aneurysms in mice. The team believes this could lead to a new treatment for the disease.
A study found that patients with BAV have an increased risk of aortic dissection, with a 8.4 times higher risk compared to the general population. The 25-year risk of aortic surgery was also high, at 53%. The researchers highlight the importance of close monitoring and early recognition for prevention.
A study found that people with duplications in chromosome 16's 16p13.1 region are at 12-fold increased risk of thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. Researchers from UTHealth and Baylor College of Medicine discovered this association, which may lead to aggressive forms of the disease and require closer monitoring.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have made significant progress in understanding the mechanisms behind losartan's protective effects against life-threatening aortic aneurysms in patients with Marfan syndrome. By identifying key proteins involved in the disease process, the team has found new targets for potential treatments.
Researchers at UTHealth have identified a fifth gene defect associated with thoracic aortic disease, as well as 47 DNA regions linked to the condition. The findings offer new insights into the role of smooth muscle cells in contracting the aorta and provide potential avenues for blocking or reversing the disease.
A study found that obese children have stiff blood vessels similar to those of older adults with cardiovascular disease. The aortic stiffness is an early indicator of cardiovascular disease in obese children, suggesting accelerated aging.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that amphetamine abuse increases the risk of aortic dissection in young adults. The study, published in American Heart Journal, analyzed medical records from nearly 31 million people and found a threefold increase in odds of aortic dissection among those who abused amphetamines.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that endovascular stent implantation outperforms traditional open-chest surgery in treating thoracic aortic tears. Patients who received stents experienced less kidney failure, lower death rates, and shorter recovery times.
Researchers at USC identified retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, as a critical regulator of the Second Heart Field's tissue formation and septation process. Disruptions in this pathway can result in serious congenital malformations of the heart.
The new clinical guidelines offer recommendations for the diagnosis and management of thoracic aortic disease, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment. Risk factors include high blood pressure, age, male gender, and genetic conditions that weaken connective tissue.
Researchers found that inflammation is critical in aortic dissection and interleukin-6 plays key role. Studies using mice and human samples validate findings, providing new insights into underlying mechanisms.
A new procedure called CESA combines endovascular and surgical approaches to treat high-risk aortic aneurysms. The technique has shown excellent results in the first 20 high-risk patients with complex aortic pathology treated with CESA, with a cumulative survival rate of 76% at two years.
A new study found that nearly a third of first-degree relatives of BAV patients have enlarged aortas, a potentially serious condition. The study also revealed that 53% of BAV patients had enlarged aortas, and 9.4% of first-degree relatives had BAV.
The minimally invasive endograft procedure enables doctors to fix the artery without making an incision, reducing blood loss and recovery time. This innovative approach has evolved treatment options for blunt aortic injury, stabilizing the injured artery and offering a life-saving option for patients with multiple traumatic injuries.
A study of 642 adults with bicuspid aortic valves found that cardiac events and death were more common in younger age groups. However, overall mortality was not significantly different between the group and the general population.
Patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms are increasingly being treated with stent grafts, which require minimal incision and rapid recovery. A recent study found that patients receiving stent grafts had significantly lower complication rates compared to those undergoing open chest surgery.
A small study of 18 patients with severe Marfan syndrome found that losartan slowed aortic enlargement by nearly half, offering a promising new treatment option. The study's findings have led to the approval of a large-scale clinical trial for losartan in Marfan syndrome patients.
The study found that implementing endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair reduces overall mortality in patients. Older patients and those who are hemodynamically stable experience the largest improvements in survival, shifting high-risk patients to this treatment option.
UT-Houston researchers have identified a defective gene mutation in smooth muscle alpha-actin (ACTA2) that affects vascular smooth-muscle cells, leading to thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. The study suggests that contraction of the smooth muscle cells in the aorta is crucial in maintaining its health.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center developed a technique using veins from a patient's own leg to repair infected aortic grafts. The study found that patients had few side effects and fared well in the long-term after receiving natural grafts, reducing risks of infection and blockage.
Researchers propose new model for predicting post-hospital death risk in aortic dissection patients based on blood clotting in the false lumen. Partial clotting is associated with a much greater risk of death, while those with patent or completely thrombosed false lumens have intermediate and lower risks respectively.
A team of scientists at WashU Medicine has discovered that the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase I plays a critical role in promoting the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Without this enzyme, mice do not develop aneurysms due to reduced recruitment of inflammatory cells.