title: Biology of aortic aneurysms and dissections.
abstract: The biology of aortic aneurysm and dissection has evolved to where we now understand the genetic implications of changes in extracellular matrix proteins, smooth muscle cells, and growth factors and how they affect aortic wall homeostasis. These predeterminants are influenced by smoking, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, and the result in an inflammatory response coupled to an accelerated proteolytic cascade that disrupts both elastin and collagen in the aortic wall.
authors: Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors: Joseph S
authors: JS
authors: Fernandez-Moure
authors: Daynene
authors: D
authors: Vykoukal
authors: Mark G
authors: MG
authors: Davies
mesh_terms: D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species