title: Segmental aortic stiffening contributes to experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm development.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stiffening of the aortic wall is a phenomenon consistently observed in age and in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, its role in AAA pathophysiology is largely undefined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using an established murine elastase-induced AAA model, we demonstrate that segmental aortic stiffening precedes aneurysm growth. Finite-element analysis reveals that early stiffening of the aneurysm-prone aortic segment leads to axial (longitudinal) wall stress generated by cyclic (systolic) tethering of adjacent, more compliant wall segments. Interventional stiffening of AAA-adjacent aortic segments (via external application of surgical adhesive) significantly reduces aneurysm growth. These changes correlate with the reduced segmental stiffness of the AAA-prone aorta (attributable to equalized stiffness in adjacent segments), reduced axial wall stress, decreased production of reactive oxygen species, attenuated elastin breakdown, and decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines and macrophage infiltration, and attenuated apoptosis within the aortic wall, as well. Cyclic pressurization of segmentally stiffened aortic segments ex vivo increases the expression of genes related to inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling. Finally, human ultrasound studies reveal that aging, a significant AAA risk factor, is accompanied by segmental infrarenal aortic stiffening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study introduces the novel concept of segmental aortic stiffening as an early pathomechanism generating aortic wall stress and triggering aneurysmal growth, thereby delineating potential underlying molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. In addition, monitoring segmental aortic stiffening may aid the identification of patients at risk for AAA.
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Raaz
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Zöllner
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Isabel N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Schellinger
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Ryuji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Toh
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Futoshi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nakagami
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Fabian C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Emrich
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Yosuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kayama
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eken
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Matti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maegdefessel
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hertel
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jagger
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buerke
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Ronald L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Dalman
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Joshua M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Spin
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kuhl
authors.affiliation: From Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.). ptsao@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Philip S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Tsao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008875:Middle Aged; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000633:toxicity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D014463:Ultrasonography; D059289:Vascular Stiffness
chemical_list: D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase
keywords: aneurysm; aorta; arterial stiffness; stress, mechanical; vascular remodeling