[Physiopathology of aortic aneurysm].

Abstract

Aneurysm is an arterial dilatation with risk of rupture. It is a disease of the media characterized by the destruction of extracellular matrix proteins (especially elastin) involving different proteases: matrix metalloproteinases, fibrinolytic proteases (plasminogen activators, plasmin), leucocyte elastase, and by the absence of scarring process. There is an imbalance in the aortic wall between proteolytic and antiproteolytic activities, the former being overexpressed (by inflammatory cells infiltrating the aortic wall on the adventitial side, and the endoluminal thrombus), the latter (normally synthesized and secreted by vascular smooth muscle cells) being decreased in relation to the disappearance of smooth muscle cells.

• Authors: Patrick Rossignol, Vincent Fontaine, Olivier Meilhac, Eduardo Anglés-Cano, Marie-Paule Jacob, Jean-Baptiste Michel
• Journal: La Revue du praticien (Rev Prat) Vol. 52 Issue 10 Pg. 1061-5 (May 15 2002) ISSN: 0035-2640 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Physiopathologie des anévrismes de l'aorte.
• PMID: 12107925 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Extracellular Matrix Proteins

Topics

• Aneurysm, Ruptured (physiopathology)
• Aorta (pathology)
• Aortic Aneurysm (physiopathology)
• Extracellular Matrix Proteins (metabolism)
• Humans
• Inflammation
• Muscle, Smooth (cytology, pathology)
• Risk Factors