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Updated: May 5, 2026

Quantitative Analysis and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Murine Aortic Sinus
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Published on: December 7, 2013

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Insights From the Histopathologic Analysis of Acquired and Genetic Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections

L Maximilian Buja1,2, Bihong Zhao1, Humaira Sadaf1

  • 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas.

Texas Heart Institute Journal
|February 12, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Histopathologic medial degeneration in thoracic aortic disease shows significant overlap between heritable and sporadic forms. This suggests medial degeneration is a common outcome of various disease-causing factors.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Pathology
  • Histopathology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Thoracic aortic disease (TAD) encompasses a spectrum of conditions affecting the aorta.
  • Understanding the histopathologic features of TAD is crucial for diagnosis and management.
  • Contemporary consensus criteria aid in evaluating aortic pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To apply consensus criteria for evaluating aortic pathology.
  • To enhance the understanding and management of aortic diseases.
  • To compare histopathologic findings in heritable and sporadic thoracic aortic disease.

Main Methods:

  • Ascending aortic specimens from 42 patients with heritable TAD and 86 patients with sporadic TAD were analyzed.
  • A scoring system based on consensus criteria was applied.
  • Genetic variations and demographic data were considered.

Main Results:

  • Significant overlap in medial degeneration patterns between heritable and sporadic TAD.
  • Heritable TAD showed more medial degeneration, elastic fiber fragmentation, and mucoid accumulation.
  • Heritable TAD was more prevalent in women, who also had more severe medial degeneration.
  • Lower medial degeneration scores were observed in patients with bicuspid aortic valves compared to tricuspid aortic valves.

Conclusions:

  • Histopathologic medial degeneration is a common endpoint for diverse pathogenetic mechanisms in TAD.
  • Overlap in histopathology suggests shared underlying processes despite different etiologies.
  • The findings support the utility of consensus criteria in characterizing TAD.
Abstract

Keywords:
Aortic aneurysmaortic dissectionpathologytunica media

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