Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Ultrasound Imaging of the Thoracic and Abdominal Aorta in Mice to Determine Aneurysm Dimensions
Published on: March 8, 2019
Histomorphologic characteristics of abdominal aortic aneurysm samples are similar in abdominal-only vs
Marvin Kapalla1, Heiner Nebelung2, Anna Klimova3
1Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Department for Visceral, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus and University Hospital, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Abstract:
The abdominal aorta is the most frequent site of aneurysm development including mostly localized abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) but also more extensive pathologies like thoracoabdominal aneurysms (TAAAs). This study compares histologic features including inflammation, fibrosis, and angiogenesis in samples from the abdominal aneurysm wall from patients with AAAs (n = 272) and TAAAs (n = 24) after open repair. Both cohorts show a similar pathomorphology and a patient-centered propensity score-matching for age, sex, clinical presentation, maximum diameter, comorbidities, smoking, and basic medication reveals no significant differences for the basic histologic features investigated. These exploratory results can be interpreted towards a possible transferability of basic and translational research results for a nonsurgical treatment of patients with AAAs and TAAAs.
Clinical Relevance:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is by far the most frequent aortic aneurysm-yet basic scientific knowledge is limited, and clinical studies on aneurysm growth abrogation have not shown beneficial effects. Data and understanding on more extensive disease, such as thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms is even more scarce. This manuscript provides a first hint that pathomechanisms based on histomorphology might be comparable between abdominal aortic aneurysm samples and abdominal wall samples from patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms in a well-matched propensity-scored analysis. Thus, results from translational research on aneurysm growth alterations could be applicable for both entities.
Related Concept Videos
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Aneurysm I: Introduction
Aneurysm III: Interprofessional Care
Abdominal Aorta
The celiac trunk, a singular artery, divides into the left gastric artery, which...
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
The Aorta
The average diameter of the aorta is approximately 2-3 cm, but the size can vary depending on the section of the aorta and the individual's age, sex, and body size. The aorta is...

