Differential Expression Analyses on Human Aortic Tissue Reveal Novel Genes and Pathways Associated With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Onset and Progression.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are focal dilatations of the abdominal aorta that expand progressively, increasing their risk of rupture. Rupture of an AAA is associated with high mortality rates, but the mechanisms underlying the initiation, expansion, and rupture of AAAs are not yet fully understood. We aimed to characterize the pathophysiology of AAAs and identify new genes associated with AAA initiation and progression.

Normal Infrarenal Aortic Diameter in Men and Women in a Mediterranean Area.

Background: Infrarenal aortic diameter (AD) values currently considered normal are based on measurements from epidemiologic studies performed over 20 years ago. Knowledge of expected normal AD is important for understanding the relevance of abdominal aortic dilatation. The aim of this study was to define contemporary reference values for normal infrarenal AD and build a predictive model based on individual features.

Feasibility and Efficiency Study of a Population-Based Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Program in Men and Women in Spain.

Background: Based on current evidence, one-time screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in men using ultrasound evaluation reduces mortality related to AAA rupture and is considered cost-effective, although all-cause mortality reduction still remains in question. In Spain, there is no population screening program for AAA, so the aim of our study was to perform a pilot population screening program in our area to assess feasibility and efficiency of an AAA screening program for men and women.

Methods: A population AAA screening pilot program was performed in a Barcelona area, including 400,000 inhabitants.

The TAGA Study: A Study of Factors Determining Aortic Diameter in Families at High Risk of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Reveal Two New Candidate Genes.

A variety of disorders are known to be related with aortic geometry, among them abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This work aims to present the main determinants of abdominal aortic diameter in a new cohort of families at high risk of AAA. The Triple-A Genomic Analysis (TAGA) study comprises 407 individuals related in 12 families.

Finite element analysis in symptomatic and asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysms for aortic disease risk stratification.

Background: Advanced biomechanical models can provide additional information concerning rupture risk in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Here we evaluated the predictive value of finite element analysis (FEA) to assess AAA rupture risk.

Methods: In a case-control study, we compared FEA parameters in a group of symptomatic AAA (sAAA) patients, considered as a high risk of rupture group, with FEA parameters in asymptomatic AAA patients (aAAA).

Anaemia in patients who underwent vascular surgery: a significant predictor of amputation and death.

Background And Objective: In patients with peripheral artery disease requiring surgery, anaemia has been found to independently predict short and medium term higher morbidity and mortality.

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively studied all patients undergoing surgery, consecutively during 2months in 12 vascular surgery units. We analysed cardiovascular risk factors and preoperative haemoglobin.

Down-regulation of Fibulin-5 is associated with aortic dilation: role of inflammation and epigenetics.

Aims: Destructive remodelling of extracellular matrix (ECM) and inflammation lead to dilation and ultimately abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Fibulin-5 (FBLN5) mediates cell-ECM interactions and elastic fibre assembly and is critical for ECM remodelling. We aimed to characterize FBLN5 regulation in human AAA and analyse the underlying mechanisms.

Expression and Cellular Localization of 15-Hydroxy-Prostaglandin-Dehydrogenase in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

PGE2 has been implicated in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) associated hypervascularization. PGE2-metabolism involves 15-hydroxyprostaglandin-dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) the expression of which in AAA is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the expression and cell distribution of 15-PGDH in AAA.

Active smoking increases microsomal PGE2-synthase-1/PGE-receptor-4 axis in human abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Background: The cyclooxygenase- (COX-) 2/microsomal PGE-synthase- (mPGES-) 1/PGE-receptor- (EP-) 4 axis could play a key role in the physiopathology of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in humans. In this study, we investigated the influence of cardiovascular risk factors on the expression of the PGE2 pathway in human AAA.

Methods: Aortic (n = 89) and plasma (n = 79) samples from patients who underwent AAA repair were collected.

Microvascular COX-2/mPGES-1/EP-4 axis in human abdominal aortic aneurysm.

We investigated the prostaglandin (PG)E2 pathway in human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and its relationship with hypervascularization. We analyzed samples from patients undergoing AAA repair in comparison with those from healthy multiorgan donors. Patients were stratified according to maximum aortic diameter: low diameter (LD) (<55 mm), moderate diameter (MD) (55-69.

The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease 4-calculated glomerular filtration rate is a better prognostic factor of cardiovascular events than classical cardiovascular risk factors in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Objective: Risk prediction is important in medical management, especially to optimize patient management before surgical intervention. No quantitative risk scores or predictors are available for patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Surgical risk and prognosis are usually based on anesthetic scores or clinical evaluation.

Hypoxia upregulates PGI-synthase and increases PGI₂ release in human vascular cells exposed to inflammatory stimuli.

Hypoxia affects vascular function and cell metabolism, survival, growth, and motility; these processes are partially regulated by prostanoids. We analyzed the effect of hypoxia and inflammation on key enzymes involved in prostanoid biosynthesis in human vascular cells. In human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), hypoxia and interleukin (IL)-1β synergistically increased prostaglandin (PG)I₂ but not PGE₂ release, thereby increasing the PGI₂/PGE₂ ratio.

[Clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of patients with critical leg ischemia: ICEBERG Study].

Background And Objectives: Critical leg ischemia (CLI) is a medical emergency with a high morbidity and mortality. Although its prognosis has improved during the last years, there are no data on its clinical characteristics, treatment and in-hospital prognosis in our country.

Patients And Method: 671 patients (81% males, mean age 71.

Compression assisted by removable coils as a new treatment for iatrogenic femoral pseudoaneurysms.

To avoid undesirable effects that sometimes result from current treatments for postpuncture femoral pseudoaneurysms, we developed a new technique involving compression assisted by removable coils. Using ultrasound-guided percutaneous puncture, an Inconel coil with synthetic microfibers is inserted in the pseudoaneurysm, leaving a part of the coil above the skin. Short-duration, ultrasound-guided compression is applied, taking advantage of the coil's thrombogenicity.

Retinoic acid induces PGI synthase expression in human endothelial cells.

Retinoic acid (RA) exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and immuno-modulatory actions, and affects angiogenesis and thrombosis. Arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites are involved in all these processes. We explored the effect of RA on AA metabolism in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).