Markers of extracellular matrix remodeling and systemic inflammation in patients with heritable thoracic aortic diseases.

Background: In approximately 20% of patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms or dissections a heritable thoracic aortic disease (HTAD) is suspected. Several monogenic connective tissue diseases imply high risk of aortic disease, including both non-syndromic and syndromic forms. There are some studies assessing inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling in patients with non-hereditary aortic disease, but such studies in patients with hereditary diseases are scarce.