Atorvastatin modulates matrix metalloproteinase expression, activity, and signaling in abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Statins may reduce abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression. We sought to measure how atorvastatin (AT) treatment might modulate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and/or activity in human AAA. Tissue from human AAAs at surgical repair was obtained from patients who were either not on statins (NST, n = 19) or treated with AT (n = 19).

Atorvastatin mediates increases in intralesional BAX and BAK expression in human end-stage abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Chronic apoptosis activation may participate in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) expansion. Statin treatment slows AAA progression independent of cholesterol lowering. We hypothesized that Atorvastatin treatment alters apoptosis protein expression and activation in AAAs.

BAK1 gene variation and abdominal aortic aneurysms.

We sought to examine the role of genetics in the multifactorial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), by studying sequence variation in the BAK1 gene (BAK1) that codes for an apoptotic-promoting protein, as chronic apoptosis activation has been linked to AAA development and progression. BAK1 abdominal aorta cDNA from AAA patients and nondiseased individuals were compared with each other, as well as to the BAK1 genomic sequence obtained from matching blood samples. We found specific BAK1 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) containing alleles in both aneurysmic (31 cases) and healthy aortic tissue (5 cases) without seeing them in the matching blood samples.

Ten-year surgical experience with nontraumatic pericardial effusions: a comparison between the subxyphoid and transthoracic approaches to pericardial window.

Hypothesis: The approach to pericardial window in patients with nontraumatic pericardial effusion impacts outcome.

Design: Retrospective review and comparison of all cases of pericardial window performed over 10 years. Follow-up was to patient death.

Mycotic aneurysm of the carotid bifurcation in the neck: case report and review of the literature.

Objective And Importance: Mycotic aneurysms of the extracranial carotid artery are rare and difficult to diagnose. A search of the world literature published since 1966 reveals at least six cases of mycotic carotid aneurysms due to a Salmonella septicemia. We present an exceptional case of mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the bifurcation of the carotid artery due to Salmonella septicemia and discuss the pathogenesis as well as various aspects of the diagnosis and surgical management.