Evidence map›Paper›PMID 25904646›Full record

ArticleCirculation2015

Segmental aortic stiffening contributes to experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm development.

Uwe Raaz, Alexander M Zöllner, Isabel N Schellinger, Ryuji Toh, Futoshi Nakagami, Moritz Brandt, Fabian C Emrich, Yosuke Kayama, Suzanne Eken, Matti Adam and 9 more

Registry-linked trialOpen access · bronzeAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Circulation, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT04838249 (Investigation of the Effects of Testosterone and Estrogen on Eating Behavior, Metabolism, Energy Balance and Cardiovascular System in Transsexual Patients Undergoing Cross-sex Hormone Therapy), which is not on this map. Cited by 71 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
71citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
11.7field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT04838249 recruitingnot on this mapstarted 2021, after this paper: background citation

Investigation of the Effects of Testosterone and Estrogen on Eating Behavior, Metabolism, Energy Balance and Cardiovascular System in Transsexual Patients Undergoing Cross-sex Hormone Therapy

TypeobservationalSponsorUniversity of LeipzigRan2021 to 2026Enrolled80ConditionsTranssexualism, Transgenderism, Adiposity, Eating Behavior
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

71 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 147 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Guideline
  4. Article
  5. Molecular imaging of aortic fibroblast activation protein throughEuropean journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging · 2026
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  10. Abdominal Aortic Endograft Implantation Immediately Induces Vascular Stiffness Gradients That May Promote Adverse Aortic Neck Dilatation: Results of A PorcineJournal of endovascular therapy : an official journal of the International Society of Endovascular Specialists · 2025
    Article
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11 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

19 authors at 1 institution in 3 countries.

Uwe RaazFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Alexander M ZöllnerFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Isabel N SchellingerFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Ryuji TohFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Futoshi NakagamiFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Moritz BrandtFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Fabian C EmrichFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Yosuke KayamaFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Suzanne EkenFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Matti AdamFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Lars MaegdefesselFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Thomas HertelFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Alicia DengFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Ann JaggerFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Michael BuerkeFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Ronald L DalmanFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Joshua M SpinFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Ellen KuhlFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.).
Philip S TsaoFrom Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., I.N.S., R.T., F.N., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.MS., P.S.T.); Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (U.R., A.M.Z., F.N., M.B., F.C.E., Y.K., M.A., R.L.D., J.M.S., P.S.T.); VA Palo Alto Health Care System, CA (U.R., I.N.S., Y.K., M.A., A.D., A.J., J.M.S., P.S.T.); Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (A.M.Z., E.K.); Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (F.C.E., E.K.); Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden (S.E., L.M.); Center for Vascular Medicine, Zwickau, Germany (T.H.); Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine, Saint Mary's Hospital, Siegen, Germany (M.B.); Division of Vascular Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (R.L.D.); and Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA (E.K.). ptsao@stanford.edu.
VA Palo Alto Health Care System · US

Funding

Insulin Resistance, Vascular Stiffness, and HypertensionR01HL105299 · NHLBI · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · PI TSAO, PHILIP S · 2010 to 2013
$1.6M
NHLBI NIH HHS 1R01HL105299NHLBI NIH HHS R01 HL105299
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundStiffening of the aortic wall is a phenomenon consistently observed in age and in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). However, its role in AAA pathophysiology is largely undefined. METHODS AND

resultsUsing an established murine elastase-induced AAA model, we demonstrate that segmental aortic stiffening precedes aneurysm growth. Finite-element analysis reveals that early stiffening of the aneurysm-prone aortic segment leads to axial (longitudinal) wall stress generated by cyclic (systolic) tethering of adjacent, more compliant wall segments. Interventional stiffening of AAA-adjacent aortic segments (via external application of surgical adhesive) significantly reduces aneurysm growth. These changes correlate with the reduced segmental stiffness of the AAA-prone aorta (attributable to equalized stiffness in adjacent segments), reduced axial wall stress, decreased production of reactive oxygen species, attenuated elastin breakdown, and decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines and macrophage infiltration, and attenuated apoptosis within the aortic wall, as well. Cyclic pressurization of segmentally stiffened aortic segments ex vivo increases the expression of genes related to inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling. Finally, human ultrasound studies reveal that aging, a significant AAA risk factor, is accompanied by segmental infrarenal aortic stiffening.

conclusionsThe present study introduces the novel concept of segmental aortic stiffening as an early pathomechanism generating aortic wall stress and triggering aneurysmal growth, thereby delineating potential underlying molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets. In addition, monitoring segmental aortic stiffening may aid the identification of patients at risk for AAA.

Indexed as

Vascular StiffnessAdultAgedAgingAnimalsAortic Aneurysm, AbdominalDisease Models, AnimalDisease ProgressionExtracellular MatrixGene Expression ProfilingHumansInflammationMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMiddle AgedPancreatic ElastaseTissue Adhesivesaneurysmaortaarterial stiffnessstress, mechanicalvascular remodeling

Identifiers

PMID25904646
PMCPMC4439288
OpenAlexW2114317863

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.