Aortic Function: From the Research Laboratory to the Clinic

Abstract

For many years, much of the pioneering research on aortic function was carried out by a small group of investigators frequently working away from the clinical environment in the research laboratory. The evaluation of aortic function using aortic pulse wave velocity, aortic distensibility, or other practical indices had yet to reach clinical threshold. It was necessary for the clinicians to take over and to apply these indices to the clinic. In this Odyssey, the work by the basic scientist was important to define the fundamental mechanisms of aortic function; however, it was the vision of the clinical investigator who recognized the importance of aortic function and introduced it into clinical practice. In the near future, the clinical investigator will introduce aortic function in daily clinical practice as the measurement of left ventricular function is used today. A close collaboration between the clinical and the basic investigator will be necessary in order to define the molecular mechanisms related to aortic wall synthesis and degradation of collagen and elastin. Application of these findings by the clinical investigator may help to delay or prevent aortic dysfunction related to aging or other conditions and diseases.

Divergent Roles of Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 in Pathogenesis of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

“…26,27 Given the differential ECM composition and histological characteristics of the thoracic versus abdominal aorta, 15 MMP2 could play regionally distinct roles in remodeling of the aorta.…”

“…Thoracic aorta consists of greater elastin lamellae layers and a greater elastin:collagen ratio that reverses in the abdominal aorta. 26,27 Given the differential ECM composition and histological characteristics of the thoracic versus abdominal aorta, 15 MMP2 could play regionally distinct roles in remodeling of the aorta.…”

Extracellular Matrix Remodelling and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

“…Structure of the aortic wall is a major determinant of its function. While the total amount of the main matrix proteins, collagen and elastin, is approximately the same throughout the aorta, thoracic aorta contains more elastin than collagen, whereas more collagen is present in the abdominal aorta than elastin [1,6]. Aortic wall is supplied with a rich network of innervations and vasa vasorum, small blood vessels that supply blood to the adventitia and the outer aortic wall.…”

“…Aorta, the largest artery in the body, does not merely serve as a conduit to distribute blood from the heart to the body, but plays important roles in multiple aspects of the cardiovascular system, including perfusion of the myocardium and the peripheral tissue, and arterial function [1]. During cardiac systole, aorta expands to store a large proportion of the left ventricular stroke volume while during diastole, recoil of the aortic wall pushes the stored blood forward and into the periphery.…”

Ascending Aortic Strain Analysis Using 2‐Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography Improves the Diagnostics for Coronary Artery Stenosis in Patients With Suspected Stable Angina Pectoris

“…Aorta influences the circulation in a global fashion by serving as a conduit and playing important roles in modulating left ventricular (LV) performance, myocardial perfusion, central hemodynamics, and arterial function throughout the entire cardiovascular system 17. The elastic properties of the aorta can be related to the degree of CAD 18.…”