Activated forms of MMP2 and MMP9 in abdominal aortic aneurysms.

in Journal of Vascular Surgery (1996), 24(1), 127-33

PURPOSE: This consistent observation of a reduction of the elastin concentration in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has led us to investigate in AAA specimens two metalloproteinases that display ... [more ▼]

PURPOSE: This consistent observation of a reduction of the elastin concentration in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has led us to investigate in AAA specimens two metalloproteinases that display elastase activity, MMP2 (gelatinase A/72kDa) and MMP9 (gelatinase B/92 kDa). METHODS: Samples of full-thickness aortic wall, adherent thrombus, and serum were collected in 10 patients with AAAs. Samples of normal aortic wall and serum were taken from 6 age-matched control patients. Quantitative gelatin-zymography and gelatinolytic soluble assays after acetyl-phenyl mercuric acid activation were performed on serum and tissue extracts, and the results were expressed in units on a comparative wet-weight basis. Histologic analysis was performed in parallel to score the inflammatory infiltrate. RESULTS: The luminal and parietal parts of the thrombus contained, respectively, 20- and 10-fold more gelantinolytic activity than the serum. The predominate form was MMP9. Although the total gelatinolytic activity was in the same range both in AAAs and in normal walls, a significantly higher proportion of MMP9 was found in the aneurysmal aortic walls. Furthermore, a significant proportion of MMP9 was under its processed active form, which was never observed in normal samples. A significantly higher proportion of MMP2 was also present as processed active form in AAA wall. This latter parameter positively correlated with the inflammatory score. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of activated MMP9 and MMP2 might contribute to the degradation of the extracellular matrix proteins that occurs during the development of aneurysms. [less ▲]

Une cause parfois meconnue de lesions vasculaires: la maladie de Behcet.

in Revue Médicale de Liège (1996), 51(10), 639-46

Saphenous vein patch (SVP) is superior to direct closure (DC) for long-term patency of carotid endarterectomy (CEA)

in Cardiovascular Surgery (1995, September), 3(Suppl. 1), 44

Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta: familial and genetic aspects in three hundred thirteen pedigrees.

in Journal of Vascular Surgery (1995), 21(4), 646-55

PURPOSE: Familial clustering of abdominal aortic aneurysm was first noticed in 1977. METHODS: Through questionnaire and phone inquiry, familial data on 324 probands with abdominal aortic aneurysms allowed ... [more ▼]

PURPOSE: Familial clustering of abdominal aortic aneurysm was first noticed in 1977. METHODS: Through questionnaire and phone inquiry, familial data on 324 probands with abdominal aortic aneurysms allowed the establishment of 313 multigenerational pedigrees including 39 with multiple affected patients. RESULTS: There were 276 sporadic cases (264 men, 12 women); 81 cases belonged to multiplex pedigrees (76 men; 5 women). We compared familial and sporadic male cases; the ages at diagnosis were 64.1 +/- 7.9 years and 66.0 +/- 7.3 years (p < 0.05), respectively, the ages at rupture were 65.4 +/- 6.6 years and 75.2 +/- 8.6 years (p < 0.001), and the rupture rate was 32.4% and 8.7% (p < 0.001). Survival curves were computed. Relative risk for male siblings of a male patient was 18. We performed a segregation analysis with the mixed model, the most likely explanation for occurrence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in our families was a single gene effect showing dominant inheritance. The frequency of the morbid allele was 1:250, and its age-related penetrance was not higher than 0.4. CONCLUSION: This analysis indicates the preeminence of genetic factors on multifactorial/environmental effects of the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm. [less ▲]

Isolated Atherosclerotic Aneurysms of the Iliac Arteries

in Annals of Vascular Surgery (1995), 9(Suppl), 62-6

Atherosclerotic aneurysms limited to the iliac arteries are rare and entail a high risk of rupture. To evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic surgery, we retrospectively studied 15 patients (13 men and two ... [more ▼]

Atherosclerotic aneurysms limited to the iliac arteries are rare and entail a high risk of rupture. To evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic surgery, we retrospectively studied 15 patients (13 men and two women; mean age 69 years) treated for isolated iliac aneurysms in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the University Hospital of Liege over a period of 18 years. They had a total of 25 aneurysms (20 common iliac and five internal iliac). Six patients were treated electively and nine on an emergency basis for rupture. Five of the emergency patients (33%) died in the early postoperative period (< 30 days); in each case the aneurysm had ruptured and an emergency operation was performed (55.5% mortality in the ruptured iliac aneurysm group). On the other hand, all patients treated electively survived. Our study is comparable to other recent series in the literature, which also reported a high incidence of rupture and death in emergency operations. Prophylactic elective surgery is recommended for iliac aneurysms. [less ▲]

"Contribution à la détermination de l’épidémiologie et de l'histoire naturelle des anévrysmes de l'aorte abdominale.”

Doctoral thesis (1994)

Modifications of the extracellular matrix of aneurysmal abdominal aortas as a function of their size.

in European Journal of Vascular Surgery (1993), 7(6), 633-7

Collagen and elastin are the main extracellular matrix proteins providing the aortic wall with adequate mechanical properties and resistance for proper function. Our study aimed at investigating the ... [more ▼]

Collagen and elastin are the main extracellular matrix proteins providing the aortic wall with adequate mechanical properties and resistance for proper function. Our study aimed at investigating the relationship between the elastin concentration of the wall of normal and aneurysmal abdominal aortas (AAA), the collagen concentration, and its extractability, as a function of their size. Infrarenal aortas were collected from 30 patients undergoing operative repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Age-matched control samples were obtained from eight autopsies of individuals without vascular disease. Samples were divided into five groups according to the aortic diameter: control group (group N, n = 8); < 50 mm (group I, n = 6; between 50-75 mm (group II, n = 10); > 75 mm (group III, n = 7); and ruptured (group IV, n = 7). The collagen concentration in samples from group I was similar to the controls. An increased collagen concentration was observed in group II and remained at the same level in the largest and ruptured aneurysms. Extractability of collagen was found to be increased in group III and was even higher in group IV. A highly significant reduction in elastin concentration was observed in group I and there was progressive reduction with increasing diameter and rupture. A significant correlation could be established between aortic diameter, increased collagen extractability and decreased elastin content. [less ▲]

Right Aortic Arch with Aberrant Left Subclavian Artery. Report of Two Cases

in Surgical &Radiologic Anatomy [=SRA] (1991), 13(4), 327-31

Two cases of adult asymptomatic right aortic arch with an aberrant subclavian artery are reported. They were discovered at time of coronary surgery. Preoperative coronary arteriography failed to ... [more ▼]

Two cases of adult asymptomatic right aortic arch with an aberrant subclavian artery are reported. They were discovered at time of coronary surgery. Preoperative coronary arteriography failed to demonstrate the anomalies. In one case, the right arch was suspected on chest x-ray and preoperative barium oesophagography. In one case, the proximal suture of one saphenous bypass graft was performed on the left common carotid artery. Right aortic arch is a malformation rarely discovered in adults. It generally produces no symptoms when not associated with cardiac disease. [less ▲]

Taux de croissance et incidence de rupture des anévrysmes de l'aorte abdominale.

in Les anévrysmes de l'aorte abdominale sous-rénale (1990)