Adult ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; complications ; pathology ; Anterior Wall Myocardial Infarction ; etiology ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; complications ; Humans ; Male

Intrathoracic segment of the subclavian artery is an unusual location for peripheral arterial aneurysms. They are normally caused by atherosclerosis, medial degeneration, trauma, and infection. We report a case of a patient with right subclavian artery aneurysm presenting with hoarseness. Chest radiograph demonstrated a superior mediastinal mass. Laryngoscopy showed a fixed right vocal cord. By chest computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography, preoperative diagnosis was established as a saccular aneurysm with afferent loop and efferent loop. Patient underwent complete resection of the aneurysm followed by endto-end anastomosis via median sternotomy. Postoperative pathology was consistent with an atherosclerotic aneurysm filled with thrombus. After surgical operation, hoarseness is still continued.
Aged ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/complications/*pathology ; Female ; Hoarseness/etiology/*pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods ; Subclavian Artery/*pathology/radiography

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the morphological features and forensic pathological characteristics of cardiac ruptures of different causes for their differential diagnosis. METHODS: We analyzed the data of 44 autopsy cases of cardiac rupture from 2014 to 2017 in our institute, including 11 cases caused by blunt violence with intact pericardium, 4 caused by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), 9 by myocardial infarction, and 20 by aorta dissection rupture.The gross features and histopathological characteristics of cardiac rupture and pericardial effusion were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Cardiac ruptures caused by blunt violence varied in both morphology and locations, and multiple ruptures could be found, often accompanied with rib or sternum fractures; the volume of pericardial effusion was variable in a wide range; microscopically, hemorrhage and contraction band necrosis could be observed in the cardiac tissue surrounding the rupture.Cardiac ruptures caused by CPR occurred typically near the apex of the right ventricular anterior wall, and the laceration was often parallel to the interventricular septum with frequent rib and sternum fractures; the volume of pericardial blood was small without blood clots; microscopic examination only revealed a few hemorrhages around the ruptured cardiac muscular fibers.Cardiac ruptures due to myocardial infarction caused massive pericardial blood with blood clots, and the blood volume was significantly greater than that found in cases of CPR-induced cardiac rupture ( < 0.05);lacerations were confined in the left ventricular anterior wall, and the microscopic findings included myocardial necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and mural thrombus.Cardiac tamponade resulting from aorta dissection rupture was featured by massive pericardial blood with blood clots, and the blood volume was much greater than that in cases of cardiac ruptures caused by blunt violence, myocardial infarction and CPR ( < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and lateral thrombi around the cardiac rupture, along with pericardial blood clots, are all evidences of antemortem injuries.
Aneurysm, Dissecting ; complications ; Aortic Aneurysm ; complications ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; adverse effects ; Forensic Pathology ; Heart Rupture ; etiology ; pathology ; Heart Rupture, Post-Infarction ; pathology ; Humans ; Myocardial Contusions ; complications

The rupture of an acute dissection of the ascending aorta into the space surrounding the pulmonary artery is an uncommon occurrence. No previous cases of transient pulmonary hypertension caused by a hematoma surrounding the pulmonary artery have been documented in the literature. Herein, we report a case of acute aortic dissection presenting as secondary pulmonary hypertension.
Aortic Aneurysm/*complications/diagnosis ; Aortic Rupture/*complications/diagnosis ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Female ; Hematoma/*complications ; Human ; Hypertension, Pulmonary/*etiology ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Artery/pathology/radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUNDNitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator in the pathophysiology of many vascular diseases. However, the definite role of NO in human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate production of NO and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and their possible role in AAA.

METHODSA total of 28 patients with AAA, 10 healthy controls, and 8 patients with arterial occlusive disease were enrolled into this study. Standard colorimetric assay was used to examine NO concentration in plasma from patients with AAA and normal controls, and in cultured smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Expression of iNOS in aortas and cultured SMCs were detected by immunochemistry. The correlation of iNOS expression with age of the patient, size of aneurysm, and degree of inflammation was also investigated by Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel chi2 test and Kendall' Tau correlation.

RESULTSExpression of iNOS increased significantly in the wall of aneurism in the patients with AAA compared to the healthy controls (P < 0.05) and the patients with occlusive arteries (P < 0.05). iNOS protein and media NOx (nitrite + nitrate) also increased in cultured SMCs from human AAA (n = 4, P < 0.05), while plasma NOx decreased in patients with AAA (n = 25) compared to the healthy controls (n = 20). There was a positive correlation between iNOS protein and degree of inflammation in aneurismal wall (Kendall coefficient = 0.5032, P = 0.0029).

CONCLUSIONSSMCs and inflammatory cells were main cellular sources of increased iNOS in AAA, and NO may play a part in pathogenesis in AAA through inflammation.

Adult ; Aged ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; etiology ; Apoptosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; pathology ; Nitric Oxide ; physiology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; analysis ; physiology

Ten cases of post-inflammatory aneurysm of the thoracic aorta were studied morphologically using aortic wall and aortic valve tissue resected during the surgical repair of the lesions. Four cases of aortic aneurysm in Behcet's disease showed massive perivascular infiltration of the lymphocytes and plasma cells in adventitia and vasa vasorum. Fibrous obliteration of the vasa vasorum was seen, and neutrophilic infiltration was also associated in two cases with recurrent prosthetic valve failure. Three cases of aortic aneurysm associated with Takayasu's arteritis showed similar histologic features, but giant cells and histiocytic reactions were additional findings. Plasma cell infiltration was more pronounced compared to the Behcet's aortitis. One case of luetic aortitis showed a non-specific chronic inflammatory reaction with florid endothelial cell proliferation. One case of ankylosing spondylitis showed fibrous thickening at the periannular portion of the aortic valve cusps, but this finding was also seen in an aortic valve of a patient with Behcet's disease. One case without any disease association showed similar features of chronic inflammation with granuloma formation. The findings suggest that they have similar histologic features indistinguishable in terms of the clinical disease association, but a granulomatous reaction could be expected in Takayasu's arteritis.
Adult ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Aneurysm/*etiology/pathology ; Aortitis/*complications/pathology ; Behcet Syndrome/complications/pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing/complications/pathology ; Syphilis/complications/pathology ; Takayasu Arteritis/complications/pathology

We investigated tissue responses to endoskeleton stent grafts for saccular abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in canines. Saccular AAAs were made with Dacron patch in 8 dogs, and were excluded by endoskeleton stent grafts composed of nitinol stent and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft. Animals were sacrificed at 2 months (Group 1; n = 3) or 6 months (Group 2; n = 5) after the placement, respectively. The aortas embedding stent grafts were excised en bloc for gross inspection and sliced at 5 to 8 mm intervals for histopathologic evaluation. Stent grafts were patent in all except a dog showing a thrombotic occlusion in Group 2. In the 7 dogs with patent lumen, the graft overhanging the saccular aneurysm was covered by thick or thin thrombi with no endothelial layer, and the graft over the aortic wall was completely covered by neointima with an endothelial layer. Transgraft cell migration was less active at an aneurysm than at adjacent normal aorta. In conclusion, endoskeleton stent grafts over saccular aneurysms show no endothelial coverage and poor transgraft cell migration in a canine model.
Alloys/chemistry ; Angiography ; Animals ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/*pathology/surgery/ultrasonography ; Cell Movement ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Endothelial Cells/cytology ; Neointima/etiology ; Polytetrafluoroethylene/chemistry ; *Stents ; Thrombosis/etiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha and related genes in abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA) and explore the underlying pathogenesis.

METHODSTwenty-two AAA specimens were collected and 5 normal abdominal aorta tissue were used as control. Northern blot, western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluated the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA and protein product. Western blot and immunohistochemistry method were also used to determine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and caspase-3. Microvessel density (MVD) was studied by immunohistochemistry stain of CD34.

RESULTSThe expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA and protein product were significantly higher in AAA than that in normal abdominal aorta (P < 0.01). The expression of VEGF and caspase-3 were also higher in AAA and both had a significantly positive relationship with HIF-1alpha expression (P < 0.01). Most of the positive cells located in VSMC and adventitia of AAA. The MVD counts were higher in AAA.

CONCLUSIONHIF-1alpha may have an important role the development of AAA, which maybe obtained by regulating the expression of VEGF or caspase-3.

Aged ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; etiology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; Caspases ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis

Gastrointestinal complications (GI) after thoracoabdominal aortic repair can be classified as biliary disease, heptic dysfunction, pancreatitis, GI bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, bowel ischemia, paralytic ileus, and aortoenteric fistula. Theses complications are associated with high post operative morbidity and mortality. Most of the aortoenteric fistulae after thoracoabdominal aortic surgery are found at the duodenum, near the surgical site. These rare complications are caused by an indirect communication with abdominal aorta that originated from an aneursymal formation ruptured into the duodenum. Such aorto-duodenal fistula formation is considered as a result of inflammatory change from secondary infection near the surgical instruments. Herein, we report two cases of massive upper GI bleeding from aorto-duodenal fistulae and spontaneous lower GI perforation related to cytomegalovirus infection after abdominal aortic aneurysmal repair operations.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aorta, Abdominal/*surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/complications/*surgery ; Aortic Diseases/*diagnosis/surgery/virology ; Cytomegalovirus Infections/*complications/diagnosis/pathology ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula/*diagnosis/surgery/virology ; Intestinal Perforation/*diagnosis/virology ; Male ; Vascular Fistula/*diagnosis/surgery/virology

Gastrointestinal complications (GI) after thoracoabdominal aortic repair can be classified as biliary disease, heptic dysfunction, pancreatitis, GI bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, bowel ischemia, paralytic ileus, and aortoenteric fistula. Theses complications are associated with high post operative morbidity and mortality. Most of the aortoenteric fistulae after thoracoabdominal aortic surgery are found at the duodenum, near the surgical site. These rare complications are caused by an indirect communication with abdominal aorta that originated from an aneursymal formation ruptured into the duodenum. Such aorto-duodenal fistula formation is considered as a result of inflammatory change from secondary infection near the surgical instruments. Herein, we report two cases of massive upper GI bleeding from aorto-duodenal fistulae and spontaneous lower GI perforation related to cytomegalovirus infection after abdominal aortic aneurysmal repair operations.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aorta, Abdominal/*surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/complications/*surgery ; Aortic Diseases/*diagnosis/surgery/virology ; Cytomegalovirus Infections/*complications/diagnosis/pathology ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula/*diagnosis/surgery/virology ; Intestinal Perforation/*diagnosis/virology ; Male ; Vascular Fistula/*diagnosis/surgery/virology