Aortic dilatation with bicuspid aortic valves: cusp fusion correlates to matrix metalloproteinases and inhibitors.

Publication/Presentation Date

2-1-2012

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Congenital bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs) result from fusion of 2 valve cusps, resulting in left-noncoronary (L-N), right-left (R-L), and right-noncoronary (R-N) morphologic presentations. BAVs predispose to ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAAs). This study hypothesized that ATAAs with each BAV morphologic group possess unique signatures of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and endogenous tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs).

METHODS: Ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm tissue from 46 patients with BAVs was examined for MMP/TIMP abundance, and global MMP activity was compared with normal aortic specimens (n=15). Proteolytic balance was calculated as the ratio of MMP abundance to a composite TIMP score. Results were stratified by valve morphologic group (L-N [n=6], R-L [n=31], and R-N [n=9]).

RESULTS: The BAV specimens (p

CONCLUSIONS: Each BAV morphologic group possesses a unique signature of MMPs and TIMPs. MMP/TIMP score ratios suggest that the R-L group may be more aggressive, justifying earlier surgical intervention.

Volume

93

Issue

2

First Page

457

Last Page

463

ISSN

1552-6259

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

22206960

Department(s)

Department of Surgery

Document Type

Article

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