Male-female Differences in Immunohistological and Biomechanical Properties of the Thoracic Aorta

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) result from progressive dilatation of the thoracic aorta and confer a risk for aortic dissection or rupture, which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In the Netherlands there are an estimated 200.000 adults with TAA, and annually 600 deaths after aortic dissection or rupture. There are clear differences in the incidence of TAA between men and women, with a higher incidence in men. Little is known on possible differences in outcome between male and female patients with Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA). Aortic disease is thought to affect men more frequently than women, and aortic growth is different between men and women. Current data suggest that women are at an increased risk of both dying from aortic dissection and having aorta-related complications compared to men (1). The mechanisms for these male-female difference in TAA outcome remain, however, unclear. The timing of preventive surgery is now not different for men and women, but gender-based cut-off values for maximal aortic diameter based on differences in vessel wall composition might be needed.

Inclusion Criteria:Adult patients (≥ 18 years old) who have a thoracic aortic aneurysm and are scheduled for elective thoracic aortic surgery in the Erasmus MC or the LUMC.Exclusion Criteria:Patients with a known connective tissue disease (e.g. Marfan Syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes).Connective tissue disease,