Aneurysm Research
Current Research On Aneurysm
An aneurysm is a part of the blood vessel that is weak and has bulged as a result. Overtime this bulge tends to grow larger as blood flows through it. There are many types of the condition such as cerebral or intracranial, abdominal aortic and thoracic aneurysm. The type of aneurysm depends on the where in the body the bulge is located. Generally, aneurysms tend to develop where the artery divides, such as at forks or branches. When aneurysms reach the size of over an inch in diameter, these are known as Giant aneurysms. Aneurysms are quite uncommon in people who are under 20 years of age. They occur more frequently among older individuals, usually males aged 65 and over.
Aneurysm Research
Aneurysms are particularly fatal conditions because when ruptured, they can cause extensive bleeding. Many people who are rushed to the hospital due aneurysms that have burst die before reaching the emergency room. Although we have a bit of an understanding of why aneurysms occur, their symptoms often remain undetected until it is too late. People who have aneurysms are often unable to identify any sign or symptom until the enlarged areas have already ruptured. This fact leads scientists to try and find ways to diagnose, treat and prevent the condition more effectively.
Today scientists are continuing to research on ways to treat and prevent aneurysm with safer and more effective methods. Many findings have confirmed the basis for the fundamental understanding of aortic aneurysm and its natural history. Furthermore, prospective research is on its way to observe and analyze the utilization of new medical equipment such as stent-graft technology in repairing aneurysms of the abdominal and thoracic aorta. Laboratory research on aneurysms is aiming at comprehending bicuspid aortic valve disease and its link with ascending aortic aneurysms. Research today is holding family studies to find a connection with the inheritance of both aneurysm disease and bicuspid aortic valve disease.
New findings indicate abdominal aortic aneurysm will affect millions of baby boomers. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are observed to be a miltifactorial disease, entailing facets of autoimmunity, genetic vulnerabilities, and environmental factors such as smoking. Aneurysms are common but unfortunately not well understood. Current research often involves genetic risk factors, risk of rupture evaluations, new surgical processes, new pharmacological approaches, and new treatment options.
Present endeavors to limit the mortality from abdominal aortic aneurysm are based on the diagnosis and elective repair. There are over 300,000 undetected abdominal aortic aneurysms in the United States alone, nearly all of them being small and not needing prompt medical attention. Existing practice after the identification of a small abdominal aortic aneurysm includes risk factor handling and sequential monitoring.
While the pathophysiology of abdominal aortic aneurysm is not entirely explained, analyses from human tissues and animal studies have recognized several potential targets for slowing down aneurysm enlargement. It is apparent that the inflammatory response recognized in affected tissues has an influence on aortic enlargement. This inflammatory response is observed to be responsible for heightened expression of proteolytic enzymes. Medications such as tetracycline antibiotics and antihypertensive drugs are observed to have an inhibiting effect on proteolysis. There is sufficient preliminary information to support a large potential randomized trial of doxycycline to prevent the enlargement of aneurysms.
