Analysis of clinical, tomographic, biomechanical and histological aspects of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms and popliteal artery aneurysms

• Grant number: 21/02193-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2022
• End date: February 29, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Erasmo Simão da Silva
• Grantee: Erasmo Simão da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Alexandre Malta Brandao ; Marcos Vinicius Melo de Oliveira

Abstract

The mechanisms involved in the etiology, expansion and rupture of aneurysms are still poorly understood. One of the ways to understand the pathophysiology of this disease is the comparative analysis of aneurysms in different anatomical territories. This comparison involves clinical, diagnostic imaging, histological and biomechanical aspects. Objective: The objective of the study is to determine the biomechanical behavior of abdominal aortic aneurysms and popliteal artery aneurysms and to associate these characteristics with the histological analysis of the fragments of these aneurysms, with emphasis on the presence and appearance of perivascular adipose tissue. Methods: It will be composed four groups of patients to compare clinical, tomographic, biomechanical and histological aspects. The first group (AAA group) will consist of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms whose samples of the anterior wall tissue of the AAA were obtained from open surgeries. The second group will consist of patients without aortic aneurysms whose tissue fragments of aorta will be collected during organ harvesting (kidney donor patients) or during necropsy. The fourth group will consist of patients with non-aneurysmal popliteal arteries, whose fragments will be collected during amputation surgery of the limbs for non-aneurysmal causes. The clinical data and imaging exams of the patients will be stored and compared. The fragments of arterial tissue will be subjected to histological, immunohistochemical and destructive biomechanical tests. Expected results: Establishing the differences between the clinical, tomographic, histological and biomechanical components of aortic and popliteal artery aneurysms, it is expected to add some knowledge that explains the onset and evolution of these arterial dilations. (AU)