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). However, the mechanisms for these male-female differences in TAA outcome remain unclear. The timing of preventive surgery is 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 beneficial for outcome.

The current research project aims to implement male-female specific insights into aortic root and ascending aorta characteristics into clinical practice, allowing better identification of high risk Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA) patients and better timing of intervention. With this study the investigators aim to obtain insight into male-female differences in the immunohistological and biomechanical properties of the thoracic aortic wall. In order to reveal possible mechanisms for male-female differences in TAA.