Chapters authored
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Malignancies
Concomitant AAA and abdominal malignancy are always very complicated conditions requiring early management of both pathologies. This is undoubtedly a dilemma for a surgeon who cannot currently rely on any large randomized trials or mandatory guidelines. When making decisions, a surgeon most often relies on personal experience, the experience of his/her center and/or limited literary guidelines and recommendations. Efforts should be aimed at achieving a consensual multidisciplinary decision about which pathology requires “more acute” management. The decision-making process is easier if one of the pathologies is life-threatening, and such pathology should be managed first. In most cases, however, AAA is asymptomatic and a malignancy is found randomly, as a secondary finding during the follow-up of AAA patients, or vice versa, AAA is found randomly during the staging of cancer patients. In these cases, the therapeutic algorithm already admits several possible variants. Endovascular repair of AAA (EVAR) resulted in an absolute change in the management of these patients. EVAR can be used in simultaneous or stage procedures with minimal time delay. Also, surgical open resection is an option (simultaneously or staged). It is necessary to know the advantages and risks of all approaches.
Part of the book: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Experiment and Animal Models of AAA
Introduction: The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms has been increasing throughout the world. The etiology and pathophysiology of this disease are very complicated and complex and include biomechanical aspects as well as biological processes. The effect of these mechanisms is the degradation of the aortic wall, which leads to its dilation and rupture. The possibilities for studying such complex pathophysiology in humans are very limited. That is why we use various mathematical models and a number of different animal models of aneurysm. Methods: A summary of the basic characteristics, findings and examples of using the most widely used animal models of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Information has been obtained from our own experience with laboratory animals and from studies published and available on the Pubmed Internet database. The following search terms were used: aneurysm, aorta, animal model and experiment. Conclusion: Animal models of aortic aneurysms are a usable and useful tool in the study of AAA etiopathogenesis. They also serve as a means to find novel therapeutic pathways. Each model, like any animal species, is different and has its own limitations, advantages and disadvantages, which we should always consider during their use and while interpreting the results.
Part of the book: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm