Critical challenges in the assessment of aortic aneurysms are: (1) Availability of reliable animal models that simulate the human pathology, (2) Availability of molecular imaging resources – identification of biomarkers, development of targeted imaging probes and pre-clinical imaging methods, and plasma markers that predict whether an aneurysm is prone to rupture or dissection, (3) Bringing together a wide array of multi-disciplinary... more »

The mechanical events in the wall leading to aortic dissection are not well described because merely stating that cellular or biopolymer connections have weakened does not predict the path of the rupture through the media or the risk of rupture. Elucidate the mechanical role of substructures such as collagen fibers, elastin sheets, smooth muscle cells and interstitial fluid in the progression of dissection. Study in animal... more »