04.12.2012 Views

Acute Aortic Disease.. - Index of

Acute Aortic Disease.. - Index of

Acute Aortic Disease.. - Index of

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

172 Elefteriades<br />

DISCUSSION AND COMMENTARY<br />

Question for the Author<br />

Is not your schema speculative?<br />

Of course, you are correct, the schema we present for the causation and timing <strong>of</strong><br />

aortic dissection is an oversimplification, at least partially speculative. However,<br />

we believe that this schema best represents the available evidence.<br />

Specifically, there is no longer room for doubt about the genetic origin <strong>of</strong><br />

many, if not most, thoracic and abdominal aneurysms. While pointing to the MMPs<br />

as the effector <strong>of</strong> the genetically-programmed aortic destruction is an oversimplification<br />

(see Chapter 17), the MMPs clearly play a major role. We have little doubt<br />

about the importance <strong>of</strong> physical stress in bringing on an aortic dissection—as<br />

evidenced in our reports <strong>of</strong> exercise-induced aortic dissection. <strong>Acute</strong> hypertension<br />

makes great sense as the culprit in cases <strong>of</strong> extreme physical exertion. That blood<br />

pressure rises astronomically with weight lifting is not disputable. We were<br />

surprised to see just how large a proportion <strong>of</strong> patients and families interviewed<br />

reported extreme emotional stress at the moment <strong>of</strong> onset <strong>of</strong> dissection pain. We<br />

believe it is reasonable to speculate that severe hypertension accompanied these<br />

episodes <strong>of</strong> extreme emotional stress.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!