2022
mTOR inhibition prevents angiotensin II–induced aortic rupture and pseudoaneurysm but promotes dissection in Apoe-deficient mice
He C, Jiang B, Wang M, Ren P, Murtada SI, Caulk AW, Li G, Qin L, Assi R, Lovoulos CJ, Schwartz MA, Humphrey JD, Tellides G. mTOR inhibition prevents angiotensin II–induced aortic rupture and pseudoaneurysm but promotes dissection in Apoe-deficient mice. JCI Insight 2022, 7: e155815. PMID: 35132962, PMCID: PMC8855820, DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.155815.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsApoE-deficient miceAngiotensin IIVascular wall cellsAortic tearAortic ruptureMTOR inhibitionSmooth muscle cell hypertrophyMatricellular proteinWall cellsSuprarenal abdominal aortaMuscle cell hypertrophyExtracellular matrix accumulationInhibition of mTORRole of mTORSubadventitial hematomaFree ruptureAortic dissectionAortic diseaseAortic aneurysmSignificant dissectionAbdominal aortaHemorrhagic lesionsExtensive dissectionMetalloproteinase expressionCell hypertrophy
2018
Techniques and outcomes of secondary open repair for chronic dissection after acute repair of type A aortic dissection.
Assi R, Bavaria JE, Desai ND. Techniques and outcomes of secondary open repair for chronic dissection after acute repair of type A aortic dissection. The Journal Of Cardiovascular Surgery 2018, 59: 759-766. PMID: 29943963, DOI: 10.23736/s0021-9509.18.10646-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAortic dissectionSecondary open repairThoraco-abdominal aortaDistal false lumenRisk of ruptureAcute TAADChronic dissectionAcceptable morbidityAcute typeAcute repairPrimary tearDistal aortaOpen repairAneurysmal dilatationFalse lumenDistal reoperationExperienced handsIndex operationProgressive degenerationSuccessful repairAortaDissectionHybrid procedureRepairReoperation
2015
Advanced age and disease predict lack of symptomatic improvement after endovascular iliac treatment in male veterans.
Assi R, Brownson KE, Hall MR, Kuwahara G, Vasilas P, Dardik A. Advanced age and disease predict lack of symptomatic improvement after endovascular iliac treatment in male veterans. The Yale Journal Of Biology And Medicine 2015, 88: 85-91. PMID: 25745377, PMCID: PMC4345543.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCritical limb ischemiaFirst post-operative visitIliac artery occlusive diseaseArtery occlusive diseasePost-operative visitSymptomatic improvementLimb ischemiaStent placementOcclusive diseaseMale veteransVA Connecticut Healthcare SystemAnkle-brachial indexSuccessful endovascular procedureAdditional surgical interventionPatient-related factorsLong-term outcomesQuality of lifeIliac artery interventionsEndovascular angioplastyAngiographic successSecondary patencyDistal runoffArtery interventionSuccessful revascularizationEndovascular treatment