Aneurysm

, where they can cause a stroke, or those of the aorta, which can lead to fatal bleeding within minutes.

Even if it does not undergo a tragic rupture, a large aneurysm can prevent proper blood circulation and promote the formation of blood clots or thrombi.

Aneurysms are often caused by a chronic increase in blood pressure, but any trauma or pathology that weakens the vessel wall can be responsible for their onset. Some aortic aneurysms are attributable to hereditary diseases, such as Marfan syndrome, an alteration that makes connective tissues weaker (due to the FBN1 gene mutation for fibrillin 1). Furthermore, it should be remembered that, as we age, the vessel walls tend to become less elastic and more subject to dilation.

Symptoms associated with an aneurysm are particularly few and diagnosis is often accidental. Treatment and prognosis vary with the location and size of the aneurysm. Some people are more susceptible to developing these abnormal dilations; therefore, the best strategy is to identify those at risk to take necessary preventive measures.

or of the heart, which is produced as a consequence of a weakening, caused by a trauma or a "pathological alteration.

Arterial aneurysms manifest themselves as pulsating dilations of the vessel, generally associated with arteriosclerosis (degenerative etiology) or inflammatory processes (following an infectious or vascular disease). Other forms, which mainly concern the cerebral arteries, are caused by congenital weakness or hereditary of the arterial wall (due to a minor development of the medial vein of the vessel).

they can be responsible.
The main causes of an aneurysm are:

1. A congenital weakness of the muscularis of the arterial wall:
   • Destruction of the elastic or muscular component of the middle tunic.
   • Genetic predisposition:
     • Production of modified collagen, unable to tolerate pressure or degenerative insults (Marfan syndrome);
     • Altered balance between metalloproteases (MMPs) - capable of degrading the components of the extracellular matrix (collagen, elastin, proteoglycans, elastin, laminin, etc.) - and their inhibitors (TIMP).
2. Trauma suffered by the blood vessel (insertion of prostheses, thoracic trauma, post-infarct lacerations, etc.);
3. Vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, vasculitis, syphilis or other infections.

;

Atherosclerotic disease;

Hypercholesterolemia (high levels of cholesterol in the blood);

Cigarette smoke;

Obesity;

Male sex;

Over 60 years of age;

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;

Pregnancy (often linked to the formation and rupture of splenic artery aneurysms).

);

Brain: cerebral arteries (cerebral aneurysm);

Arteries of the limbs: leg, at the knee (aneurysm of the popliteal artery);

Visceral arteries: intestine (mesenteric artery aneurysm) and spleen (splenic artery aneurysm).

) tend to occur in men over the age of 60. Most aortic aneurysms are caused by atherosclerosis, a condition that can weaken the walls of the blood vessel, causing degeneration and dilation of the affected areas.