Aortic Aneurysm: Insight into Potential Therapeutic Agents against the Disease

Chika Mbah, J.

Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

Dr. Chika Mbah, J., Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Keywords: Aortic Aneurysm; Potential Therapeutic Agents

Abstract

An aneurysm is localized dilatation of larger blood vessels as a result of regional weakening of the wall structure. Aortic aneurysm is an irreversible dilation of the aorta involving all the three wall layers: the inner elastic layer or intima, the middle or subendothelial connective tissue layer, and the external layer or adventitia. Aortic aneurysm is classified into abdominal or thoracic aortic aneurysm.
The risk factors are atherosclerosis (hardened arteries), high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and smoking. Prophylactic surgical repair is the current management of aortic aneurysms. Potential therapeutic agents that stop or reduce aortic aneurysm progression have been investigated. Their biological effects depend on stabilization of growing aortic aneurysms, intervention on the pathway of the activated inflammatory and proteolytic processes that tend to enlarge aortic aneurysms.

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