Vascular diseases such as aneurysm and aortic dissection account for almost 16,000 deaths in the United States annually. In both of these diseases vascular inflammation is a common pathogenic factor. Another common pathologic feature of vascular disease includes structural matrix remodeling. It is also increasingly believed that inflammation may play a key role in the formation and progression of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Angiotensin II (AngII), a potent vasopressor, is also a strong inducer of vascular inflammation and aortic remodeling in atherosclerosis-prone mice. Based on this knowledge studies have been conducted using subcutaneous AngII infusion in order to produce aortic remodeling and aneurysm formation, with acute thoracic and abdominal aortic dissections [1].

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