Aneurysm induced by periarterial application of elastase heals spontaneously.

Abstract

Aortic walls also returned to the pre-elastase application thickness and some mature medial elastic lamellae showed regeneration. Medial smooth muscle cells reverted to the contractile type. Aortic dilatation induced by peri-aortic application of elastase heals spontaneously, accompanied by regeneration of smooth muscle cells. Irreversible degeneration of medial smooth muscle cells appears to be more critical to aneurysm formation than degeneration of elastic lamellae.