Our research
Ascending aortic aneurysm affects thousands of individuals and can lead to acute aortic dissection or rupture, two life-threatening conditions associated with high mortality. Despite significant advances in research over recent years, the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease remain poorly understood, and clinical decisions regarding surveillance and surgical intervention are still based primarily on aortic diameter. This is problematic, as patients with similar aortic dimensions may have markedly different risks of developing severe complications.
Our research aims to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying the initiation and progression of ascending aortic aneurysms, with a particular focus on the interplay between genetic factors, vascular wall remodeling, and clinical phenotype. The work is supported by a unique biobank comprising more than 3,000 patients, in which biological samples, genetic data, and detailed long-term clinical follow-up are analyzed in an integrated manner.
By combining advanced genomics, molecular biology, and clinical research, we seek to identify early disease mechanisms, characterize genetic risk factors, and develop novel models for predicting disease progression. Ultimately, our goal is to understand why some patients experience rapidly progressive disease, while others remain stable for many years.