Molecular Pathogenesis and the Possible Role of Mitochondrial Heteroplasmy in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a life-threatening condition associated with high mortality, in which the aortic wall is deformed due to congenital or age-associated pathological changes. The mechanisms of TAA development remain to be studied in detail, and are the subject of active research. In this review, we describe the morphological changes of the aortic wall in TAA. We outline the genetic disorders associated with aortic enlargement and discuss the potential role of mitochondrial pathology, in particular mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy, in the disease pathogenesis.