Is elastase sufficient to induce experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms?
Induction of AAAs does not correlate with elastolytic activity. Infusion of pure elastase alone is not sufficient to induce AAA formation in spite of evidence of elastin degradation. Presumed inflammatory modifiers, which contaminate some elastase preparations, enhance AAA formation. Future use of this rat model will need to take the variability of elastase preparations into account with controls for each new elastase lot.
Reduced structural brain integrity is associated with poorer reported and simulated driving in persons with heart failure. Larger prospective studies that employ on-road testing are needed to clarify brain changes and risk for unsafe driving in heart failure.