Why does reduced elastin production during aging increase the risk of aortic dissection, rather than aortic aneurysm?

💡 Explanation

Reduced elastin impairs the aorta's ability to recoil after the systolic pressure wave, therefore increasing stress on the medial layer and raising the risk of dissection rather than an aneurysm, because aneurysms typically involve gradual dilation rather than acute tearing.

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