cardiovascular disorders
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA)
Etiology of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Etiology of abdominal aortic aneurysms is multifactorial but commonly involves a weakening of the arterial wall, usually by Atherosclerosis None Other causes include Trauma Cystic medial necrosis (degeneration of the aortic media) Postsurgical anastomotic disruption Vasculitis (eg, Takayasu Arteritis ) Uncommonly, syphilis and localized bacterial or fungal infection, typically due to sepsis or Infective Endocarditis , weaken the arterial wall and cause infected (mycotic) aneurysms. Risk factors for abdominal aortic aneurysms include Smoking (strongest risk factor) Hypertension None Older age (peak incidence at age 70 to 80 years) Family history (in 15 to 25%) Race (more common among White patients than among patients with African ancestry) Male sex Inherited connective tissue disorders (eg, Marfan Syndrome , 