Prognosis of abdominal aortic aneurysms: a population-based study

Article Abstract:

An aneurysm is a widening or dilatation in a blood vessel. The aorta is a major artery that carries blood from the heart to the lower half of the body; it passes through the abdomen where it is called the abdominal aorta. Aneurysms are susceptible to rupturing, but it is not known how fast they expand or specifically how their size affects their chance of rupturing. If an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures it causes a life-threatening condition. In one town, 370 people were diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysms between 1951 and 1984. Of these patients, 181 had their aneurysm documented by an ultrasound imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves to generate images of the interior of the body. Among 103 patients who underwent more than one ultrasound examination, the diameter of the abdominal aortic aneurysm increased at an average rate of 0.21 centimeters (cm) per year. Almost 25 percent of the aneurysms increased by more than 0.4 cm per year. Among the 176 patients with unruptured aneurysms at the time of their initial ultrasound study, the cumulative risk of rupture was 6 percent after 5 years, and 8 percent after 10 years. There was no calculated 5-year risk of rupture among the 130 patients whose abdominal aortic aneurysms were less than 5 cm in diameter. There was a 25 percent risk of rupture at five years for the 46 patients whose aneurysms were over 5 cm. These results contradict the notion that aneurysms usually expand at a rate of 0.4 to 0.5 cm per year. These results also suggest that the risk of rupture of aneurysms less than 5 cm in diameter is much less than previously thought. However, the risk of rupture remains high for patients whose abdominal aortic aneurysms are 5 cm or more in diameter. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Mortality, Statistics, Prognosis, Aneurysms, Aneurysm

---

A randomized trial comparing conventional and end vascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Article Abstract:

A report on a multimember, randomized trail comparing open repair with end vascular repair in 345 patients who had received a diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm of at least 5cm in diameter and who were considered suitable candidates for both techniques is presented. It is concluded that end vascular repair is preferable to open repair in patients who have an abdominal aortic aneurysm that is at least 5 cm in diameter.

Diagnosis, Patients

---

Regression of aortic aneurysms through pharmacologic therapy

Article Abstract:

A study is presented that implicates the transcription factor jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), along with matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), as critical mediators of the degradation of the elastin and collagen fibers in two mouse models of aortic aneurysm. The findings suggest that a localized imbalance in the homeostasis of the extracellular matrix might be responsible for aortic aneurysm rupture.

England, Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Antenatal diagnosis of sacral agenesis syndrome in a pregnancy complicated by diabetes mellitus. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Does it recur in subsequent pregnancy?
• Abstracts: Seasonal trends in US asthma hospitalizations and mortality
• Abstracts: Addition of verapamil and tamoxifen to the initial chemotherapy of small cell lung cancer: a phase I/II study
• Abstracts: Effects of low dose corticosteroids on bone mass in rheumatoid arthritis: a longtitudinal study. Reduced bone formation in non-steroid treated patients with rheumatoid arthritis
• Abstracts: Phencyclidine pharmacokinetics after a massive overdose. Acute Heroin Overdose. Effects of the antacids in didanosine tablets on dapsone pharmacokinetics

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.