Aneurysmal dilation is most common in the aorta, distal to the kidney
vessels and proximal the iliac artery bifurcation. It is much more frequent in males than
in females. It most commonly develops in middle aged and geriatric patients, patients
with chronic HT, atherosclerosis, smoking history, and those with a genetic propensity
for AAA, although none of this is an absolute rule.
The width of the aorta varies depending on the race, body area, gender and age, and the
average aortic diameter is between 2.5 and 3.7 cm in general. Aortic diameter
measuring 50% more (1.5 times) than expected is considered an aneurysm. If the
diameter of the aorta is > 5 cm, the possibility of rupture increases and requires surgical
intervention. In the abdominal aorta, which is generally located infrarenal,> 30 mm for
both sexes is described as AAA.
In recent years, the term “Acute Aortic Syndrome” has also been used for all aortic
emergencies. Signs and symptoms of AAA varies with the patient’s physiologic
reserves, age and the extent of the disease with resultant organ damage (Table 1).
Keywords: Abdominal aortic aneurysm, Aortic diseases, Dissecting aortic
aneurysm, Hypertension, Management.
