Pathophysiology risk factors -aortic aneurysms

(JACC 2020:76:201 & 2021;78:201)

• Medial degen and/or ↑ wall stress; wall stress ∝ [(∆P × r) / (wall thickness)] (Laplace’s law)
• TAA: medial degeneration (muscle apoptosis, elastin fiber weakening); a/w CTD, aortitis
• AAA: long-standing HTN + athero/inflammation → medial weakening
• Clinical risk factors: HTN, athero, smoking, age, ♂, presence of other aortic dilation
• CTD (Marfan, Ehlers-Danlos type IV, Loeys-Dietz); congenital (bicuspid AoV, Turner’s) aortitis
  • Takayasu’s GCA, spondyloarthritis, IgG4
  • infection (eg, 👉 Syphilitic aortitis); FQ; trauma