Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Triplets

Abstract

We report the case of 3 male triplets, 2 of whom, both lifelong smokers, presented with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) within 24 hours of each other. One survived surgery but the other died from the rupture. The third brother, an ex-smoker, was found to have an ectatic aorta and was placed into a surveillance program. This case highlights and discusses the combination of genetic and environmental factors that underpin the etiology of aneurysms and demonstrates the importance of assessing first-degree relatives of patients presenting with AAA.