Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm In Women Research Articles

Women Have a Lower Rate of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair and Higher Long-term Aortic-related Mortality Compared With Men in a Population-based Study

Increased mortality has been reported after open or endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in women. Our aim was to evaluate the natural history and outcomes of AAAs in women at a population level. A population-based cohort study was conducted (1980-2017) of all patients with AAA based on identification using International Classification of Diseases, 9th or 10th Revision and Current Procedural Terminology codes. The gender-specific incidences of AAAs were initially calculated. Medical records were reviewed to confirm diagnosis and identify late events and clinical reasons for opting against repair. Survival analysis for overall and aortic mortality was performed and stratified based on gender and repair status. There were 1537 patients with AAAs; 381 (25%) were female. The incidence of AAA in women was 4.5 times lower than men (23 vs 105 per 100,000 person-years). Compared with men, women were diagnosed at an older age (80 vs 73 years, P < .001), with smaller initial aneurysm size (4 vs 4.3 cm, P < .001). In 99 of 1537 patients, the initial presentation was with rupture (male:female; 79:20); 14 ruptured AAAs were <5.5 cm, 10 of 14 in women. Median follow-up was 18 years. AAA repair was less frequent in women (26% vs 41%, P < .001); with no change after availability of endovascular repair (16% vs 20%, P = .2), women had similar 30-day mortality from AAA repair (4% vs 5%, P = .5). However, on Kaplan-Meier analysis, aortic and all-cause mortality at 10 and 20 years were highest in women who did not undergo repair of their AAA (NRF, hazard ratio: 3, 95% confidence interval: 1.8-4.5, P < .001) as compared with all men and women who underwent repair (Table). This cumulative incidence of aortic-related death remained significantly higher in NRF when analyzed with non-aortic-related deaths as a competing risk, 15% vs 5%-8% in the other groups. All patients with aortic-related death (both women and men) had refused repair because of older age and risk from comorbidities, except in 2 females with rupture of 4.8 and 5.5 cm AAAs while awaiting repair. AAAs are diagnosed in women almost a decade later than men. In this study, mortality after AAA repair was not inferior in women compared with men; however, the incidence of repair was significantly lower in women. Based on the findings of threefold greater long-term aortic-related mortality in women not undergoing AAA repair, it may be advisable to consider repair in women earlier at a smaller AAA size.

Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm in high-risk women

BackgroundPopulation-wide ultrasound screening programmes for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) for men have already been established in some countries. Women account for one third of aneurysm-related mortality and are four times more likely to experience an AAA rupture than men. Whole-population screening for AAA in women is unlikely to be clinically or economically effective. The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of a targeted AAA screening programme for women at high risk of AAA.MethodWomen aged 65–74 years deemed at high risk of having an AAA (current smokers, ex-smokers, or with a history of coronary artery disease) were invited to attend ultrasound screening (July 2016 to March 2019) for AAA in the Female Aneurysm screening STudy (FAST). Primary outcomes were attendance for screening and prevalence of AAA. Biometric data, medical history, quality of life (QoL) and aortic diameter on ultrasound imaging were recorded prospectively.ResultsSome 6037 women were invited and 5200 attended screening (86.7 per cent). Fifteen AAAs larger than 29 mm were detected (prevalence 0.29 (95 per cent c.i. 0.18 to 0.48) per cent). Current smokers had the highest prevalence (0.83 (95 per cent c.i. 0.34 to 1.89) per cent) but lowest attendance (75.2 per cent). Three AAAs greater than 5.5 cm were identified and referred for consideration of surgical repair; one woman underwent repair. There was a significant reduction in patient-reported QoL scores following screening.ConclusionA low prevalence of AAA was detected in high-risk women, with lowest screening uptake in those at highest risk. Screening for AAA in high-risk women may not be beneficial.

Does sex really matter?

Does sex really matter?

Society for Vascular Surgery implementation of clinical practice guidelines for patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm: Screening for an abdominal aortic aneurysm

•High morbidity and mortality associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture.•Most effective mechanism to prevent death from rupture is the prevention of rupture itself.•Ultrasound based abdominal screening, in multiple randomized controlled clinical trials,1Cosford P.A. Leng G.C. Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007; : CD002945PubMed Google Scholar associated with:○40% reduction aneurysm-related mortality○50% reduction in aneurysm rupture•AAA prevalence, growth and rupture are most strongly predicted by smoking history.•First-degree relatives of patients with AAA have approximately 20% likelihood for AAA development. Consider one-time ultrasound screening for AAA in:•Men and women aged 65 to 75 with a history of tobacco use (Grade 1A).•Men and women older than 75 in good health with history of tobacco use and not previously screened (Grade 2C).•First-degree relatives aged 65 to 75 or older than 75 in good health of patients presenting with AAA (Grade 2C).2Chaikof E.L. Dalman R.L. Eskandari M.K. Jackson B.M. Lee W.A. Mansour M.A. et al.The Society for Vascular Surgery practice guidelines on the care of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.J Vasc Surg. 2018; 67: 2-77.e2Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (783) Google Scholar •Lower AAA prevalence in women balanced by estimated fourfold higher rupture rate and quicker progression to rupture than men (Fig).3Ulug P. Powell J.T. Sweeting M.J. Bown M.J. Thompson S.G. Group S.C. Meta-analysis of the current prevalence of screen-detected abdominal aortic aneurysm in women.Br J Surg. 2016; 103: 1097-1104Crossref PubMed Scopus (52) Google Scholar•A contemporary review estimates a 1.34% pooled prevalence of AAA in women over age 60 with a history of tobacco use, with evidence suggesting selective screening of women is cost effective beyond a threshold prevalence of 1%.2Chaikof E.L. Dalman R.L. Eskandari M.K. Jackson B.M. Lee W.A. Mansour M.A. et al.The Society for Vascular Surgery practice guidelines on the care of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.J Vasc Surg. 2018; 67: 2-77.e2Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (783) Google Scholar,3Ulug P. Powell J.T. Sweeting M.J. Bown M.J. Thompson S.G. Group S.C. Meta-analysis of the current prevalence of screen-detected abdominal aortic aneurysm in women.Br J Surg. 2016; 103: 1097-1104Crossref PubMed Scopus (52) Google Scholar •Despite Medicare SAAAVE Act in 2007, less than 15% of eligible patients undergo AAA screening.•Consider implementing a primary care clinical alert in the electronic health record prompting an order set or mailed screening invitations for patients that meet screening criteria and include in the subsequent ultrasound report a standardized algorithm for further surveillance and management.5Hye R.J. Smith A.E. Wong G.H. Vansomphone S.S. Scott R.D. Kanter M.H. Leveraging the electronic medical record to implement an abdominal aortic aneurysm screening program.J Vasc Surg. 2014; 59: 1535-1542Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (29) Google Scholar

Paradigm shifts in abdominal aortic aneurysm management based on vascular registries.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a relatively common and potentially fatal disease. The management of AAA has undergone extensive changes in the last two decades. High quality vascular surgical registries were established early and have been found to be instrumental in the evaluation and monitoring of these changes, most notably the wide implementation of minimally invasive endovascular surgical technology. Trends over the years showed the increased use of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) over open repair, the decreasing perioperative adverse outcomes and the early survival advantage of EVAR. Also, data from the early EVAR years changed the views on endoleak management and showed the importance of tracking the implementation of new techniques. Registry data complemented the randomized trials performed in aortic surgery by showing the high rate of laparotomy-related reinterventions after open repair. Also, they are an essential tool for the understanding of outcomes in a broad patient population, evaluating the generalizability of findings from randomized trials and analysing changes over time. By using large-scale data over longer periods of time, the importance of centralization of care to high-volume centres was shown, particularly for open repair. Additionally, large-scale databases can offer an opportunity to assess practice and outcomes in patient subgroups (e.g. treatment of AAA in women and the elderly) as well as in rare aortic pathologies. In this review article, we point out the most important paradigm shifts in AAA management based on vascular registry data.

Sex-Related Outcomes After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair Within the Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are more common in men. However, women have been shown to have more short- and long-term adverse outcomes after endovascular aneurysm repair. This disparity is thought to be multifactorial, including anatomical differences, hormonal differences, older age of presentation, and a greater degree of preoperative comorbidities. A retrospective analysis that included data for 3,758 patients from the Global Registry for Endovascular Aortic Treatment (GREAT) was conducted. Patients were recruited into GREAT between August 2010 and October 2016 and received the Gore Excluder stent graft for infrarenal AAAs repair. Cox multivariate regression analyses were performed to analyze any reintervention and device-related intervention rates. Of the 3,758 patients, 3,220 were male (mean age 73years) and 538 were female (mean age 75years). Women had higher prevalence rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P<0.0001) and renal insufficiency (P=0.03), whereas men had higher rates of cardiovascular comorbidities. The AAAs in women were smaller in diameter with shorter and more angulated necks. Women did not experience a significantly higher rate of endoleaks but did exhibit higher reintervention rates, including reintervention for device-related issues. In terms of mortality, aorta-related mortality was most prevalent within the first 30days after procedure in both sexes. Women were treated at an older age and had a more hostile aneurysmal anatomy. Although the mortality rates were lower in women, they had significantly higher rates of reintervention, and thus higher morbidity rates after endovascular aneurysm repair.

Screening Women for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Clinical and Economic Effectiveness Results from a Discrete Event Simulation Model

Introduction - Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening programmes have been established for men in several countries. Whether screening should be extended to women is uncertain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of population screening for AAA in women, and compare a range of screening options.

Impact of Sex Hormones, Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk Factors on Development of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Women: A Population-based Prospective Study in Norway: A Hunt Study

Introduction - Women develop abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) five to ten years later than men (1,2). The delay in AAA development may be secondary to a protection from estrogens (3,4). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of risk factors associated with AAA development in women, including postmenopausal hormone therapy. This has previously been investigated in small cohorts with limited information. Methods - In a total cohort of 106,000 individuals from the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), 20,024 postmenopausal women were identified, of which 201 developed AAAs during a median follow-up of 18 years (1995-2014, i.e. 295,554 person-years). The data is based on questionnaires, physical measurements, medical records and blood samples. A multivariable Cox regression model was constructed, where the final adjusted model included the following variables: smoking (current, past, never), body mass index, coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and postmenopausal hormone therapy. Multiple imputation was performed for missing data (n=50 data sets). Serum estradiol concentrations were compared between women who later did or did not develop AAAs. Median time from blood sample collection to AAA diagnosis was seven years. Results - Mean age at AAA diagnosis was 77 (59 -100) years. 28% of the cohort reported ever use of postmenopausal hormone therapy. In the multivariable analysis, a notable Hazard ratio (HR) of 0.58 was observed for current use of hormone therapy, but the result was not statistically significant (95% CI 0.29-1.16, p=0.12). Women who reported current smoking had a more than ten-fold risk for developing AAA during follow-up (HR 10.9 (7.4-16.1)). Positive associations were also found for hypertension (HR 2.0 (1.4-3.0)) and coronary heart disease (HR 2.2 (1.6-3.2)). There was no substantial difference in estradiol concentrations between women with and without AAA (p=0.06). Conclusion - Postmenopausal hormone therapy is of less clinical importance compared to the strong associations observed between smoking, hypertension coronary heart disease and AAA development in women. These findings were supported by measured estradiol concentrations.

Women With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Present a Different Pattern of Genetic Variability, Compared to Men

Introduction: Sex differences in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) epidemiology have not been entirely explained. There are differences in exposure to the main risk factor smoking between men and women, but this can only partly explain the large difference in prevalence. The presence of familial predisposition suggests that genetic factors are also important for AAA development. We hypothesised that women who develop AAA may respond differently to female hormones, due to differences in their hormone receptors. Such genetic differences could explain why some women do develop AAA, despite generally being less susceptible to this disease. We also wanted to investigate if single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with AAA in men, also were associated with AAA in women. Thus, the aim was to investigate genetic variability in men and women with and without AAA. Methods: Peripheral blood from 97 female AAA patients, 103 female controls, 201 male AAA patients, and 201 male controls were analysed, quantifying variations in 21 SNPs associated with oestrogen receptors, extracellular matrix metabolism, LDL metabolism, vascular cell function and proliferation. Clinical data was collected using questionnaires. Association of SNPs to AAA was evaluated using PLINK 1.9 software testing for association using Fischer's exact test using dominant, recessive, allelic, genomic and Cohran-Armintage trend models for each SNP, adjusting the strongest associated models p-value using Monte Carlo permutations swapping case-labels. Adjusted p-values below 0.05 were considered significant. Results: Significant differences between AAA cases and controls were found in three SNPs: rs8113877 (14% vs. 27%, adjusted p-value 0.041) among women, and in rs2010963 (24% vs. 32%, adj. p-value 0.027) and rs4988300 (64% vs. 80%, adj. p-value 0.002) among men. SNP rs8113877 is located in the promotor of the MMP-9 gene and has been reported as elevating transcription activity of MMP-9 in vitro. We therefore analysed MMP-9 levels in peripheral blood in a subset of our main study population. MMP-9 levels were correlated to aneurysm disease and smoking status among both women and men but not to the rs8113877 genotype among neither women nor men. SNP rs2010963 in the VGEFA gene has previously been associated with AAA in a predominantly male cohort. VGEFA is a growth factor and part of the PDGF/VEGF family. VGEFA regulates proliferation and migration of endothelial cells and is involved in both physiological and pathological angiogenesis. SNP rs4988300 in located in the LRP5 gene which encodes a low-density lipoprotein receptor active in receptor-driven endocytosis. The level of lipoprotein(a) is reported as elevated among carriers. Lipoprotein(a) has been suggested as a biomarker for AAA in a meta-analysis performed 2017. Conclusion: Genetic variability associated with AAA differ between men and women. The potential importance of SNP rs8113877 for AAA development in women warrants further investigation. [Differences in pattern of genetic variability] Disclosure: Nothing to disclose

Female sex hormones and risk of incident abdominal aortic aneurysm in Norwegian women in the HUNT study

ObjectiveThe delayed development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in women compared with men might be secondary to a protective effect from endogenous estrogens. The role of postmenopausal hormone therapy remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of female sex hormones compared with other risk factors associated with AAA through a long-term study of a large female cohort. MethodsThe present prospective cohort study included 20,024 postmenopausal women from the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag Health Study. A total of 201 cases of AAA were identified during a median follow-up period of 18 years (295,554 person-years; 1995-2014). The data were recorded from questionnaires, physical measurements, medical records, blood sample test results, and the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry. The effect of risk factors was evaluated in a multiple Cox regression analysis. Multiple imputation was performed for missing data (n = 50 data sets). The serum estradiol concentrations in women with and without incidental AAAs were compared. The median interval from blood sample collection to the AAA diagnosis was 7 years. ResultsCurrent smokers had >10-fold increased risk of incident AAA during the follow-up period (hazard ratio [HR], 10.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.4-16.1). Positive associations were found for hypertension (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.4-3.0) and coronary heart disease (HR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.6-3.2). The HR associated with the current use of postmenopausal hormone therapy was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.6-1.5). No substantial difference in estradiol concentrations was found between women with and without AAA (P = .075). ConclusionsThe effect of female sex hormones on the risk of incident AAAs in women, as evaluated by the serum concentrations of estradiol and the use of postmenopausal hormone therapy, is clinically less important than the strong associations found with smoking, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.

Usefulness of Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm During Transthoracic Echocardiography in Women ≥50 Years of Age

Usefulness of screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) during transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in women is uncertain. The aim of the present study was to clarify the clinical usefulness of screening for AAA during TTE and to identify important TTE indices associated with AAA in women in a routine clinical setting. We prospectively studied 1,495 women (≥50 years) referred for TTE. AAA was defined as ≥30 mm in size. The additional screening time for AAA was <1 minute. The abdominal aorta was visualized in 95.1 % (1,422 of 1,495) using the same TTE probe. AAA was identified in 1.9% (27 of 1422). The aortic root size was larger in patients with AAA than those without (33.3 ± 3.2 vs 30.5 ± 3.4 mm, p < 0.001). The aortic root size had a correlation with abdominal aortic size (r = 0.22, p < 0.001). The aortic root size of ≥30.3 mm was predictive of AAA (area under the curve = 0.74, p < 0.001) and all patients with AAA had the aortic root size of ≥28.0 mm. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the aortic root size (Odds ratio 1.17, p = 0.007) was a most independent TTE index of AAA. In conclusion, the visibility of the abdominal aorta using TTE probe was excellent. When the aortic root size is ≥28.0 mm during TTE in women ≥50 years of age, screening for AAA should be carried out.

Should Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Women be Repaired at a Lower Diameter Threshold?

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) primarily affects male patients; however, female patients with AAA have a faster rate of aneurysm growth, have higher risk of rupture even at smaller diameters, and have worse outcomes following repair of ruptured and intact aneurysms. Furthermore, early natural history studies and randomized controlled trials evaluating surveillance versus repair in small aneurysms were conducted primarily in male patients. Therefore, there are limited data regarding the ideal threshold for elective repair of AAA in women, either by aortic diameter or by alternative measures. We review the existing literature regarding AAA in women and consider the most appropriate threshold for repair.

Review on management and outcomes of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in women

Vascular procedures in general, and specifically abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, are associated with worse outcomes in female patients. However, how female gender influences outcomes in the setting of aneurysm-rupture remains unclear and may be even more pronounced when compared to elective operations. In this report, the authors aim to review the literature regarding ruptured AAA repair in women. Using the traditional threshold for AAA of 30 mm of maximum diameter, the prevalence in women is lesser than in men. However, the true prevalence may be underestimated due to gender discrepancies in normal aortic diameter. For females, aneurysmal disease seems to manifest later, have more associated comorbidities, and rupture occurs at smaller aortic diameters. This has obvious implications for management. There is still no consensus over the optimal treatment for ruptured AAA in women. They are less frequently treated by endovascular aneurysm repair, possibly due to anatomical restrains. When feasible, endovascular repair shows better outcomes, at least in the short-term, and there is new evidence suggesting a lasting benefit as well. For open repair the results are consensually worse when compared to male counterparts. Finally, despite benefitting of apparently similar healthcare, women have a lower relative survival after rAAA repair when compared to men. Further investigation to determine the reasons of these discrepancies is warranted.

Progress in Endovascular Aortic Repair for Women.

The diagnosed prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in women is approximately 20% of that in men.1–3 Therefore, women are underrepresented in epidemiologic studies and trials in which screening and therapeutic methods are evaluated. Consequently, central issues related to AAA in women have not been fully investigated.First, screening recommendations provide inadequate guidance for women. The United States Preventive Services Task Force has concluded that insufficient evidence exists for screening women with a history of smoking and has advised against screening women who have never smoked.4 The only prospective studies of ultrasound screening in women yielded no difference in mortality rates at 10 years.3,5 Subsequent efforts to identify women at high risk of AAA have been more promising.6,7Female sex is associated with a more rapid aneurysmal growth rate and earlier rupture.8,9 These findings suggest that women might benefit more from earlier AAA repair than do men. In addition, AAAs in women are more likely to have complex features.10 The median infrarenal aortic neck length in women is 12 mm, compared with 16 mm in men. The degree of neck angulation is greater in women (45° vs 36°), and iliac vessel caliber is smaller (11 vs 14 mm). Thus, approximately 60% of women are not eligible for endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) with use of conventional devices.11Recent advances in device design, including smaller delivery systems and modifications to accommodate shorter neck lengths and greater angulation, can be expected to increase EVAR eligibility in women. For instance, the Endurant® II AAA Stent Graft System (Medtronic, Inc.; Minneapolis, Minn) and the TriVascular Ovation Prime® device (TriVascular, an Endologix company; Santa Rosa, Calif) can accommodate neck lengths as short as 10 mm and 7 mm, respectively. The Zenith® Fenestrated AAA Endovascular Graft (Cook Medical Inc.; Bloomington, Ind), which is uniquely manufactured to conform to patients' aortic anatomy, can be used in necks as short as 4 mm. Extreme neck angulation is accommodated by the Aorfix™ Endovascular Stent Graft (Lombard Medical, Inc.; Irvine, Calif). These devices can also be used in patients who have iliac vessel diameters as narrow as 8 mm and as wide as 25 mm. The TriVascular Ovation® provides the lowest-profile delivery system at 14F.The ongoing LIFE Study seeks to show benefits associated with the low-profile TriVascular Ovation Prime device in conjunction with the Fast-Track EVAR Protocol, which includes percutaneous access, conscious sedation, and next-day discharge from the hospital.12 Thirty-day results include low rates of adverse events, high procedural success rates, freedom from endoleak, and hospital readmission rates 5 times lower than those in contemporary EVAR reports (1.6% vs 8.2%).13 Patients assigned to the fast-track approach showed a trend toward more greatly improved quality of life. Whether the predicted benefits of the Ovation Prime device will specifically translate into improved outcomes in female patients will be determined in the forthcoming LUCY Study.14The underrepresentation of women in clinical trials related to AAA has resulted in a lack of guidance for patients and physicians in the central issues of natural history, screening, and treatment threshold. Technical advances in stent-grafts, which are now lower-profile and more compatible with complex aneurysmal features, are likely to increase eligibility for EVAR in women. In addition to procedural advances, future study should focus on improved screening algorithms and defining the optimal treatment threshold in women.

Commentary on "Should Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Women Be Repaired at a Lower Diameter Threshold?"

Commentary on "Should Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Women Be Repaired at a Lower Diameter Threshold?"

Abstract 107: Increased Peak Wall Stress in Women With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Objective: Women with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) exhibit more rapid aneurysm growth and greater rupture risk at equivalent diameters relative to men. Evidence suggests that biomechanical peak wall stress (PWS) derived from finite element analysis of AAAs is a superior predictor of rupture compared to maximum transverse diameter (MTD). This study aimed to investigate differences in the calculated PWS of AAAs between men and women. Method: Men (n=35) and women (n=35) with infrarenal AAAs with 45-55mm MTD undergoing CTA were identified. Customized image processing algorithms extracted patient-specific AAA geometries from raw DICOM images. The resulting aortic reconstructions incorporated patient-specific and regionally resolved aortic wall thickness, intraluminal thrombus, and wall calcifications. Aortic models were loaded with 120mmHg blood pressure using commercially available FEA solvers. Results: Peak wall stress was found to be significantly higher in women (299±51 vs 257±53 kPA, P=0.001, see Figure). Neither MTD (50.5±3.1 vs 49.8±2.9 mm, P=0.34), mean aortic wall thickness (2.38±0.52 vs 2.34±0.50 mm, P=0.69), nor wall thickness at location of PWS (2.36±0.60 vs 2.20±0.46 mm, P=0.20) varied by sex. While there were no sex-associated differences in aneurysm volume (86.6±27.0 vs 94.8±25.5 cm 3 , P=0.76) or intraluminal thrombus volume (14.2±11.7 vs 16.3±13.4 mm, P=0.33), women’s AAAs had significantly increased maximum Gaussian curvature (0.032±0.011 vs 0.025±0.015 mm -2 , P=0.03). Conclusion: Comparably sized AAAs in women were shown to have significantly higher peak wall stress. Maximum gaussian curvature, a measure of aneurysm morphology, was significantly different between the two groups. These results suggest that men and women possess distinct aneurysm geometries, and that PWS-derived rupture risk prediction may provide a more reliable estimator of rupture risk in all patients.

Morphological suitability for endovascular repair, non-intervention rates, and operative mortality in women and men assessed for intact abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: systematic reviews with meta-analysis

SummaryBackgroundPrognosis for women with abdominal aortic aneurysm might be worse than the prognosis for men. We aimed to systematically quantify the differences in outcomes between men and women being assessed for repair of intact abdominal aortic aneurysm using data from study periods after the year 2000.MethodsIn these systematic reviews and meta-analysis, we identified studies (randomised, cohort, or cross-sectional) by searching MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and grey literature published between Jan 1, 2005, and Sept 2, 2016, for two systematic reviews and Jan 1, 2009, and Sept 2, 2016, for one systematic review. Studies were included if they were of both men and women, with data presented for each sex separately, with abdominal aortic aneurysms being assessed for aneurysm repair by either endovascular repair (EVAR) or open repair. We conducted three reviews based on whether studies reported the proportion morphologically suitable (within manufacturers' instructions for use) for EVAR (EVAR suitability review), non-intervention rates (non-intervention review), and 30-day mortality (operative mortality review) after intact aneurysm repair. Studies had to include at least 20 women (for the EVAR suitability review), 20 women (for the non-intervention review), and 50 women (for the operative mortality review). Studies were excluded if they were review articles, editorials, letters, or case reports. For the operative review, studies were also excluded if they only provided hazard ratios or only reported in-hospital mortality. We assessed the quality of the studies using the Newcastle–Ottawa scoring system, and contacted authors for the provision of additional data if needed. We combined results across studies by random-effects meta-analysis. This study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043227.FindingsFive studies assessed the morphological eligibility for EVAR (1507 men, 400 women). The overall pooled proportion of women eligible (34%) for EVAR was lower than it was in men (54%; odds ratio [OR] 0·44, 95% CI 0·32–0·62). Four single-centre studies reported non-intervention rates (1365 men, 247 women). The overall pooled non-intervention rates were higher in women (34%) than men (19%; OR 2·27, 95% CI 1·21–4·23). The review of 30-day mortality included nine studies (52 018 men, 11 076 women). The overall pooled estimate for EVAR was higher in women (2·3%) than in men (1·4%; OR 1·67, 95% CI 1·38–2·04). The overall estimate for open repair also was higher in women (5·4%) than in men (2·8%; OR 1·76, 95% CI 1·35–2·30).InterpretationCompared with men, a smaller proportion of women are eligible for EVAR, a higher proportion of women are not offered intervention, and operative mortality is much higher in women for both EVAR and open repair. The management of abdominal aortic aneurysm in women needs improvement.FundingNational Institute for Health Research (UK).

Aneurysm of the abdominal aorta with associated atheroma and bilateral renal atrophy: a case report

Abstract Introduction: An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) (pathological enlargement of the aorta) can be developed in both men and women as they grow older. Patients present with atypical symptoms such as abdominal or flank pain, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, or shock. AAAs are among the main causes of death. The high morbidity and mortality associated with aneurysm rupture and repair represents a challenge for surgeons and high risk for patients. Therefore, AAA is a vascular condition that deserves constant attention, both for screening studies as therapeutic improvement. In screening studies, the prevalence of AAA in women is relatively rare (1%). Materials and methods and results: During routine activities in the Laboratory of Human Anatomy from Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Brazil, it was observed a 87 years old female cadaver with AAA and with associated atheroma and bilateral renal atrophy. Conclusion: This study reported a case of AAA emphasizing some morphological, functional and clinical data about this vascular abnormality, in order to offer useful information to anatomists, radiologists, and surgeons.

Meta-Analysis of the Current Prevalence of Screen-Detected Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Women

Current population prevalence of screen-detected abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in older women is subject to wide demographic variation. In patients who have ever smoked and in those aged ≥70 years the prevalence is over 1%.

Mortality Risk for Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Women

Sex differences in presentation and outcomes of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with increased mortality rates in women are suggested. This study aimed to assess mortality risk after repair of ruptured AAA (rAAA) in women in the endovascular abdominal aortic repair (EVAR) era. Patients treated between 2006 and 2015 for rAAA were included in a prospective database. Characteristics at presentation and outcomes were compared between women and men. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional analyses were performed to identify the effect of sex adjusted for other predictors on mortality. One hundred thirteen patients were identified; of these, 17.7% (20/113) of the patients were women. Forty-four procedures (38.9%) were by EVAR, with comparable rates in women (45%) and men (37.6%, P=0.62). On admission, women and men shared similar comorbidities and presentation (shock 45% vs. 43.0%, P=0.81; free rupture 65.0% vs. 67.7%, P=0.80) and comparable mean aneurysm diameter (76.5 vs. 78.8mm, P=0.68), but women were older (mean age 86.4+5.5 vs. 75.2±10.6years, P<0.0001) and octogenarian women were twice as likely as men (90% vs. 40%, P<0.0001). Perioperative mortality was comparable between women and men (40.0% vs. 38.7%) either after EVAR (22.2% vs. 40.0% in women and men respectively; odds ratio [OR] 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.77-2.37) or after open surgery (54.5% vs. 37.9%; OR 2.0, 95% CI 0.54-7.21), even though there was a trend for lower mortality in women with EVAR. In adjusted analyses, female sex was not associated with perioperative mortality as it was for older age (octogenarians: OR 6.6, 95% CI 2.08-20.82, P=0.001) and free rupture (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.29-13.73, P=0.02). Mean follow-up was 34.32months. After controlling for age, surgical repair, free rupture, cardiac disease, and shock at presentation, female sex was not a predictor of late mortality. AAA repair is often delayed in women and applied at older age; nevertheless, currently women do not show increased perioperative mortality risks from rAAA treatment after the introduction of EVAR.