Aneurysms In Women Research Articles

Evaluating growth patterns of abdominal aortic aneurysms among women

ObjectiveThough initially protected from vessel dilation by estrogen, women may experience rapid abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth post-menopause. The rate of growth has been poorly defined in prior literature. Here, we describe aneurysm growth in a cohort of women found through an AAA screening program. MethodsWomen with AAAs were retrospectively identified. Aortic imaging was reviewed, and measurements of maximum transverse and anterior-posterior diameters were completed. Growth was stratified by the type of aortic pathology (fusiform aneurysm, aortic ectasia, dissection with aneurysmal degeneration, saccular aneurysm) as well as size category (<3 cm, 3.0-3.9 cm, 4.0-4.9 cm, ≥5.0 cm) at diagnosis. ResultsA cohort of 488 women was identified; 286 had multiple scans for review. The mean age of the entire cohort was 75 ± 9.9 years. Stratified by type of pathology, the mean age was 76 ± 8.9 years in patients with a fusiform AAA, 74 ± 9.8 years in ectasia, 65 ± 13.7 years in dissection, and 76 ± 5.6 years in saccular aneurysms. The maximum growth was highest in women with fusiform AAAs, followed by dissection, ectasia, and saccular pathology (9.7 mm, 7.0 mm, 3.0 mm, and 2.2 mm, respectively; P < .001). Comparing mean growth by year, the highest mean growth was in fusiform AAAs (3.6 mm vs 1.75 mm in dissection; P < .001). The Shapiro-Wilk test demonstrated that mean growth per year was non-normally distributed with a right skew. Stratified by aortic diameter at the time of diagnosis, mean growth/year increased with increasing size at diagnosis in fusiform AAAs and dissection (0.91 mm for <3 cm, 2.34 mm for 3.0-3.9 cm, 2.49 mm for 4.0-4.9 mm, and 6.16 mm for ≥5.0 cm in patients with fusiform AAAs vs 0.57 mm, 0.94 mm, 1.87 mm, and 2.66 mm, respectively, for patients with dissection). Smoking history was associated with a higher mean growth/year (2.6 mm vs 3.3 mm; P < .001). Conversely, patients with a family history of AAA had a lower mean growth/year (3.2 mm vs 1.5 mm; P < .001). ConclusionsThe rate of aneurysm growth in women varies based on pathology and aneurysm size, and women experience rapid aneurysm growth at sizes greater than 4.5 cm. Current screening guidelines are inadequate, and our results demonstrate that the rate of growth of fusiform aneurysms in women is faster than in men at a smaller size and may warrant more frequent surveillance than current Society for Vascular Surgery recommendations to prevent risk of increased morbidity.

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm in women: many questions remain regarding their poor outcome

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm in women: many questions remain regarding their poor outcome

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm in women: understand and address the gender-related differences to improve outcomes.

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm in women: understand and address the gender-related differences to improve outcomes.

Use of Natural Language Processing to Improve Surveillance of Aortic Aneurysms in Women Deemed Ineligible by Current Guidelines

Use of Natural Language Processing to Improve Surveillance of Aortic Aneurysms in Women Deemed Ineligible by Current Guidelines

Does the use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy offer protection against the formation or rupture of intracranial aneurysms in women?: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of using oral contraceptive and hormone replacement therapy as a protective factor in the formation of intracranial aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage. This is a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis, using PubMed and Embase as databases and the PRISMA method. Case-control and cohort studies published until December 2022 were included in this review. Four studies were included in this review; three of which were eligible for meta-analysis. Regarding the use of oral contraceptive and the development of subarachnoid hemorrhage, there was a lower risk of aneurysm rupture with an odds ratio 0.65 (confidence interval 0.5-0.85). In the analysis of patients using hormone replacement therapy and developing subarachnoid hemorrhage, there was also a lower risk of aneurysm rupture with an OR 0.54 (CI 0.39-0.74). Only one article analyzed the formation of intracranial aneurysm and the use of hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptive, and there was a protective effect with the use of these medications. oral contraceptive: OR 2.1 (CI 1.2-3.8) and hormone replacement therapy: OR 3.1 (CI 1.5-6.2). The use of hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptive has a protective effect in intracranial aneurysm rupture and formation.

Prevalence of abdominal aorta aneurysm in women ≥ 50 years of age, dispensarized in department of preventive cardiology IKEM

Background and Aims: AAA is defined as an enlargement of abdominal aorta ≥ 3cm. The most important risk factors (RF) are genetic preconditions, age, male gender, CVD, personal history of smoking, hypertension and vascular aneurysm of other localization. There is a high prevalence of AAA among men in Caucasian race ≥ 65 years of age, but significantly lower prevalence is among women. The mortality of a ruptured AAA is 60-70%, planned AAA operation has excellent survival rate. The screening of AAA is recommended for men, but screening for women is controversial.

Does sex really matter?

Does sex really matter?

Increased Virulence of Descending Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Women

A retrospective review was performed of the Aortic Institute at Yale-New Haven Hospital between 1990 and 2018. Of 907 patients with descending thoracic/thoracoabdominal aortic sizes, excluding those with connective tissue disease, the mean aortic diameter was 4.1 cm in men (68%) and 4.8 cm in women (32%). The median radiologic follow-up was ∼3 years in each subgroup. The mean growth rate was significantly greater in women (0.25 cm/year) than in men (0.17 cm/year). Dissection, rupture, aortic death, or a combination of the three occurred twice as frequently for women (5.8%) than for men (2.3%). A thoracic aortic diameter >5.0 cm was associated with significantly higher composite endpoints of rupture, dissection, and death in women (33%) than in men (26%). Women diagnosed with descending thoracic/thoracoabdominal aneurysms have faster aneurysm growth and higher rates of dissection, rupture, and aortic death than men. Women should be considered for intervention for thoracoabdominal aneurysms possibly at smaller diameters than 5.5 to 6.0 cm.

Women have similar mortality but higher morbidity than men after elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

ObjectiveSex disparities regarding outcomes for women after open and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair have been well-documented. The purpose of this study was to review whether these disparities were also present at our institution for elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and whether specific factors predispose female patients to negative outcomes. MethodsAll elective EVARs were identified from our three sites (Florida, Minnesota, and Arizona) from 2000 to 2018. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality and three-year mortality. Secondary outcomes included complications requiring return to the operating room, length of hospitalization (LOH), intensive care unit (ICU) days, and location of discharge after hospitalization. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess for the risk of complications. ResultsThere were 1986 EVARs; 1754 (88.3%) were performed in male and 232 (11.7%) in female patients. Female patients were older (79 years [interquartile range (IQR), 72-83 years] vs 76 years [IQR, 70-81 years]; P < .001), had a lower body mass index (median, 26.1 kg/m2 [IQR, 22.1-31.0 kg/m2] vs 28.3 kg/m2 [IQR, 25.3-31.6 kg/m2]; P < .001 and hematocrit (median, 37.6% [IQR, 33.4%-40.6%] vs 39.4% [IQR, 35.6%-42.6%]; P < .001) and had higher glomerular filtration rate (median, 84.4 mL/min per 1.73m2 [IQR, 62.3-103 mL/min/1.73 m2] vs 51.1 mL/min/1.73 m2 [IQR, 41.8-60.8 mL/min/1.73 m2]; P < .001. Female patients were also more likely to be active smokers (15.3% vs 13.1%; P < .001) and have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (24.7% vs 15.3%; P = .001). They were less likely to have coronary artery disease (31.6% vs 45.6%; P < .001). Aneurysms in women were slightly smaller in size (median, 54 mm [IQR, 50.0-58.0 mm] vs 55 mm [IQR, 51.0-60.0 mm]; P = .004). In-hospital mortality and mortality at the 3-year follow-up was not significant between female and male patients (0.86% vs 0.17%; P = .11 and 38.4% vs 36.2%; P = .57). However, female patients returned to the operating room with a greater frequency than male patients (3.9% vs 1.4%; P = .011). LOH (mean, 3.4 ± 3.8 days vs 2.5 ± 2.4 days; P < .001) and ICU days (mean, 0.3 ± 2.0 days vs 0.1 ± 0.5 days; P < .001) were longer for female patients. After hospitalization, female patients were discharged to rehabilitation facilities in greater proportion (12.7% vs 3.1%; P < .001) than their male counterparts. On multivariable analysis, female sex was associated with a return to the operating room (odds ratio, 6.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-3.5; P = .02), longer LOH (Coef 4.0; 95% CI, 1.0-2.5; P = .00007), more ICU days (Coef 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.0; P = .005), and a greater likelihood of posthospitalization rehabilitation facility placement (odds ratio, 5.8; 95% CI, 1.5-2.4; P = .0001). ConclusionsOur three-site, single-institution data support sex disparities to the detriment of female patients regarding return to the operating room after EVAR, LOH, ICU days, and discharge to rehabilitation facility. However, we found no differences for in-hospital or 3-year mortality.

Increased Virulence of Descending Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Women

This study evaluates sex differences in the natural history of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (DTTAAs). In all, 907 patients with descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic sizes greater than 3 cm were retrospectively reviewed. Growth rate estimates were performed utilizing an instrumental variables approach. Yearly complication rates as a function of aortic size were computed. There were 615 men (67.8%) and 292 women (32.2%) treated between 1990 and 2018, with mean aortic diameters of 4.1 ± 1.4 cm and 4.8 ± 1.6 cm, respectively (P < .001). The mean growth rate of DTTAAs was 0.17 cm per year in men and 0.25 cm per year in women (P < .001), increasing with increasing aneurysm size. Dissection, rupture, or aortic death or the combination of the three occurred at double the rate for women compared with men (5.8% vs 2.3% per year for the combined endpoint). Diameter of DTTAA greater than 5 cm was associated with 26.3% (male) and 33.1% (female) average yearly rates of the composite endpoint of rupture, dissection, and death (P < .05). The probability of fatal complications (rupture and death) increased sharply at 5.75 cm in both sexes. Between 4.5 and 5.75 cm, there was another hinge-point of higher probability of fatal complications among women. Women diagnosed with DTTAA fare worse. Faster aneurysm growth and higher rates of dissection, rupture, and aortic death are apparent among women. Current guidelines recommend surgical intervention at 5.5 to 6 cm for DTTAAs without sex considerations. Our findings suggest that increased virulence of DTTAA in women may indicate surgery at a somewhat smaller diameter.

Clinical outcome of endovascular coil embolization for cerebral aneurysms in Asian population in relation to risk factors: a 3-year retrospective analysis

BackgroundLong term results of endovascular coiling are yet scarce. This study reviews the impact of comorbidities on the success of endovascular coiling of both ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Endovascular treatment has become thetreatment of choice after the ISAT trials. Independent risk factors that influence recovery are age, sex, smoking, and hypertension.MethodsThis is a 3-year retrospective analysis, performed to assess the clinical and radiological outcome of patients with cerebral aneurysms treated with detachable coils in an Asian population with relation to comorbidities including smoking and hypertension with age and gender as mediators. From July 2015 to August 2018, a total of 297 consecutive patients (mean age: 45.5 years) with cerebral aneurysms both ruptured and unruptured who were treated at a single center with endovascular coiling procedures are included in the study. Clinical information and radiological outcomes were evaluated on regular follow-ups and telephonic interviews. A modified Rankin Scale was used to measure the clinical outcomes in patients.ResultsWe have found that smoking harmed clinical outcome, with smokers 35% less likely to recover, while hypertension played a smaller role with only 15%. It was found that while aneurysms are more prevalent in women than men, women not only have a higher chance of getting an aneurysm but also have poorer outcomes. Similarly, patients who were above the age of 40 had a lower chance of recovery compared to younger patients due to comorbidities irrespective of gender.ConclusionAsian sub-continent has different genetic markers that lead to poorer outcomes of aneurysms in women, while outcomes are similar in men and women in developed nations. Smoking does not play a major role in women’s recovery. Men with comorbidity seemed to be at higher risk and age played a major role in their recovery.

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.

Popliteal Artery Aneurysm in Women

Popliteal Artery Aneurysm in Women

Role of pregnancy and female sex steroids on aneurysm formation, growth, and rupture: a systematic review of the literature.

Women have been shown to have a higher risk of cerebral aneurysm formation, growth, and rupture than men. The authors present a review of the recently published neurosurgical literature that studies the role of pregnancy and female sex steroids, to provide a conceptual framework with which to understand the various risk factors associated with cerebral aneurysms in women at different stages in their lives. The PubMed database was searched for "("intracranial" OR "cerebral") AND "aneurysm" AND ("pregnancy" OR "estrogen" OR "progesterone")" between January 1980 and February 2019. A total of 392 articles were initially identified, and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 papers were selected for review and analysis. These papers were then divided into two categories: 1) epidemiological studies about the formation, growth, rupture, and management of cerebral aneurysms in pregnancy; and 2) investigations on female sex steroids and cerebral aneurysms (animal studies and epidemiological studies). The 20 articles presented in this study include 7 epidemiological articles on pregnancy and cerebral aneurysms, 3 articles reporting case series of cerebral aneurysms treated by endovascular therapies in pregnancy, 3 epidemiological articles reporting the relationship between female sex steroids and cerebral aneurysms through retrospective case-control studies, and 7 experimental studies using animal and/or cell models to understand the relationship between female sex steroids and cerebral aneurysms. The studies in this review report similar risk of aneurysm rupture in pregnant women compared to the general population. Most ruptured aneurysms in pregnancy occur during the 3rd trimester, and most pregnant women who present with cerebral aneurysm have caesarean section deliveries. Endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms in pregnancy is shown to provide a new and safe form of therapy for these cases. Epidemiological studies of postmenopausal women show that estrogen hormone therapy and later age at menopause are associated with a lower risk of cerebral aneurysm than in matched controls. Experimental studies in animal models corroborate this epidemiological finding; estrogen deficiency causes endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, which may predispose to the formation and rupture of cerebral aneurysms, while exogenous estrogen treatment in this population may lower this risk. The aim of this work is to equip the neurosurgical and obstetrical/gynecological readership with the tools to better understand, critique, and apply findings from research on sex differences in cerebral aneurysms.

The Association of Intracranial Aneurysms in Women with Renal Artery Aneurysms

Renal artery aneurysms (RAAs) may reflect a systemic dysplastic arteriopathy, independent of a recognized connective tissue disease. It is hypothesized that RAAs are associated with an increased risk of intracranial aneurysms (IcAs). The objective of this study was to better define the association of IcAs in women with RAAs. Women aged 20 to 60 years who presented with RAAs at the University of Michigan from 2001 to 2016 were included in the study. Their clinical status and radiologic images were retrospectively reviewed, with particular attention directed to the prevalence of IcAs. Phenotypic characteristics predictive of associated cerebrovascular lesions were assessed using various statistical analyses, including binomial logistic regression. Among 83 women with RAAs, the average age at the time of RAA detection was 45.3±9.9 years (range, 20-60years). Hypertension affected 56 (67.5%) patients and poorly controlled hypertension prompted imaging for suspected renal arterial disease in 12 (14.5%) patients. Multifocal fibromuscular dysplasia occurred in 12 (14.8%) of patients, and unifocal stenosis affected 7 (8.4%) patients. Imaging of the intracranial vasculature (n = 31) documented 12 aneurysms in 9 women, with the cavernous internal carotid artery being the most commonly affected artery. Among the study's patients, 20 (24.1%) had an "at-risk disorder for IcA formation," although the frequency of relevant "at-risk disorders" in those with and without IcAs was not statistically different (P=0.21). Rupture risk defined by PHASES score was less than 1% for 10 IcAs, but 2 IcAs carried a 2.4% and 7.2% rupture risk, respectively, over a 5-year time period. Surgical management was pursued in 6 (50%) of the study's IcAs. Coexisting RAAs and IcAs may reflect a systemic arteriopathy. IcAs appear to occur with greater frequency in women with RAAs than the general population. This observation warrants prospective investigation as to the clinical appropriateness and relevance of cerebrovascular imaging in women with RAAs. Furthermore, this study's findings prompt further investigation of the underlying pathogenesis of what appears to be a broader and more complex arterial disease than previously recognized.

Gender features of etiopathogenesis, clinical and anatomical picture, tactics and results of surgical treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysm in women

The review includes the analysis of the literature data on the features of etiopathogenesis, clinic, tactics and results of treatment of infrarenal aortic aneurysm.

Should We Look Differently at Aortic Aneurysm in Women?

Should We Look Differently at Aortic Aneurysm in Women?

Prevalence of Synchronous and Metachronous Aneurysms in Women With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is three to five times more common among men compared with women, yet up to 38% of all aneurysm related deaths affect women. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of synchronous or metachronous aneurysms among women with AAA, as diagnosis and treatment could improve survival. This is a retrospective study of prospectively registered patients. All women operated on, or under surveillance for, AAA were identified at two Swedish hospitals. Aneurysms in different locations were identified using available imaging studies. Aneurysms were defined according to location: thoracic ascending aorta ≥42mm, descending ≥33mm, abdominal aorta ≥30mm, common iliac artery ≥20mm or 50% wider than the contralateral artery, common femoral artery ≥12mm, popliteal artery ≥10mm. A total of 339 women with an AAA were included. The median follow up was 2.8 (range 0-15.7) years. Thirty-one per cent had an aneurysm in the thoracic aorta (67 of 217 investigated, 84% were located in the descending aorta), 13 (19%) underwent repair. Twelve per cent had a common iliac artery aneurysm (24/259, 76% were investigated). Common femoral artery aneurysms were identified in 4.3% (8/184, 54% investigated). Popliteal artery aneurysms were identified in 4.0% (6/149, 44% investigated). The prevalence of infrainguinal aneurysms was higher among patients with synchronous iliac aneurysms (40% vs. 1.6%, OR 42, 95% CI 6.4-279, p<.001). Thoracic aortic aneurysms are common among women with AAA, most commonly affecting the descending aorta, and detection frequently results in repair. Popliteal and femoral aneurysms are not rare among women with AAA, and even common if there is a synchronous iliac aneurysm.

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.