Pathogenesis of aortic aneurysm

[Extract] Over the last decade aortic aneurysm has gained increased focus for a number of reasons. Firstly, the widespread use of imaging and screening in some countries has resulted in greater detection of the condition. Secondly since the condition is much more common in the elderly the number of patiems with the problem is projected to increase progressively with the rising average age of the population. Surgical and endovascular treatments have not been shown to reduce mortality for patients with small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and thus other therapies are required to deal effectively with the large group of patients being identified with small AAAs