Arterial hypertension - risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abstract

There is a growing number of clinical evidence indicating that prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysms is growing in hypertensive patients and in the general population, especially in groups older than 50 years. Current estimates of the incidence of aortic abdominal aneurysms are variable partially due to the lack of universally accepted definitions of the disease. There is lack of knowledge on the mechanisms responsible for the initiation and propagation of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The mediators of abdominal aortic aneurysms formation have not been clearly defined. There is a growing body of literature demonstrating a role of angiotensin II in the development of the disease. As described in this review, abdominal aortic aneurysms have effect on the morbidity and mortality of a large portion of the elderly population.