Are cerebral aneurysms atherosclerotic?

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The aim of our study was to investigate plasma and genetic risk factors for rupture of cerebral aneurysms. Methods In London, a case-control study was made of 56 consecutive patients admitted to a regional neurosurgical service for treatment of ruptured cerebral aneurysm and of 93 control subjects. A further 40 consecutive patients admitted in Arhus with ruptured cerebral aneurysm also were studied. Results The British case-control study showed that smoking was associated with an increased risk of ruptured cerebral aneurysm (odds ratio, 9.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.4 to 23.8; P 10 pack years). After age and sex adjustment, factors associated with ruptured cerebral aneurysm included a cholesterol concentration in the highest tertile (^6.3 mmol/L; odds ratio, 10.2; 95% CI, 3.9 to 26.7; P <1.1 mmol/L; odds ratio, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.4 to 8.2; P