Abdominal aortic aneurysms

Abstract

The standard definition of an arterial aneurysm is a permanent, localized dilation of an artery with at least a 50% increase in diameter when compared to the normal expected diameter of the vessel.1 The diameter of the infrarenal aorta, the most common extracranial location for arterial aneurysms, is normally less than 2 cm. Thus, most studies use an aortic diameter of 3 cm or greater to define the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Data from multiple screening studies using this definition have determined the prevalence of AAA to range from 4% to 8% in elderly individuals.2,3 © 2008 Springer New York.