Exam 8: Epidemiology of Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection

Aneurysms of the descending aortic usually involve atherosclerotic damage to both the tunica intima and tunica media.

Pre-existing cardiovascular conditions such as ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, hypertension and peripheral artery disease increase the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The presence of a bicuspid aortic valve increases the risk for developing an aneurysm of the ascending aorta.

Rupture and dissection of an aortic aneurysm is usually preceded by symptoms.

What is the dominant risk factor for aneurysms of the descending and abdominal aorta?

Aortic aneurysm is defined as dilatation or outpouching of the aorta with a diameter that is 50% greater than normal.

What is the trend in annual prevalence of PAD since 2000?

What is the trend of annual age-specific mortality rates of aortic aneurysms since 1990?

What is the trend in the annual number of deaths from aortic aneurysms since 1990?

What is the approximate number of people living with PAD in the world population?

Discuss causes of aneurysms of the descending and abdominal aorta.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is characterized by all of the following symptoms except:

The incidence and prevalence of aortic aneurysms has declined over the past several decades.

What is the pattern of inheritance of Marfan syndrome?

Discuss the mortality from PAD.

Medial necrosis characterizes thoracic aortic aneurysms.

What ethnic group in the United States has the highest prevalence of PAD?

Discuss Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and aortic aneurysms.

Medial necrosis refers to degeneration and fragmentation of elastic fibers and loss of smooth muscle cells in the tunica media of the arterial wall.

Discuss causes of aneurysms of the ascending aorta.