Risk factors for atherosclerosis in men with stenosing or aneurysmal disease of the abdominal aorta.

Abstract

Risk factors associated with atherosclerosis were compared in 2 groups of men: with aneurysmal dilatation (AAA) or stenosing disease (SAD) of the infrarenal aorta. In the AAA group (N = 114) the median aortic diameter was 6.9 cm and 89% of patients had undergone elective or emergency surgical repair. In the SAD group (N = 57) an equal proportion had had an aortobifemoral bypass, the median aortic diameter was 1.8 cm. Men with AAA were older (73 years vs 68 years; p < 0.001). There were no differences in total cholesterol and triglycerides between the two but men with AAA had a higher HDL-cholesterol concentration (1.22 mmol/l vs 1.08 mmol/l; p = 0.019). Tobacco consumption in the 2 groups was similar (36.5 pack years vs 35.0 pack years; p = 0.387). After correction for age, diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in the AAA group. In both groups there is extensive aortic atherosclerosis but differences between the two groups indicate that stenosing and dilating disease are distinct pathological entities.