Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Identical Twins

Anatomical similarity of abdominal aortic aneurysms in monozygotic twins

We report the anatomical similarity of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) regarding morphology and visceral vessel relations with three-dimensional computed tomography in monozygotic twins, both of whom had the left accessory renal artery, patent inferior mesenteric artery and bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms without aortic wall calcification and mural thrombus in the same fashion. Both twins underwent AAA open repair for enlargement of it at the same age. Genetic contributions might be strongly associated with morphology and visceral vessel relations of AAAs in monozygotic twins.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm, glaucoma and deafness: a new familial syndrome

Several reports have suggested a genetic basis for the distribution of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in some families. The familial clustering of this disease is further demonstrated in this report of ten siblings, five of whom have confirmed AAA. This is the largest cluster so far reported. The majority of patients in this family group also have glaucoma and/or deafness.

Pathogenesis of acquired aneurysms of the abdominal aorta

The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm has recently increased. There is still no accurate definition of abdominal aortic aneurysm. The diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysms is the only factor permitting evaluation of the risk of rupture of aneurysms whose growth remains unpredictable. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a multi-factorial disease associated with aortic aging and atheroma. It differs from stenotic disease by the intensity of degenerative or destructive phenomena in the media. Particular hemodynamic conditions in the infrarenal abdominal aorta seem to enhance the development of aneurysm at this level. While certain constitutional anomalies of the extracellular matrix of proteins seem to enhance the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm, protease activity of as yet undetermined origin also seems to play a prominent role. Family cases of abdominal aortic aneurysms have been reported but the mechanisms responsible remain to be determined. Several genetic markers have been suggested. The most reliable marker of aortic aneurysm is arteriomegaly.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm: results of a family study

Data pertaining to abdominal aortic aneurysm among first-degree relatives of 91 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm are presented. The percentage of families with at least one affected first-degree relative of the proband (multiplex families) was 15.4%. In 21.4% of multiplex families parent-offspring transmission of abdominal aortic aneurysm was noted; in the remaining families only siblings were affected. The mean age at onset among probands was 67.3 years; that among all affected was 67.4 years. No statistically significant difference in the mean ages at onset between genders was noted. Among affected siblings of probands, the sex ratio, male:female, was 1.33:1, which is not significantly different from 1:1. The relative risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm was 3.97 for fathers, 4.03 for mothers, 9.92 for brothers, and 22.93 for sisters.

On the inheritance of abdominal aortic aneurysm

To determine the mode of inheritance of abdominal aortic aneurysm, data on first-degree relatives of 91 probands were collected. Results of segregation analysis performed on these data are reported. Many models, including nongenetic and genetic models, were compared using likelihood methods. The nongenetic model was rejected; statistically significant evidence in favor of a genetic model was found. Among the many genetic models compared, the most parsimonious genetic model was that susceptibility to abdominal aortic aneurysm is determined by a recessive gene at an autosomal diallelic major locus. A multifactorial component in addition to the major locus does not increase the likelihood of the data significantly.