Epidemiology of abdominal aortic aneurysms

• Published in: Seminars in vascular surgery Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 29 - 37
• Main Authors: Marcaccio, Christina L., Schermerhorn, Marc L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2021
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - diagnostic imaging; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - epidemiology; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal - therapy; Female; Health Status Disparities; Healthcare Disparities; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Race Factors; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Surgery; Treatment Outcome; United States - epidemiology; United States
• ISSN: 0895-7967; 1558-4518; 1558-4518
• DOI: 10.1053/j.semvascsurg.2021.02.004

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disease remains a major source of morbidity in developed countries and can progress to life-threatening rupture if left untreated, with exceedingly high mortality. The goal of AAA management is to identify and electively repair AAAs before rupture. AAA disease burden and outcomes have improved over time with declining tobacco use and advancements in care across patients’ disease course. The introduction of endovascular AAA repair, in particular, has allowed for elective AAA repair in patients previously considered too high risk for open surgery and has contributed to lower rates of AAA rupture over time. However, these improved outcomes are not universally experienced, and disparities continue to exist in the detection, treatment, and outcomes of AAA by sex, race, and ethnicity. Mitigating these disparities requires enhanced, focused efforts at preventing disease, promoting health, and delivering appropriate care among an increasingly diverse patient population.