title: Pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
abstract: The pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm involves many factors acting over time. However, destruction of elastin in the aortic wall is a key event that shifts the load produced by blood pressure on to collagen. This is exacerbated in the presence of hypertension. Smoking and age are further important factors, as is the site; elastic lamellae are relatively less common in the abdominal aorta. Once the shielding effect of elastin is lost, further dilatation and rupture of the aorta depend on the physical properties of the collagen present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Charing Cross and Westminster Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: MacSweeney
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Greenhalgh
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000473:pathology; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications; D003094:Collagen / Q000502:physiology; D004549:Elastin / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007249:Inflammation; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin