title: Natural history of the ectatic aorta.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define the natural history of ectatic abdominal aortas and to assess the clinical need for follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Abdominal aortas were considered ectatic if they were diffusely and irregularly dilated with a diameter less than 3 cm. Ectatic aortas were identified either by AAA screening or as incidental findings. Patients who had only one scan were excluded from the study. Clinical data were analysed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two district general hospitals in Wales and England.
  
  
  METHODS
  116 patients (90 men).
  
  
  RESULTS
  : The median age of patients was 71 years (range 48-90). Co-existing risk factors included hypertension (75), IHD (22), PVD (8), diabetes (3), COAD (14), stroke (5), popliteal aneurysm (1), malignant disease (3) and 4 had a family history of AAA. The median follow-up was 24 months (range 5-72). The median and maximum growth rate of the ectatic aortas were 0.65 and 14.4 mm/year respectively. In three patients the expansion rate was more than 5 mm/year. In 22 patients the ectatic aorta became aneurysmal, reaching a diameter greater than 3 cm. There were no ruptures and no elective repairs. Two deaths occurred due to IHD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  : This study demonstrates that if ectatic aortas do expand they do so very slowly. However, 22 of the 116 (19%) became aneurysmal in a follow-up of two years. Once identified ectatic aortas should be scanned at intervals of three years.
authors.affiliation: Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Ynsmaerdy, Llantrisant, Wales, UK.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Basnyat
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aiono
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Warsi
authors.forename: T R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Galland
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors