Flow-mediated effects on abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are a common and lethal disease of the elderly. 'Atherosclerotic' aneurysms occur far more frequently in the caudal or infrarenal segment, a localization influenced at least in part by site-specific hemodynamic conditions. Alterations in aortic flow and wall shear stress modify AAA disease progression in small animal models and may explain increased prevalence in certain at-risk patient populations. If a specific hemodynamic risk profile can be established, anti-aneurysmal lower extremity exercise protocols or the development of molecular interventions that mimic the benefits induced by exercise may prove effective in reducing progression of small AAAs or limiting continued remodeling or expansion following endovascular exclusion.
Tedesco
Maureen M
MM
Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Suite H3642, Stanford, CA 94305-5642, USA. tedescom@stanford.edu
Dalman
Ronald L
RL