title: Prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm and large infrarenal aorta in patients with acute coronary syndrome and proven coronary stenosis: a prospective monocenter study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in patients with coronary heart disease. The aims of this prospective study were to evaluate the prevalence of AAA and of large abdominal aorta in patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome and coronary stenosis of 50% or greater.
  
  
  METHODS
  AAA ultrasound screening was prospectively performed in 306 patients after they gave informed consent. AAA and large abdominal aorta were defined by maximum anteroposterior diameter of 30 mm or greater and of 20 to 29 mm, respectively. Patient characteristics were prospectively collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for AAA and large abdominal aorta. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AAAs were diagnosed in 20 patients (6.6%). Mean diameter was 33 +/- 3.7 mm, and median diameter [min--max] was 31 mm [30 - 45 mm]. All except one AAA were between 30 and 40 mm. No AAAs were detected in patients younger than 50 years. Prevalence reached 7.7% in patients older than 50 years. Using stepwise logistic regression analysis, age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04. 95% confidence [CI] 1.00-1.09 per year of age, p = 0.06) and previous coronary events (OR 2.44, 95% CI 0.96-6.25, p = 0.06) showed a borderline significant association with AAA. Large infrarenal aortic diameter was observed in 32% of patients. Age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.05 per year of age, p < 0.0001), male gender (OR 16.7, 95% CI 6.25-50.0, p < 0.0001), and overweight (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.4, p = 0.01) showed a significant independent association with large aorta.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AAA and large infrarenal aorta prevalence seems high in patients with acute coronary syndrome and proven coronary stenosis of 50% or greater. Previous coronary events and older age might be associated with higher risk of AAA, and age, male gender, and obesity are significantly associated with large infrarenal aorta. If these results are confirmed in larger studies, further guidelines concerning AAA screening in this well-defined population should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Reims, Reims, France. along@chu-reims.fr
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Huu Tri
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Bui
authors.forename: Coralie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barbe
authors.forename: Amine Hadj
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Henni
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Journet
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Metz
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nazeyrollas
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography