Abstract

Diabetes and the Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Author(s): Ricky Jhonson

The aim of this review is to delineate the association between abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) and diabetes mellitus. Mechanisms for the underlying association are then discussed. Whilst the evidence that diabetes has an inverse relationship with aortic diameter may not aid the immediate management of AAA, it may help to identify high-risk groups for screening. Additionally, this observation may help demonstrate the differing cellular mechanisms behind aneurysmal and atherosclerotic disease, and in turn rationalise the search for pharmacological interventions of small AA.