Arterial dimensions in the lower extremities of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms--no indications of a generalized dilating diathesis.

PURPOSE

This study assessed whether there is a dilating diathesis in peripheral arteries of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).

METHODS

The anteroposterior diameters of the common femoral artery (CFA) and popliteal artery (PA) were measured in 183 consecutive patients with an AAA (158 men, 25 women; age range, 57-78 years) before elective surgery on the AAA and compared with that of healthy age-matched control subjects. The diameter registrations were performed on the right leg by using a noninvasive echo-tracking ultrasound scanning technique.

RESULTS

Eight CFA aneurysms and four PA aneurysms were found in the male patients with AAAs. Of the patients with AAAs in the CFA and in the PA who were investigated, 46% and 49%, respectively, were affected by peripheral vascular occlusive disease (PVOD). The CFA diameters in the patients with AAAs were 97.8% of those in healthy control subjects (P = not significant [NS]). After exclusion of the CFA aneurysms, the diameters were 92.7% of those in healthy control subjects (P = .0003). If patients with PVOD were also excluded, the CFA diameters were 95.2% of those in healthy control subjects (P = .022). The PA diameters in the patients with AAAs were 97.8% of those in healthy control subjects (P = NS). If PA aneurysms were excluded, the diameters were 94.4% of those in healthy control subjects (P = .0003). If patients with PVOD were also excluded, the PA diameters were 96.1% of those in healthy control subjects (P = NS).

CONCLUSION

After excluding the few patients with AAAs who had peripheral aneurysmal disease and the patients with PVOD, no dilating diathesis in CFAs and PAs was found. This supports the hypothesis that specific genetic, or other factors, not present in most AAAs are responsible for the occurrence of concomitant peripheral aneurysms. Furthermore, the generalized vascular dilating diathesis seen in some patients seems to be a specific entity that was not necessarily affiliated with AAA disease.