Factors Associated with the Progression of Aortic Aneurysms: A Single-Center Experience

Abstract

Aortic aneurysms (AA) have a significant mortality rate in population. We aimed to identify the etiologic factors associated with thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Our study included 181 patients; 98 patients diagnosed with TAA or AAA made up the aortic aneurysm (AA) group, 83 patients without either condition made up the control group. Within the AA group, 72.4% of the patients were male, the patients had been diagnosed with TAA and AAA in ratio of 57.1% and 42.9% respectively. All AA group patients had an aortic diameter in range from 41 to 108 mm. Initial serum biochemical measures, two consecutive computed tomography angiography measurements were recorded, the enlargement rate per year for the aorta was calculated for all. The mean age in the AA group was 62.89±13.55 compared to 68.10±11.69 in the control group (p=0.007), higher ratio for hypertension (p=0.021). TAA patients had a higher AST level (p=0.016) and platelet counts (p=0.010) compared to control group. AAA patients had a higher mean neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (p=0.044) compared to control group. Among the patients with AAA, 90.5 % were male. Smoking was more prevalent in the abdominal AA group (p=0.08). An enlargement rate of more than 1 cm/year was detected in 25% of the patients with TAA and in 75% of the patients with AAA. TAA was associated with higher AST levels and higher platelet counts than were in the AAA group, whereas AAA showed strong relationships with male gender and smoking.