Evidence from cross-sectional imaging indicates abdominal but not thoracic aortic aneurysms are local manifestations of a systemic dilating diathesis

A clear understanding of the pathophysiology of aortic aneurysms is essential. Observational studies have raised the suspicion that abdominal aortic aneurysms are a local representation of a systemic disease of the vasculature. Whether aneurysms of the thoracic aorta have a similar systemic tendency is unknown. Validation of this will open broader avenues of research clarifying understanding of the initiating factors of aneurysms and whether all aneurysms distributed through the arterial tree share the same etiology. This may in turn identify systemic treatments that eventually may allow targeted pharmaceutical management of small aortic aneurysms.