Increased cardiovascular risk without generalized arterial dilating diathesis in persons who do not have abdominal aortic aneurysm but who are first‐degree relatives of abdominal aortic aneurysm…

Rachel De Basso, Thomas Sandgren, Åsa Rydén Ahlgren, Toste Länne

There is a strong genetic predisposition for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), but it is unknown whether first-degree relatives to AAA patients but without AAA have a generalized dilating diathesis, defect arterial wall mechanics or increased cardiovascular risk. The aims of the study was to investigate arterial diameters and wall mechanics at multiple arterial sites in these subjects and compare them with controls without a family history of AAA. 118 first-degree relatives to patients with AAA and 66 controls were included (40-80 years). The abdominal aorta, carotid artery, common femoral artery, and popliteal artery were investigated by Echo-tracking ultrasound. The relatives had no arterial dilatation, but rather a tendency of smaller diameters than controls. Relatives had higher heart rate (HR), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) than controls. The distensibility coefficient (DC) and the compliance coefficient (CC) were decreased in all arteries in male relatives, adjusted for age and smoking, which was normalized when adjusting for MAP and HR. Female relatives had lower CC in the abdominal aorta, adjusted for age and smoking. When adjusting for MAP and HR, the difference disappeared. No general arterial dilatation in relatives to AAA patients but without AAA was found, supporting the hypothesis that the dilating diathesis is linked to the aneurysmal manifestation in the abdominal aorta. Although the threat of aneurysmal dilatation and rupture seems to be lacking in these subjects, heart rate, blood pressure, and arterial wall stiffness were all increased which may indicate a higher risk of developing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.