The relationship between aortic diameter and body habitus.

Nine hundred and six men between the ages of 65 and 74 years were screened to determine whether there was a correlation between abdominal aortic diameter and body size. There was no correlation between aortic diameter and weight or obesity but there was a significant correlation with height and age. Sequential enlargement of the aorta was observed in 57 men with aortic diameters above the normal range, none of these were characterised by one particular body habitus: it is suggested that patients in this group should be rescanned regularly.