Vessel dimensions in premature altheromatous disease of aortic bifurcation.

The area ratio of the abdominal aortic bifurcation is defined as the ratio of the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the common iliac arteries to the cross-sectional area of the aorta. Abnormality of the area ratio is associated with initiation of atheroma of the lower aorta. Hypoplasia of the abdominal aorta predisposes to early occlusion as the atheromatous process advances.In five out of six women with thrombosis at the aortic bifurcation the area ratio was low. Hypoplasia of the abdominal aorta was present in two of these patients. All six patients were successfully treated by aortoiliac disobliteration and reconstruction.