Generalized arteriomegaly. A possible predisposition to the formation of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Studies of patients with arteriomegaly have suggested that an increased incidence of aneurysms occurs in patients with unusually large arteries. However, as far as we know, a study of comparative arterial sites in consecutive patients with aneurysms has not been reported previously. We have compared the diameters of the suprarenal abdominal aortas and iliac arteries in concurrent consecutive series of 12 male patients with aneurysms and 12 male patients with atherosclerotic occlusive disease. These vessels remote from the aneurysms were 40% to 48% larger in diameter in the aneurysmal group by both angiography and direct measurement. In addition, the patients with aneurysms were found to be taller and to have a greater mean body surface area. Possible implications of these findings relevant to the pathogenesis of aneurysms are suggested.