Abdominal aortic aneurysm pathogenesis

The figure briefly summarizes aneurysmogenesis in the infrarenal aorta, which is susceptible to aneurysm development due to its embryology, histology, and unique hemodynamic forces. Inflammation, especially via inhibition of IFN-gamma, further degrades the strength elements of the aorta (ie, collagen, elastin, extracellular matrix proteins). Eventually, the infrarenal aorta weakens and enlarges, resulting in aneurysm.