Sexual Dimorphism in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm-Insights from Clinical and Experimental Studies.

Abstract

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a prevalent vascular disease with high mortality rates upon rupture. AAA features a distinct sexual dimorphism, with a prevalence three times higher in males than in females. Interestingly, females are faced with a greater risk of rupture and a worse prognosis following surgical repairs. Nevertheless, stratified approaches for managing and predicting outcomes of AAA in male and female patients remain limited, largely hindered by our incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying this sex dimorphism. In this article, we will summarize the recent clinical and preclinical efforts aimed at understanding the therapeutic and mechanistic implications of sex-specific factors shaping AAA.