We report the case of 3 male triplets, 2 of whom, both lifelong smokers, presented with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) within 24 hours of each other. One survived surgery but the other died from the rupture. The third brother, an ex-smoker, was found to have an ectatic aorta and was placed into a surveillance program. This case highlights and discusses the combination of genetic and environmental factors that underpin the etiology of aneurysms and demonstrates the importance of assessing first-degree relatives of patients presenting with AAA.
Kuivaniemi H. , Shibamura H., Arthur C., et al. Familial abdominal aortic aneurysms: collection of 233 multiplex families. J Vasc Surg. 2003;37(2):340-345.
4.
Bown MJ, Braund PS, Thompson J., London NJM, Samani NJ, Sayers RDAssociation between the coronary artery disease risk locus on chromosome 9p21.3 and abdominal aortic aneurysm. Cardiovasc Genet. 2008;1:39-42.
5.
Sandford RM, Bown MJ, London NJ, Sayers RDThe genetic basis of abdominal aortic aneurysms: a review. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2007;33(4):381-390.
