[Misleading study in The Lancet on the outcome of the Swedish AAA screening program].

In a recent publication in The Lancet Johansson and colleagues claim no effect on aneurysm mortality among men participating in the Swedish AAA screening program, and question its justification. The study is, however, limited by a corrupt study design and incorrect data, making the publication misleading. On the contrary, several RCTs and contemporary nationwide data with sufficient follow-up clearly show that AAA screening saves lives and is highly cost-effective.

Early inflammatory response in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Multiorgan failure is the main cause of death in patients operated for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA). The systemic inflammatory response plays a central role in the generation and maintenance of multiorgan dysfunction. The aim of the current study was to investigate the inflammatory response preoperatively in patients with ruptured and nonruptured AAA in relation to the clinical outcome.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm and cytomegalovirus infection.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Abdominal aortic aneurysm is regarded traditionally as a consequence of atherosclerosis. Several microorganisms have been suggested as possible contributing factors for the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm and infection with CagA positive strains of Helicobacter pylori.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether virulent CagA positive Helicobacter pylori strains are those preferentially related to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture. Several microorganisms have been linked to aneurysm development. Chronic Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection has been suggested as a possible contributing factor for the development and expansion of AAA.

Lack of association between Chlamydophila pneumoniae seropositivity and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Chronic Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection has been suggested as a possible contributing factor for the development and expansion of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The relevance of C pneumoniae involved in the processes underlying aneurysmal rupture is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between C pneumoniae seropositivity and AAA rupture.