The association between venous structural alterations and biomechanical weakness in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objective: Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are associated with generalized arterial dilation, torturosity, and altered matrix composition, which suggests a generalized systemic weakness throughout the entire vasculature. The aim of this study was to determine whether this phenomenon was present in the venous tissue of patients with AAA.

Methods: A segment of inferior mesenteric vein was harvested from patients who underwent aneurysm repair (n = 11) or colectomy for diverticulosis (n = 11; control).