# Sexual Dimorphism in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm—Insights from Clinical and Experimental Studies

## TL;DR

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is more common in men but more dangerous for women, and this paper reviews recent efforts to understand these sex differences.

## Contribution

The paper provides a synthesis of recent clinical and preclinical studies on sex-specific factors in AAA.

## Key findings

- AAA is three times more prevalent in males than in females.
- Females face a higher risk of rupture and worse surgical outcomes.
- Current management lacks sex-specific stratification due to limited understanding of underlying mechanisms.

## 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.