Hemodynamics in Human Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms During Rest and Simulated Exercise

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAAs) — the localized enlargement of the abdominal aorta — represent the 13^th leading cause of death in the United States. The natural progression of small (3–5 cm) AAAs is 2–6% growth per year until rupture or surgical repair [1]. As AAAs enlarge, adverse hemodynamic conditions (including regions of low mean wall shear stress and high particle residence time) are exacerbated under normal resting conditions.