Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has been considered as an independent risk factor for arteriosclerotic diseases. With an anticipation that Lp(a) would also serve as a risk factor for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), we analyzed serum and tissue Lp(a) levels of patients with AAA in relation to those in healthy individuals. Serum Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in the AAA group (53.2±60.8mg/dl) than in the healthy controls (14.6±13.6mg/d) (p<0.001). The Lp(a) level in the aneurysmal wall of patients with AAA was 49.8±38.2ng/mg. There was a significant correlation between serum and aneurysmal wall Lp(a) levels in AAA patients (r²=0.79, p<0.01). Immunohistochemical examination revealed Lp(a) in the extracellular matrix of the middle layer of the tunica intima, but not in the tunica media or externa.

There are various problems associated with the surgical management of concomitant abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and gastrointestinal malignancy. Our surgical strategy for the treatment of concomitant AAA and gastrointestinal malignant diseases, with the exception of colorectal diseases is basically a one-stage operation. This report reviews 6 cases involving concomitant AAA and gastrointestinal malignancy (colon cancer in 3 cases, gastric cancer in 2 and hepatoma in one). In 2 cases involving gastric cancer, we selected a one-stage operation for the coexistent AAA and gastrointestinal malignancy. The postoperative courses were uneventful. In a 69-yearold man with concomitant AAA, hepatoma and ischemic heart disease, a hepatectomy and coronary revascularization preceded AAA repair because the AAA diameter was too small. AAA repair was performed after 4 months when its diameter had been enlarged. In one of the 3 cases involving concomitant AAA and colon cancer, the malignancy was resected first and the patient died of recurrence 7 months after the operation and prior to the operation for AAA. In the second case of colon cancer, AAA repair preceded the resection of the malignancy. A right hemicolectomy was performed 53 days after the AAA operation. The third case had a one-stage operation for coexistent AAA and colon cancer. His postoperative course was uneventful. In this case, we took particular care to avoid graft infection. The 5 cases that underwent both operations have survived without major complications or evidence of recurrence during a follow-up period ranging from 2 months to 4 years.