An increase in incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm is predicted as an extension of the advancing age of our population. Novel strategies for treatment and prevention need to be considered. Interdisciplinary approaches to this disease will aid in prevention and treatment. This volume will integrate new insights into the etiology and pathology of aneurismal disease, including physiologic and genetic causes. Several educational objectives have been met in this volume. The contributors assess the benefits of risk of rupture assessment at different ages and thresholds of abdominal aortic aneurysm in the context of epidemiologic studies, examine the use of animal models in the study of abdominal aortic aneurysm and its underlying pathobiology, and integrate data on susceptibility and genetic causes of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The increase in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is viewed from the perspective of epidemiology, and initiatives to prevent death from rupture are discussed. Animal models and their relevance to pathophysiology and prevention are also presented, and the interventional pharmacology is also considered from the perspective of enzymology. In addition, chapters covering the biological aspects of the endovascular devices used to repair abdominal aortic aneurysm and the molecular biology and immunology in abdominal aortic aneurysm are included. NOTE: Annals volumes are available for sale as individual books or as a journal. For information on institutional journal subscriptions, please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com/nyas. ACADEMY MEMBERS: Please contact the New York Academy of Sciences directly to place your order (www.nyas.org). Members of the New York Academy of Science receive full-text access to the Annals online and discounts on print volumes. Please visit http://www.nyas.org/MemberCenter/Join.aspx for more information about becoming a member