Figure 1.

Schematic diagram illustrating experimental design. CT scans of participating patients (1) were converted into 3D reconstructions (2) and the Diacom™ files analyzed by FEA (3) to provide a three dimensional stress distribution of the AAA. Red color corresponds to highest wall stress whilst blue for lowest wall stress. The FEA were then overlaid onto the 3D CT in the theatre, and the biopsies harvested (4). Of 11 patients recruited, seven paired biopsies were harvested for analysis. In four patients one or other of the biopsy sites were not in an accessible location. AAA = abdominal aortic aneurysm; FEA = finite element analysis.