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Fig. 1. —Drawing shows enlarging aortic aneurysm. First, wall tension is proportional to vessel radius, according to Laplace's law: T = P x r, where T is circumferential wall tension, P is transmural pressure, and r is mean vessel radius. Second, increased tension stress from blood pressure results in progressive vessel dilatation and weakening of aortic media, which lead to enlargement of aortic aneurysm. Third, when mechanical stress on wall exceeds strength of wall tissue, aortic aneurysm ruptures.