Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is a member of the PYHIN (pyrin and HIN 
domain-containing protein) family with important roles in sensing 
double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and assembling the AIM2 inflammasome, which has 
wide-ranging, pro-inflammatory and pro-pyroptotic properties. The AIM2 
inflammasome can become activated in atherosclerotic plaque, abdominal aortic 
aneurysm wall and injured myocardium, and its activation is tightly regulated by 
a variety of atherogenic factors. Activation of the AIM2 inflammasome has close 
links to the progression of several cardiovascular diseases. This review will 
summarize the current knowledge of AIM2 biology, providing the latest insights 
into the mechanisms and contributions of atherogenic factors to AIM2 
inflammasome activation. In addition, we will also explore crosstalk between 
AIM2 and the pathologies of atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, 
myocardial infarction and heart failure. A better understanding of the 
pathological roles of AIM2 in these disorders will be helpful in developing 
novel therapeutic approaches.