Aim To study the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and related genes in abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA). Methods 22 AAA specimens were collected and 6 normal abdominal aorta tissue were used as control. Northern blot was used to evaluate the expression of HIF-1α mRNA. Western blot and immunohistochemistry method was used to determine the expression of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and erythropoietin (EPO). Microvessel density(MVD) was also studied. Results The expression of HIF-1α was significantly higher in AAA than that in normal abdominal aorta (p<0.01). The expression of VEGF and EPO were also higher in AAA (p<0.01). Most of the positive cells located in VSMC and adventitia of AAA. The MVD counts were higher in AAA. Conclusion HIF-1α may have an important role in the onset of AAA, which may be obtained by promoting the expression of VEGF and EPO.