European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery : the official journal of the European Society for Vascular Surgery
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Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg · Sep 2008
ReviewPotential circulating biomarkers for abdominal aortic aneurysm expansion and rupture--a systematic review.
The maximal diameter of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is the dominating indication for repair. However half of the AAAs repaired would never have ruptured if left unrepaired, although small AAAs occasionally rupture. Earlier surgery may be associated with a lower mortality. More precise indicators for surgery are warranted. This systematic review identifies potential systemic biomarkers for AAA rupture or expansion. ⋯ Several circulating agents in peripheral blood may predict AAA size, expansion rate or rupture. Few of them have clinical potential for future use. Confirmative studies and development of multivariate models are needed, together with continuing search for new biomarkers using the discovery based sciences within proteomics and/or genomics.