Pharmacotherapy in Clinical Trials for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Objective

There is no medical treatment proven to limit abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression. This systematic review aimed to summarise available trial evidence on the efficacy of pharmacotherapy in limiting AAA growth and AAA-related events.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed to examine the efficacy of pharmacotherapy in reducing AAA growth and AAA-related events. Pubmed, Embase (Excerpta Medica Database), and the Cochrane library were searched from March, 1999 to March 29, 2022. AAA growth (mm/year) in the intervention and control groups was expressed as mean and standard deviation (SD). The results of AAA growth were expressed as mean difference (MD) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for the AAA-related events.Heterogeneity was quantified using the I² statistic. Forest plots were created to show the pooled results of each outcome.

Outcomes

A total of 1373 articles were found in different databases according to the search strategy, and 10 articles were identified by hand searching. A total of 26 articles were included in our systematic review after the screening. For the studies of metformin, the meta-analysis demonstrated that metformin use was associated with a lower AAA growth rate (MD: −0.81 mm/y, 95% CI: −1.19 to −0.42, P < 0.0001, I² = 87%), Metformin use also was related to the lower rates of AAA-related events (OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.36 to 0.76, P = 0.0007, I² = 60%). The hypotensive drugs of the studies mainly included angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARB), and propranolol. The overall meta-analysis of blood pressure-lowering drugs reported no significant effect in limiting the AAA growth (MD: 0.31mm/year, 95%CI: −0.03 to 0.65, P = 0.07, I² = 66%) and AAA-related events (OR: 1.33, 95%CI: 0.76 to 2.32, P = 0.32, I² = 98%), In the subgroup analysis of the hypotensive drugs, the ACEI/ARB and propranolol also showed no significant in reducing the AAA growth and AAA-related events. The meta-analysis of the antibiotics demonstrated that the antibiotics were not associated with a lower AAA growth rate (MD: −0.27 mm/y, 95% CI: −0.88 to 0.34, P = 0.39, I² = 77%) and AAA-related events (OR: 0.94, 95%CI: 0.65 to 1.35, P = 0.72, I² = 0%). The results of statins also showed no significant effect in limiting AAA growth (MD: −1.11mm/year, 95%CI: −2.38 to 0.16, P = 0.09, I² = 96%) and AAA-related events (OR: 0.53, 95%CI: 0.26 to 1.06, P = 0.07, I² = 92%).

Conclusion

In conclusion, effective pharmacotherapy for AAA was still lacking. Although the meta-analysis showed that metformin use was associated with lower AAA growth and AAA-related events, all of the included studies about metformin were cohort studies or case-control studies. More randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed for further verification.

Introduction

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is characterized by permanent, localized dilations of the abdominal aorta, defined as having diameters 1.5 times greater than normal. ¹ Most patients with AAA are asymptomatic until the aneurysm rupture, while the rupture can bring high mortality. The ruptured AAA, symptomatic AAA, larger AAA(>5.5 cm), and the AAA with rapid expansion rate are recommended to be performed either by endovascular aortic repair(EVAR) or open repair surgery. Without repair, AAAs usually continue to enlarge, and increasing diameter also increases the risk of rupture. ² Thus, the drugs which can effectively limit the rupture risk and growth of AAA are needed.

Clinical studies have been performed to verify the efficacy of drugs to slow AAA growth or rupture risk. Metformin is the most well-established diabetes treatment, and it has been shown to limit the matrix remodeling and inflammation in AAA pathological mechanisms. ³ Blood pressure plays a vital role in the AAA progression, ⁴ and lower blood pressure is related to slower AAA growth ⁵ or rupture. ⁶ Blood pressure-lowering drugs are commonly used to manage AAA. Studies about AAA treated by antihypertensive medications have been reported in recent years, while not all drugs can inhibit AAA growth. ⁷ The antibiotics have been reported to reduce the AAA growth through multiple mechanisms, including anti-infective effects, anti-inflammatory and the downregulation of extracellular matrix remodelling. ⁸ Statins can promote the regression of atherosclerotic plaques and reduce vascular inflammation. ⁹ They have also been shown to reduce collagen breakdown by regulating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases, ¹⁰ statin therapy is associated with a reduction in AAA progression. ¹¹ In addition to these medications, other drugs on AAA growth have also been reported, such as stem cells, ¹² fenofibrate, ¹³ and ticagrelor, ¹⁴ but the number of these studies is relatively small.

With the emergence of a number of pharmacotherapy clinical trials on AAA, relevant meta-analysis needs to be updated and summarized. This systematic review aimed to summarise available trial evidence on the efficacy of drugs on AAA growth and AAA-related clinical events.

Method

Literature Search Strategy

The study was conducted according to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). ¹⁵ Pubmed, Embase (Excerpta Medica Database), and the Cochrane library were searched from March 1, 1999 to March 29, 2022. The term “aortic aneurysm, abdominal” was used across all fields. Focused searches including the terms “Drug Therapy” OR “Metformin” OR “Antihypertensive agent’OR “Antibiotic agent” OR “Statins’ were used to identify additional studies of relevance. Titles and abstracts were screened to identify studies for inclusion. If the suitability of an article was uncertain, the full text was reviewed.

Eligible Criteria

Two reviewers (Zhixiang Su, and Jianming Guo) independently reviewed all the articles. Any disagreements were settled by a third independent reviewer (Yongquan Gu). Randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies were included if they met the following criteria: Studies included AAA patients treated by drugs; AAA growth rate and AAA-related events (AAA rupture, repair, or related death) had been reported. Case reports and case series were excluded. Conference abstracts were considered if sufficient data were available for analysis.

Data Extraction and Quality Assessment

Two authors extracted data independently, checked for consistency, and negotiated with a third party in the event of ambiguity. The major data extracted included: first author, year of publication, study design, baseline diameter of AAA, sample size, follow-up time, AAA growth rate, and AAA-related events. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was applied to evaluate the risk of bias in randomized controlled trials. ¹⁶ The methodological quality of cohort studies and case control studies was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) (http://www.ohri.ca/programs/ clinical_epidemiology/ oxford.asp). Two authors completed data extraction and quality assessment independently. The discrepancy was eliminated after the discussion.

Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager (version 5.4). A meta-analysis was performed comparing AAA growth and AAA-related events in the intervention and control groups. AAA growth (mm/year) in the intervention and control groups was expressed as mean and standard deviation(SD), the results of AAA growth were expressed as mean difference(MD) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for the AAA-related events. Heterogeneity was quantitatively analyzed by I² and the significance level was set to 50%, which means the heterogeneity is significant among the studies when I² > 50%. The fixed effect model was used when there is no statistical heterogeneity. Analysis outcomes were performed with the random effects model when the statistical heterogeneity is significant. Eventually, we show the results with forest plots.

Results

Search, Screening, and Full-Text Review

A total of 1373 articles were found in different databases according to the search strategy, and 10 articles were identified by hand-searching, 1246 articles were retained after the removal of duplicates. Of the 1246 articles screened, 1183 were excluded, and 63 passed screening based on the title and abstract. Following full-text articles, 37 articles were excluded: repeated studies (6), conference abstract (5), reviews (4), experimental design only (5), clinical trial registration only (5), abstract only (6), insufficient information on AAA growth rate (6). A total of 26 articles were included in our systematic review (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses diagram illustrating the selection of the included trials.

Study Characteristics

A total of 26 studies were included. 10 studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 13 studies were cohort studies, and 3 studies were case-control studies. Among them, 6 trials were for metformin (Unosson 2020, ¹⁷ Itoga 2018, ¹⁸ Golledge 2018, ¹⁹ Katrine 2017, ²⁰ Golledge 2017, ²¹ Fujimura 2016, ^{3 )} 7 trials were for blood pressure-lowering drugs (Golledge 2020, ²² Bicknell 2016, ²³ Kristensen 2015, ²⁴ Sweeting 2010, ²⁵ Hackam 2006, ²⁶ Laupacis 2002, ²⁷ Lindholt 1999, ^{28 )} 6 trials were for antibiotics (Baxter2020, ²⁹ Meijer 2013, ³⁰ Karlsson 2009, ³¹ Høgh 2009, ³² Vammen 2001, ³³ Mosorin 2001, ^{34 )} 7 trials were for statins (Gokani 2015, ³⁵ Wemmelund 2014, ³⁶ Meij 2013, ³⁷ Ferguson 2010, ³⁸ Karrowni2011, ³⁹ Mosorin 2008, ⁴⁰ Schouten 2006. ^{41 )} The first author, year of publication, study design, baseline diameter of AAA, sample size, follow-up time, AAA growth rate, and AAA-related events were included in Table 1.

Table 1.

Summary of Included Studies.

	Country	Design	Drug	Baseline Diameter (mm)	Sample size	Follow-up Time(year)	AAA growth mm (SD) per year	P-value	AAA-related events	P-value
Metformin
Unosson, 2020 17	Sweden	RCS	Metformin(T2DM)	36.5 (5.9)	65	3.2 (1.7)	1.1 (1.1)	NA	NA	NA
			Without metformin(T2DM)	37.5 (6.0)	33		1.6 (1.4)
			No diabetes	38.2 (6.1)	428		2.3 (2.2)
Itoga, 2018 18	United States	RCS	Metformin	38.0 (7.1)	5492	4.2(2.6)	1.2 (1.9)	P < 0.001	NA	NA
			Diabetes not prescribed metformin		8342		1.5 (2.2)
Golledge, 2018 19	Australia	PCS	No diabetes	46.6(11.5)	846	2.5(3.3)	NA	NA	378	<0.001
			Diabetes not prescribed metformin	45.3(10.0)	105	2.2(2.9)			44
			Diabetes prescribed metformin	43.4（10.3)	129	3.2(3.3)			32
Katrine, 2017 20	Denmark	CC	Diabetes prescribed metformin	NA	1152	5	NA	NA	81	NA
			Diabetes not prescribed metformin		1875				184
Golledge, 2017 21	Australia and New Zealand	RCS(1)	Diabetes prescribed metformin	36.9(6.3)	118	3.6(2.4)	1.03(2.68)	0.012	NA	NA
			Diabetes not prescribed metformin		99		1.60(2.94)	0.217
			No diabetes		1140		1.62(2.45)
		RCS(2)	Diabetes prescribed metformin	40.9(7.3)	39	2.9(2.6)	1.40(2.99)	0.004	NA	NA
			Diabetes not prescribed metformin		30		2.18(2.96)	0.514
			No diabetes		218		2.55(3.04)
		RCS(3)	Diabetes prescribed metformin	NA	16	NA	0.37(1.28)	0.018	NA	NA
			Diabetes not prescribed metformin		3		0.95(1.18)	0.693
			No diabetes		34		1.46(1.52)
Fujimura, 2016 3	USA	RCS	Metformin(T2DM)	NA	43	2.6(0.3)	0.4(0.6)	NA	NA	NA
			Without metformin(T2DM)		15		1.7(0.5)
Hypotensive drugs
Golledge, 2020 22	Australia	RCT	Telmisartan	43.3 (4.8)	107	2	1.7（1.8）	0.663	11	0.52
			Placebo	43.1 (5.2)	103		1.8（1.8）		8
Bicknell, 2016 23	London	RCT	Perindopril	40.5 (6.5)	73	2	1.8（1.7）	0.78	10	0.85
			Amlodipine	40.3 (6.9)	72		1.8(1.7)	0.68	11
			Placebo	40.6 (6.7)	79		1.7（1.8）		11
Kristensen, 2015 24	Denmark	RCS	ACEIs	NA	1186	5	NA	NA	628	NA
			ARB	NA	467				304
			No ACEIs/ARB	NA	7788				2787
Sweeting, 2010 25	London	RCS	ACEIs	44.1 (7.4)	169	5.3	3.3（0.21）	0.009	NA	NA
			No ACEIs	42.7 (6.8)	1532		2.7（0.21）
Hackam, 2006 26	Canada	CC	ACEI	NA	3426	10	NA	NA	665	0.008
			No ACEI		11900				2714
Laupacis, 2002 27	Canada	RCT	Propranolol	3.92 (0.54)	276	2.5(1.1)	2.6（3.1）	0.11	57	NA
			Placebo	3.94 (0.53)	272		2.2（2.8）		73
Lindholt, 1999 28	Denmark	RCT	Propranolol	NA	30	NA	3.1(2.5)	0.7	7	NA
			Placebo		24		2.8(2.4)		5
Antibiotics
Baxter, 2020 29	United States	RCT	Doxycycline	4.3 (0.4)	129	2	3.6（2.1）	0.93	13	0.41
			Placebo	4.3 (0.4)	125		3.6（2.8）		9
Meijer, 2013 30	Netherlands	RCT	Doxycycline	43.0 (5.5)	144	1.5	2.8(2.1)	0.016	21	NA
			Placebo	43.1 (5.5)	142		2.1(2.1)		24
Karlsson, 2009 31	Sweden	RCT	Azithromycin	40(6.1)	122	1.5	2.2(1.8)	0.85	16	NA
			Placebo	40.3(5.2)	125		2.2(1.9)		13
Høgh 2009 32	Denmark	RCT	Roxithromycin	38.14 (5.7)	42	5.27(1.99)	1.6(1.5)	0.055	12	0.337
			Placebo	37.12 (5.3)	42		2.5(2.5)		17
Vammen, 2001 33	Denmark	RCT	Roxithromycin	38.1(5.7)­	43	2	1.6(1.5)	0.02	5	NA
			Placebo	36.9(5.1)	49		2.8(2.5)		7
Mosorin, 2001 34	Finland	RCT	Doxycycline	32.4(8.9)	17	1.5	1.5(2.4)	NA	2	NA
			Placebo	35.3(7.4)	15		3.1(4.7)		3
Statins
Gokani, 2015 35	United Kingdom	RCS	Stains	67	226	7	NA	NA	39	NA
			No statins	68	757				276
Wemmelund, 2014 36	Canada	CC	Statins	NA	1313	12	NA	NA	576	NA
			No-statins		5855				3008
Meij, 2013 37	Netherlands	RCS	Statins	43.4 (5.5)	103	NA	0.06(2.23)	0.89	NA	NA
			placebo	42.2 (5.5)	39		0(2.23)
Karrowni, 2011 39	United States	RCS	Statin	40.6(5.2)	136	1	0.26(1.50)	<0.0001	NA	NA
			Placebo	40.2(4.5)	75		3.37(2.19)
Ferguson, 2010 38	Australia	RCS	Statins	34.9(3.34)	349	6	0.58(0.9)	NA	NA	NA
			Placebo	33.5(4.1)	303		0.78(0.98)
Mosorin, 2008 40	Finland	RCS	Statins	38.7(7.0)	34	3.6(2.2)	1.9（1.8）	0.27	NA	NA
			Placebo	39.3(6.3)	87		2.6（2.4)
Schouten, 2006 41	Netherlands	RCS	Statins	40 (8.5)	59	5.9(8.9)	2.0（2.3）	0.001	NA	NA
			Placebo	37 (7.0)	91		3.6（3.6）

RCS:Retrospective cohort study, T2DM: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, PCS: Prospective cohort study, CC:Case contral study, RCT: Randomised controlled trial, ACEIs: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors,ARBs: Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers,NA:not applicable

Risk of Bias

The cohort studies and case control studies were deemed to have moderate to high quality(NOS score≥7) (Table 2). The overall risk of bias for RCTs was judged to be low (Figure 2).

Table 2.

Quality Assessment of Cohort Studies and Case Control Studies.

Cohort studies	Representativeness of exposed cohort (1)	Selection of nonexposed cohort (1)	Ascertainment of exposure(1)	Absence of outcome at start of study (1)	Comparability of cohorts(2)	Outcome assessment (1)	Length of follow-up(1)	Adequacy of follow-up (1)	Risk of score
Unosson, 2020	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	8
Itoga, 2018	1	1	1	1	2	1	1	1	9
Golledge, 2018	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	8
Golledge,2017	1	1	1	1	2	1	1	1	9
Fujimura, 2016	1	1	1	0	2	1	1	1	8
Kristensen, 2015	1	1	1	0	2	1	1	1	8
Sweeting, 2010	1	1	1	1	2	1	1	1	9
Gokani, 2015	1	1	1	1	2	0	1	1	8
Meij, 2013	1	1	1	1	2	1	0	0	7
Karrowni, 2011	1	1	1	1	2	0	1	1	8
Ferguson, 2010	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	8
Mosorin, 2008	1	1	1	1	2	1	1	1	9
Schouten, 2006	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	8
Case-control studies	Case definition(1)	Representativeness of Cases(1)	Selection of controls(1)	Definition of controls(1)	Comparability of cases and controls(2)	Ascertainment of Exposure(1)	Consistent exposure Ascertainment(1)	Nonresponse rate(1)	Risk of score
Katrine, 2017	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	8
Hackam, 2006	1	1	1	1	2	1	1	1	9
Wemmelund, 2014	1	1	1	1	2	1	0	1	8

Score per the Cochrane risk of bias tool for Bicknell et al and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for the case-control and cohort studies. A Newcastle[1]Ottawa Scale score ≧8 indicates low risk of bias, 6-7 indicates moderate risk of bias, and ≦5 indicates high risk of bias.

Figure 2.

Quality assessment of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Meta-Analysis of Outcomes

For the studies of metformin, meta-analysis demonstrated that metformin use was associated with a lower AAA growth rate (MD: −0.81 mm/y, 95%CI: −1.19 to −0.42, P < 0.0001, I² = 87%) (Figure 3). Metformin also was related to the lower rates of AAA-related events(OR: 0.53, 95%CI: 0.36 to 0.76, P = 0.0007, I² = 60%) (Figure 4). The hypotensive drugs of the studies mainly included angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARB), and propranolol, the overall meta-analysis of blood pressure-lowering drugs reported no significant effect in limiting the AAA growth (MD: 0.31mm/year, 95%CI: −0.03 to 0.65; P = 0.07, I² = 66%) and AAA-related events (OR: 1.33, 95%CI: 0.76 to 2.32, P = 0.32, I² = 98%), In the subgroup analysis of the hypotensive drugs, the ACEI/ARB and propranolol also showed no significant in reducing the AAA growth and AAA-related events (Figures 5 and 6). The meta-analysis of the antibiotics demonstrated that the antibiotics were not associated with a lower AAA growth rate (MD: −0.27 mm/y, 95%CI: −0.88 to 0.34, P = 0.39, I² = 77%) (Figure 7) and AAA-related events (OR: 0.94, 95%CI: 0.65 to 1.35, P = 0.72, I² = 0%) (Figure 8). The results of statins also showed no significant effect in limiting the AAA growth (MD: −1.11mm/year, 95%CI: −2.38 to 0.16, P = 0.09, I² = 96%) (Figure 9) and AAA-related events(OR:0.53, 95%CI: 0.26 to 1.06, P = 0.07, I² = 92%) (Figure 10).

Figure 3.

Forrest plot summarising the effect of metformin on abdominal aortic aneurysm growth. Shown is the mean difference (MD) and 95% CIs. MD is the mean difference in abdominal aortic aneurysm growth rate (mm/year) between participants who were prescribed metformin and participants who were without metformin. Boxes represent a point estimate of the effect and study size. Lines represent 95%CI of the effect. (Golledge, 2017(1-1) represents diabetes prescribed metformin versus diabetes not prescribed metformin in Golledge,2017(Cohort1), Golledge, 2017 (1-2) represents diabetes prescribed metformin versus no diabetes in Golledge,2017 (Cohort1); Golledge, 2017(2-1) represents diabetes prescribed metformin versus diabetes not prescribed metformin in Golledge,2017(Cohort2), Golledge,2017(2-2) represents diabetes prescribed metformin versus no diabetes in Golledge, 2017(Cohort2); Golledge, 2017(3-1) represents diabetes prescribed metformin versus diabetes not prescribed metformin in Golledge,2017(Cohort3), Golledge,2017(3-2) represents diabetes prescribed metformin versus no diabetes in Golledge,2017(Cohort3); Unosson,2020(1) represent diabetes prescribed metformin versus diabetes not prescribed metformin; Unosson,2020(2) represents diabetes prescribed metformin versus no diabetes).

Figure 4.

Forrest plot summarising the metformin on abdominal aortic aneurysm-related clinical events (AAA rupture, repair or related death). Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for the AAA-related events. Boxes represent a point estimate of the effect and study size. Lines represent 95%CI of the effect. (Golledge,2018(2) represents diabetes prescribed metformin versus diabetes not prescribed metformin, Golledge, 2018(1) represents diabetes prescribed metformin versus no diabetes).

Figure 5.

Forrest plot summarising the effect of hypotensive drugs on abdominal aortic aneurysm growth. Shown is the mean difference (MD) and 95% CIs. MD is the mean difference in abdominal aortic aneurysm growth rate (mm/year) between participants who received hypotensive drugs and participants who did not receive certain hypotensive drugs. Boxes represent a point estimate of the effect and study size. Lines represent 95%CI of the effect. ACEI(angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) ARB(angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers).

Figure 6.

Forrest plot summarising the hypotensive drugs on abdominal aortic aneurysm-related clinical events (AAA rupture, repair or related death). Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for the AAA-related events. Boxes represent a point estimate of the effect and study size. Lines represent 95%CI of the effect.

Figure 7.

Forrest plot summarising the effect of antibiotics on abdominal aortic aneurysm growth. Shown is the mean difference (MD) and 95% CIs. MD is the mean difference in abdominal aortic aneurysm growth rate (mm/year) between participants who received antibiotics and participants who did not receive certain antibiotics. Boxes represent a point estimate of the effect and study size. Lines represent 95%CI of the effect.

Figure 8.

Forrest plot summarising the antibiotics on abdominal aortic aneurysm-related clinical events (AAA rupture, repair or related death). Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for the AAA-related events. Boxes represent a point estimate of the effect and study size. Lines represent 95%CI of the effect.

Figure 9.

Forrest plot summarising the effect of statins on abdominal aortic aneurysm growth. Shown is the mean difference (MD) and 95% CIs. MD is the mean difference in abdominal aortic aneurysm growth rate (mm/year) between participants who received statins and those who did not receive statins. Boxes represent a point estimate of the effect and study size. Lines represent 95%CI of the effect.

Figure 10.

Forrest plot summarising the statins on abdominal aortic aneurysm-related clinical events (AAA rupture, repair or related death). Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for the AAA-related events. Boxes represent a point estimate of the effect and study size. Lines represent 95%CI of the effect.

Discussion

Metformin

Metformin is recommended as a first-line treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in global practice guidelines, ⁴² which can suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis, increase insulin sensibility in the gut lumen, and activate the AMP (Adenosine 5′-monophosphate) -activated protein kinase for patients with T2DM. ⁴³ Metformin has been proved to be involved in the critical pathologic mechanisms implicated in AAA. Metformin can reduce the monocyte infiltration and limit plaque formation in mice model. ⁴⁴ The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was activated in aneurysmal wall tissues of AAA patients and rat model, metformin can repress the pathway to inhibit the loss of collagen, the apoptosis of aortic cells, and the breakage of elastin structure of the aorta. ⁴⁵ In the AAA mice models, metformin dramatically suppressed the formation and progression of AAA by preserving medial elastin and smooth muscle and reducing aortic mural macrophage, CD8 T cell. ³ For the patients with AAA and metformin prescription, metformin can reduce expression of a large number of proinflammatory cytokines in plasma. ¹⁷

Through the meta-analysis of the clinical trials included in this study, metformin had been proved to limit AAA growth and AAA-related events. While all of the included studies were cohort studies or case-control studies, RCTs to demonstrate the effect of metformin on AAA are still lacking. Three RCTs about metformin are still ongoing, Metformin for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Growth Inhibition (MAAAGI) trial (NCT0422405) is a multicentre, prospective, randomized clinical trial developed by Uppsala University, Sweden, which has plans to include 500 participants in a parallel assignment to compare AAA growth rates between patients who received metformin 2 g daily and those who receive standard care. ⁴⁶ Two other RCTs have been registered and may achieve complementary results, Metformin therapy in non-diabetic AAA patients (MetAAA) (NCT03507413) (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2 /show/ NCT03507413?term = metformin&cond = aneurysm&draw = 2&rank = 2),Limiting AAA with metformin (LIMIT) trial(NCT04224051) (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/ NCT04500756? Term = metformin&cond = aneurysm&draw = 2&rank = 3), these RCTs will provide strong evidence of whether or not metformin is efficient and safe in preventing AAA growth in the future.

Hypotensive drugs

The following four studies have shown that blood pressure-lowering drugs can inhibit the development of AAA in animal models: the ACEI and ARB could prevent the AAA progression in the mouse AAA model by infusion of angiotensin II; ⁴⁷ the renin angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in AAA formation and growth; ⁴⁸ the ARB and ACEI can block or deficient angiotensin receptor (ATR) to limit the AAA growth, perindopril (ACEI drugs) has also been shown to inhibit aortic degeneration and AAA formation in rat AAA animal models induced by elastase and calcium chloride; ⁴⁹ the propranolol could delay the formation of aneurysms in the male blotchy mouse, which was related to the fact that propranolol enhanced the activity of aortic lysyl oxidase and promoted the formation and maturation of lysyl-derived crosslinks in aortic elastin. ⁵⁰

The hypotensive drugs of the include studies mainly included ACEI, ARB, and propranolol, while overall meta-analysis of blood pressure-lowering drugs reported no significant effect in limiting the AAA growth, the ACEI/ARB and propranolol also showed no significance in reducing the AAA growth and AAA-related events in the subgroup analysis, the previous research had similar conclusion. ⁷ The main reason for the negative result was that AAA formation was a chronic process in clinical patients, and the mechanism was relatively complex, while AAA animal models were in acute formation induced by angiotensin II, elastase, or calcium chloride, these drugs may not be able to reverse a chronic structural defect in a major artery repeatedly exposed to cycles of systolic pressure. ⁵¹

Antibiotics

In murine models, the doxycycline could inhibit the Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs, mediate elastin and collagen degradation in the aortic wall) and AAA growth. ⁵² Chlamydia pneumoniae has been demonstrated in atherosclerotic lesions in AAA, ⁵³ immunoglobulin A antibodies against C pneumoniae, at a level of 20 enzyme immune units, have been demonstrated to be associated with an increased expansion of small AAA, ⁵⁴ macrolides had shown positive side effects on antichlamydial, while the studies about azithromycin ³¹ and roxithromycin ³² on AAA growth showed different conclusions. In this study, the meta-analysis reported no compelling evidence to support the use of antibiotics in limiting AAA progression, and all of the included studies were RCTs. The result further illustrated that doxycycline could not be recommended for pharmacologic treatment of small AAAs. The unexpected findings fundamentally challenge the validity of the existing models of human AAA.

Statins

Statins are 3-hydrox-3-ymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, widely prescribed for their lipid-lowering effects. They are expected to prevent AAA development through anti-oxidative effects, anti-inflammatory effects, inhibition of proteases, and upregulation of synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins. ⁵⁵ Statins inhibit various inflammatory mediators and other key molecules, including MMPs produced by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and macrophages. ⁵⁶ In this study, the meta-analysis of statins showed no significant effect in limiting the AAA growth in this study, which showed different results with another systemic review. ¹¹ It should be noted that all the studies of statins are cohort studies or case-control studies, so RCTs are needed for further verification.

Other pharmacotherapy on AAA

In addition to the drugs included in the systemic review, the following studies have confirmed that other drugs have a certain effect on AAA. The trial investigating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in treating AAA is still undergoing. ¹² MSCs can stimulate T regulatory (Treg) lymphocytes, which in turn inhibit CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell proliferation and function. Previous studies have demonstrated decreased quantity and functionality of Tregs in AAA conditions. ⁵⁷ Furthermore, treatment with Treg infusion seemed to inhibit AAA expansion in a murine model. ⁵⁸ Fibrates, such as fenofibrate or bezafibrate, are used to treat hypertriglyceridaemia. ⁵⁹ Past experimental research suggests that fenofibrate could reduce macrophage infiltration to the aorta and limit excessive aortic remodeling, thereby inhibiting AAA progression; ¹³ Ticagrelor is a potent anti-platelet drug that acts by selectively and reversibly binding to the platelet P2Y12 receptor, blocking the actions of the platelet agonist adenosine diphosphate (ADP). ⁶⁰ Platelet activation and intraluminal thrombus (ILT) renewal are key events in AAA progression, ticagrelor has been proved to inhibit platelet activation and significantly attenuated aneurysm formation in rat models, ⁶¹ while ticagrelor did not reduce the growth of small AAAs in a recent RCT. ¹⁴

Limitations

There are three limitations in this study that should be acknowledged. First, the high percentage of studies(16/26) included are not RCTs, and more RCTs are needed for further verification. Second, substantial heterogeneity among the included studies should be noted. Third, it is limited to estimating the AAA growth rate only by its maximum diameter. For a more comprehensive assessment of AAA growth, other relevant indicators need to be included: AAA volume, wall stress, and fluid dynamics. Future research should take these points into careful consideration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, effective pharmacotherapy for AAA was still lacking. Although the meta-analysis showed that metformin use was associated with lower AAA growth and AAA-related events, all of the included studies about metformin were cohort studies or case control studies. More randomized controlled trials(RCTs) are needed for further verification.