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OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Biomarker(s) for prediction of the future progression rate of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) may be useful to stratify the management of individual patients. AAAs are associated with features of systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery is a recognised non-invasive measurement for endothelial function. We hypothesised that FMD is a potential biomarker of AAA progression and reflects the temporal changes of endothelial function during AAA progression. METHODS: In a prospectively recruited cohort of patients with AAAs (Oxford Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Study), AAA size was recorded by antero-posterior diameter (APD) (outer to outer) on ultrasound. Annual AAA progression was calculated by (ΔAPD/APD at baseline)/(number of days lapsed/365 days). FMD was assessed at the same time as AAA size measurement. Analyses of data were performed in the overall cohort, and further in subgroups of AAA by size (small: 30-39 mm; moderate: 40-55 mm; large: > 55 mm). RESULTS: FMD is inversely correlated with the diameter of AAAs in all patients (n=162, Spearman's r=-.28, p

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.ejvs.2017.03.001

Type

Journal article

Journal

Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg

Publication Date

06/2017

Volume

53

Pages

820 - 829

Keywords

AAA Progression, Abdominal aortic aneurysm, Biomarkers, Flow mediated dilatation, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aorta, Abdominal, Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal, Blood Flow Velocity, Dilatation, Pathologic, Disease Progression, Female, Humans, Male, Predictive Value of Tests, Prognosis, Prospective Studies, Regional Blood Flow, Time Factors, Ultrasonography, Vasodilation