An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of the aorta — the body's main artery — that can rupture and cause life-threatening bleeding. Most abdominal aortic aneurysms are found incidentally and monitored until they reach a size where the rupture risk outweighs repair risk.
What's actually going on in research
Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has largely replaced open surgery, and newer devices with better sealing, branching options for complex anatomy, and longer durability are in trial evaluation. The threshold for intervention is being re-examined in trials asking whether earlier repair in smaller aneurysms is beneficial. Doxycycline and other drugs targeting the metalloproteinase-driven aortic wall degeneration are in trials to slow aneurysm growth.
Advanced endovascular devices
New branched and fenestrated stent grafts allow endovascular repair of complex thoracoabdominal aneurysms previously requiring open surgery. Trials compare device types and outcomes.
Pharmacological growth inhibition
Doxycycline, beta-blockers, and angiotensin receptor blockers are being tested for slowing small aneurysm growth and delaying the need for surgical repair.
Earlier intervention thresholds
Trials are testing whether repairing aneurysms smaller than the current 5.5 cm threshold prevents rupture without exposing patients to unnecessary procedural risk.
What to know before you search
Eligibility depends on aneurysm diameter, location (abdominal vs. thoracic), anatomy for endovascular vs. open repair, growth rate, and surgical risk score.
What types of trials are currently open
- Device trials — Evaluating new endovascular stent graft designs, fenestrated grafts, and repair approaches.
- Surgical comparison trials — Comparing endovascular and open repair outcomes in different patient groups and aneurysm types.
- Drug trials — Testing medications to slow aneurysm growth and reduce the need for surgical repair.
- Surveillance trials — Testing imaging protocols and biomarkers to optimize monitoring frequency and intervention timing.
- Repair threshold trials — Evaluating whether earlier intervention at smaller diameters improves long-term outcomes.
Recently added Aortic Aneurysm trials
Effects of Myofascial Release on Cardiac Patients After Median Sternotomy
After deciding to join this study and signing the informed consent form, participants will undergo the following interventions: All participants will receive a preoperative assessment (Tp) before surgery. Within five days after transferring from the ICU to the general ward, participants will receive a baseline assessment (T0). After completing seven sessions of myofascial release (MFR), a post-intervention assessment (T1) will be conducted. Assessments include maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), pulmonary function tests, mid- and lower-thoracic mobility, surface electromyography (sEMG) to measure diaphragmatic and sternocleidomastoid muscle activity, and pain scores. Pulmonary function tests include forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, and maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV). Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will receive myofascial release therapy in addition to routine physical therapy in the general ward. Routine therapy includes daily physical therapy sessions such as out-of-bed activities, incentive spirometry training (Triflow), and functional exercises. The MFR intervention consists of three steps: The therapist places both hands on the thoracic outlet, with the index and middle fingers above the clavicle. One hand is placed on the anterior chest and the other hand parallel on the participant's back. Both hands are placed on the anterolateral region of the thoracoabdominal diaphragm. During each step, participants are instructed to take 10 slow, deep breaths and direct airflow toward the therapist's hands. Each session lasts approximately 15 minutes, once daily, for seven sessions. The control group will receive only routine physical therapy (out-of-bed activities, incentive spirometry, and functional exercises) without additional myofascial release therapy.
Patient-Reported Quality of Life After Open Surgery for Complex Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Prospective Study
STUDY DURATION: January 2026 - December 2027 Each participant will be followed for 12 months postoperatively. BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: Complex abdominal aortic aneurysms (cAAAs)-including juxtarenal, pararenal, and suprarenal aneurysms-can be treated via open surgical repair (OSR) or complex endovascular techniques (f/bEVAR). While OSR may offer better long-term durability, especially in fit patients, there is currently a lack of data on patient-reported quality of life (QoL) outcomes following OSR for cAAAs. This study aims to fill this gap and support shared decision-making in vascular surgery. OBJECTIVES: * Primary Objective: To assess changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire at five predefined time points (baseline, discharge, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months post-surgery). * Secondary Objectives: To analyze QoL differences by patient subgroups (e.g., age, comorbidities, aneurysm type), to assess correlations with clinical outcomes (e.g., complications, hospital stay), and to evaluate the impact of postoperative complications on QoL. STUDY POPULATION: * Inclusion criteria: Adults (≥18 years) undergoing OSR for non-ruptured complex AAAs (juxtarenal, pararenal, suprarenal). * Exclusion criteria: Patients under 18, those with ruptured AAAs, cognitive impairment, or those unable to complete the SF-36 questionnaire. PARTICIPATING CENTERS: * Ospedale Regionale di Lugano (EOC), Switzerland * Luzerner Kantonsspital, Switzerland * Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, France STUDY PROCEDURES: * Administration of the SF-36 questionnaire at five time points: preoperative, at discharge (within 7 days), and at 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. * Data collection includes demographic information, aneurysm characteristics, in-hospital and follow-up outcomes, and questionnaire responses.
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