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
Clinical Performance and Safety Assessment of the Use of iCover Balloon Expandable Covered Stent (iVascular) Implanted as Bridging Stent in FEVAR (Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Repair) for the Treatment of Complex Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
fenCo is a European multicentre, prospective study to evaluate the use of the iCover covered stents as bridging stents for reno-visceral target vessel during fEVAR for the treatment of complex abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Metabolic Phenotyping in vEDS
This research study will investigate whether people with vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS), a rare inherited condition, have problems with the way their body stores and uses fat (adipose tissue). vEDS is caused by changes in a gene called COL3A1, which makes a protein important for the structure of many tissues. While vEDS is best known for making blood vessels fragile, there is some early evidence that it may also affect fat tissue and increase the risk of problems such as insulin resistance (where the body does not respond properly to insulin) and diabetes. Fat tissue is important for keeping the body healthy. It stores extra energy, but it also sends signals to other organs. If fat tissue cannot expand or work properly, fat can build up in the liver or muscles instead, leading to high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and greater risk of diabetes and heart disease. In this study, we will invite 12-17 adults with genetically confirmed vEDS to take part, along with a group of age-, sex-, and weight-matched controls without vEDS. Participants will attend a research visit at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge. They will have measurements of body fat distribution (using a DEXA scan), a liver scan, blood tests, and a standard oral glucose tolerance test (drinking a sugary drink with blood samples before and after). Some participants may also choose to provide a small fat biopsy under local anaesthetic to allow more detailed analysis of tissue structure. The main aim is to see whether people with vEDS show changes in fat distribution and insulin sensitivity compared to those without vEDS.
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