An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of the aorta, the body's largest artery. Aneurysms can occur in the chest (thoracic) or abdomen (abdominal). Most grow slowly and cause no symptoms, but if one ruptures, it's life-threatening. Treatment depends on size and growth rate — small aneurysms are monitored, larger ones may need surgical repair.
What's actually going on in research
Research focuses on understanding why aneurysms grow in some people but not others, testing medications that might slow growth, and developing less-invasive repair techniques. Trials are studying statins, blood pressure drugs, and anti-inflammatory medications. Device makers are refining stent grafts that can be placed through small incisions rather than open surgery.
Growth-slowing medications
Several blood pressure and cholesterol medications are being tested to see if they slow aneurysm expansion. Results have been mixed, but trials continue with different drug combinations and patient groups.
Endovascular devices
New stent grafts aim to repair aneurysms in locations that current devices can't reach, including complex aneurysms near branch arteries. These could expand the number of people eligible for minimally invasive repair.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on aneurysm size and location, growth rate, overall health, and whether prior repair attempts have been made.
What types of trials are currently open
- Medication trials — Testing whether drugs like statins, beta-blockers, or other blood pressure medications can slow aneurysm growth in people being monitored.
- Device trials — Testing new stent grafts or surgical techniques for repairing aneurysms, often comparing minimally invasive approaches to open surgery.
- Monitoring studies — Following people with small aneurysms to learn what predicts growth and rupture, helping refine guidelines for when to intervene.
- Imaging studies — Testing whether advanced imaging can better identify aneurysms at high risk of rupture, beyond just measuring size.
- Surgical outcome studies — Comparing different repair techniques or timing of surgery to determine which approaches lead to better long-term outcomes.
Recently added Aortic Aneurysm trials
Receive a minimally invasive stent graft to treat an aortic aneurysm
The objective of this clinical investigational study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Ankura™ II AAA, AE Stent Graft System and the large-size Ankura™ II IE Stent Graft System (i.e., IE stent grafts with distal diameters of 24, 26, and 28 mm) for endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in patients with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm who are suitable for endovascular intervention. The primary safety endpoint is the incidence of major adverse events within 30 days after the procedure. The primary efficacy endpoint is the 12-month treatment success rate.
Receive an endovascular anchor device to treat abdominal aortic aneurysm
To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Heli-FX EndoAnchor system in AAA subjects who without augmented radial fixation and/or sealing due to an endoleak or migration are at high risk for aneurysm-related complications or who are at high risk of migration or endoleak complications post-procedure, and to support product registration of Heli-FX EndoAnchor system with the National Medical Product Administration (NMPA) in China.
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