European researchers identify new biological factors involved in the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms
An international team of European researchers, led by the Metabolic Homeostasis and Vascular Calcification group at CiMUS of USC and IDIS, has published a study that provides new insights into understanding the early growth of abdominal aortic aneurysm, a serious and potentially life‑threatening cardiovascular disease.
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an abnormal dilation of the body’s main artery and usually progresses silently. Its rupture carries a very high mortality rate, which is why improving the ability to predict its progression is one of the major challenges in cardiovascular medicine.
At present, surgery is the only treatment capable of preventing aneurysm rupture, but it is only recommended when the dilation reaches a large size. For small aneurysms, regular monitoring and follow‑up is the only clinical option.
The study analyzes blood samples from European patients and shows that the activity of circulating alkaline phosphatase and the degradation of pyrophosphate—a molecule that protects against arterial calcification—are related to the rate of aneurysm growth in its early stages. The results reveal an inverse relationship between pyrophosphate degradation in the blood and aneurysm growth, suggesting that certain calcification processes may help stabilize the aortic wall in some patients. In this context, the study, published in Journal of Molecular Medicine, provides a scientific basis for the future development of blood biomarkers to improve risk stratification and personalized monitoring of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.
The work was carried out in collaboration with research centers and hospitals in Denmark and Spain, using data from the European population cohort VIVA. “Currently, the monitoring of small aneurysms relies almost exclusively on imaging tests. Our findings open the door to identifying biological processes measurable in blood that could help predict their progression in the future,” explains Dr. Villa‑Bellosta, principal investigator of the study.
The authors note that, although this is a pilot study, the results justify conducting larger‑scale clinical studies to confirm these findings and assess their potential clinical application.
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