Pharmaceutical stabilization of abdominal aortic aneurysms : changing its natural history

Kokje, V.B.C. (2017)

Doctoral Thesis

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are potentially lethal due to rupture. Rupture occurs mainly
in AAA greater than 55mm and acute repair still results in mortality over 30%. Although the results
of elective treatment have significantly improved over the years and mortality is low (<3%), there is
a considerable risk of morbidity. AAAs are prevalent mostly in elderly patients and generally only
progress slowly in size. Therefore, treatment that slows aneurysm growth would allow patients
to avoid aneurysm repair, in particularly elderly patients. Insight into the pathophysiology of
the disease has improved over the past few years and continuing research has led the focus towards
finding pharmaceutical means to inhibit or even abrogate aneurysm growth.
The aim of this thesis was to identify new possible targets for pharmacological treatment of
AAAs and to apply this insight to the development of new therapies in a preclinical setting. Besides,
understanding the cause of AAA progression can help identify secondary prevention strategies
aimed at slowing down expansion.

 

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• AAA
• Vascular surgery
• Pharmaceutical
• Elastase
• Mouse models

• All authors: Kokje, V.B.C.
• Supervisor: Hamming, J.F.
• Co-supervisor: Lindeman, J.H.N.
• Committee: Zonneveld, A.J. van; Balm, R.; Vriens, P.W.E.H.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Medicine, Leiden University
• Date: 2017-06-28
• ISBN (print): 9789461827982