Current evidence and prospects for medical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a potentially fatal condition with risk of rupture increasing as maximum AAA diameter increases. It is agreed upon that open surgical or endovascular treatment is indicated if maximum AAA diameter exceeds 5 to 5.5 cm. Continuing aneurysmal degeneration of aortoiliac arteries accounts for significant morbidity, especially in patients undergoing endovascular AAA repair. Purpose of this review is to give an overview of the current evidence of medical treatment of AAA and describe prospects ofpotential pharmacological approaches towards prevention of aneurysmal degeneration of small AAAs and to highlight possible adjunctive medical treatment approaches after open surgical or endovascular AAA therapy.