Circulating cytokines in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Studies suggest that aneurysm-derived cytokines perpetuate the cycle of inflammation and proteolysis that is the pathological hallmark of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). As interleukin (IL)-6 is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, such cytokines may also have important systemic effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aneurysm repair on circulating levels of cytokines. Inflammatory cytokines were measured in 99 patients with AAA and 100 patients who had undergone AAA repair in the past. There was a significant reduction in IL-10 in the postoperative group, and a nonsignificant trend toward reduction in IL-6 and CRP in the postoperative group. Subgroup analysis of the postoperative group revealed significantly lower levels of IL-6 and CRP in the open group compared to endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). These results suggest that aneurysm repair may have an effect upon chronic levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines, and that the type of repair may exert some influence.