Development Of A Novel Early Intervention Stabilization For Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

By Timothy J. Madsen, Amanda Sohn, Kyle Stansbury, Emily Griffith, Kate Johnson, Rachel Bardot, and Dale M. Groth

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a localized dilation of the aorta, characterized by an aortic diameter at least 1.5 times larger than the normal diameter at the level of the renal arteries (typically around 2.0 cm). AAA is usually diagnosed when the aneurysm exceeds 3.0 cm, with surgical or endovascular repair recommended when the aneurysm reaches 5.5 cm or larger. The risk of rupture significantly increases as the aneurysm diameter grows, and repair is performed when the rupture risk outweighs the potential risks of the repair itself.

In this study, a proprietary catheter is being developed to deliver a stabilizing agent for the treatment of aneurysms ranging from 3.5 to 5.0 cm, a range that currently has no proven treatment other than the “watch and wait” approach. The stabilizing agent, which contains pentagalloyl glucose (PGG), is known to bind and stabilize proteins in the aortic wall. The purpose of this study is to assess the local and systemic toxicity, as well as the pharmacokinetics, following a single, localized intra-aortic infusion of the stabilizing agent. This treatment approach aims to provide a viable option for managing AAAs in this size range, where intervention is not currently available.