Doxycycline for stabilization of abdominal aortic aneurysms: a randomized trial
Annals of Internal Medicine
|February 4, 2014
Summary
Doxycycline did not slow abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth in a human trial. This antibiotic therapy did not reduce the need for or timing of AAA repair in patients with small AAAs.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Preclinical studies suggest doxycycline inhibits abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation and progression.
- The efficacy of doxycycline in human AAA treatment remains uncertain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of doxycycline on AAA progression in human patients.
- To determine if doxycycline therapy can inhibit the growth of small abdominal aortic aneurysms.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial involving 286 patients with small AAAs.
- Patients received 100 mg of doxycycline or a placebo daily for 18 months.
- Aneurysm growth was assessed via ultrasonography, with secondary outcomes including the need for elective surgery.
Main Results:
- Doxycycline treatment was associated with increased aneurysm growth compared to placebo (4.1 mm vs. 3.3 mm at 18 months).
- No significant difference was observed in the need for or timing of elective surgical repair between the doxycycline and placebo groups.
- The study found no evidence that doxycycline reduces AAA progression or influences surgical intervention rates.
Conclusions:
- Eighteen months of doxycycline therapy did not reduce aneurysm growth in patients with small AAAs.
- Doxycycline therapy did not impact the need for or timing of AAA repair.
- The findings suggest doxycycline is not effective for inhibiting AAA progression in humans.
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