Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Porcine Model of Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Published on: November 21, 2019
Comparative efficacy of pharmacological agents on abdominal aortic aneurysm growth rate: a systematic review and
Cheng Wen1,2, Lilong Li1,2, Bo Wang1,2
1Clinical Medical College, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.
Background:
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression lacks proven medications. This study aimed to indirectly compare common drugs' effects on AAA growth rate using a network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies, assessing the reliability of evidence.
Methods:
We systematically searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and PubMed until 5 June 2025. A Bayesian NMA synthesized direct and indirect evidence on drug effects on AAA growth rate, using standardized mean differences (SMD) with credible intervals (CrI). Cohort study results were analyzed separately.
Results:
After screening, 11 RCTs (2,135 subjects) and 13 cohort studies were included. Pooled RCT results showed roxithromycin significantly reduced AAA growth (SMD [95% CrI]: 0.39 [-0.69 to -0.10]). Roxithromycin also demonstrated advantages over amlodipine and doxycycline in indirect comparisons. Propranolol, perindopril, metformin, azithromycin, and ticagrelor showed no significant benefits. Cohort studies linked slower growth to statins and glucose-lowering drugs (insulin, metformin).
Conclusion:
Roxithromycin, statins, and metformin show promise for potentially limiting AAA expansion. However, findings are constrained by methodological limitations (study design, sample size), necessitating future validation via high-quality RCTs.
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