Abstract

Background
The role of circulating proteins as potential biomarkers of presence and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms has been studied in several series; however, their role in the peripheral artery aneurysm has not been thoroughly investigated. No data is available from the Indian population regarding the biomarker levels. Based on the western data, analysis of five circulating biomarkers (MMP-9, Il-6, CRP, Fibrinogen and D-Dimer) was done to investigate their role as markers of disease presence in peripheral and abdominal aortic aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms.

Method
22 cases of peripheral artery or abdominal aortic aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm were included in the study and the levels of MMP-9, Il-6, CRP, Fibrinogen and D-Dimer were estimated and compared with controls.

Results
The levels of circulating biomarkers were found to be significantly elevated in the cases as compared to controls. The circulating MMP-9 among cases was 3306.8 ± 622.91 ng/mL which was significantly elevated as compared to controls, 2442.1 ± 904.71 ng/mL (p<0.001). A significant elevation among the other variables was also noted for Il-6- median in cases was 66.25 pg/mL (IQR 31.78 to 145.46 pg/mL) as compared with control 13.1 pg/mL (9.85 to 16.10 pg/mL); CRPmedian in cases was 5.44 mg/L (IQR 2.39-8.05 mg/L) against controls 0.45 mg/L (0.20-0.60 mg/L); mean Fibrinogen levels among cases was 440.64 ± 121.62 mg/ dL vs. controls 311.95 ± 66.87 mg/dL and D-Dimer was also significantly elevated (1700.40 ± 864.49 mg/L in cases compared with controls 149.45 ± 83.45 mg/L).

Conclusion
The levels of circulating biomarkers tested in the current study (MMP- 9, Il-6, Fibrinogen, D-Dimer and CRP) in patients with arterial aneurysm and pseudo-aneurysm are a marker of disease presence.