Why the study?
Aortic aneurysms carry a risk of dissection and rupture, and while beta-blockers are considered first-line therapy, their efficacy in diminishing aortic aneurysm growth required assessment.
Do beta-blockers reduce aortic aneurysm growth rate per year in patients with aortic aneurysms compared to placebo?
Do beta-blockers reduce aortic aneurysm growth rate per year in patients with aortic aneurysms compared to placebo?
This meta-analysis suggests that beta-blockers do not significantly reduce the growth rate of abdominal aortic aneurysms, challenging their role as a primary medical therapy for this purpose.
Questions beta-blocker use to slow aneurysm growth; challenges routine therapy and supports trials of alternatives.
BACKGROUND: Aortic aneurysms are worrisome because of their predisposition to dissection and rupture. Beta-blockers are considered first-line therapy for aortic aneurysms. The following meta-analysis assesses if beta-blockers diminish aortic aneurysm growth. METHODS: A literature search was performed to collect information on clinical trials that have assessed aortic aneurysm growth between beta-blockers and placebo. The primary endpoint was aortic aneurysm growth rate per year. A forest plot with a random-effects model was used for analysis. RESULTS: Eight clinical trials were included in the analysis. Beta-blockers showed a statistically non-significant effect on aortic aneurysm growth (standard mean difference -0.44; 95% CI [-0.44, 0.00]). CONCLUSION: Beta-blockers do not significantly influence aortic aneurysm growth. Further studies are required to find a suitable medical therapy to reduce growth rates.
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Juan A. Siordia (2020) studied this question.