Background: A sub-study of the AARDVARK (Aortic Aneurysmal Regression of Dilation: Value of ACE-Inhibition on RisK) trial indicated a statistically significant association between central blood pressure (BP) variability and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) growth. The role of anti-hypertensive adherence has not been explored in the context of AAA growth. Objective: To confirm whether higher central BP variability is associated with higher AAA growth rates and to examine the effect of medication adherence on AAA growth rates in a prospective longitudinal cohort study. Methods: Up to 175 patients will be recruited over ten months from two sites with standardised quality control of AAA, BP and antihypertensive non-adherence measurement. Patients (\>55 years), with AAAs ≥3cm in diameter (including AAA ≥5.5cm, not proceeding to surgery) will be recruited and undergo AAA ultrasound (US), BP (peripheral and central) and antihypertensive non-adherence measurements every four months (+/- one month) for 24 months. Ambulatory BP variability data will be collected. Data on medication adherence and beliefs around medications will be collected with validated questionnaires. Analysis: Primarily, the relationship between central diastolic BP visit-to-visit variability and AAA growth (estimated by multilevel modelling) based on US measurements and secondarily the relationship between central diastolic BP variability and time taken to reach the threshold for AAA repair (5.5 cm) or rupture.
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Growth
Timeframe: 24 months