Biomarkers in TAA-the Holy Grail

Abstract

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a silent disease, often discovered at a time point that dramatic complications, as rupture and dissection, occur. For the detection of asymptomatic TAA and prevention of such complications, it is essential to have an adequate screening tool. Until now, routine laboratory blood tests have played only a minor role in the screening, diagnosis, tracking and prediction of the natural history of TAAs. However, the knowledge about biomarkers is rapidly expanding in the cardiovascular field, and there are several potential biomarkers that might be implemented into TAA clinical practice in the near future. The most important and promising markers for TAA will be discussed in this overview.

Keywords: AAA; Biomarkers; C-reactive protein; CRP; CT; ECM; ET; MMP; MRI; N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide; NT-proBNP; SMC; TAA; TEVAR; TGF-β; TIMP; Thoracic aortic aneurysm; abdominal aortic aneurysm; computed tomography; endothelin; extracellular matrix; magnetic resonance imaging; matrix metalloproteinase; smooth muscle cells; thoracic aortic aneurysm; thoracic endovascular aortic repair; tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases; transforming growth factor β.