Background-Atherosclerosis is implicated in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) but more often causes aortic occlusive disease (AOD). The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) degrade extracellular matrix and may play a central role in the pathogenesis of AAA. The aim of this study was to examine differences in the patterns of MMP and MMP inhibitor expression between AAA and AOD. Methods and Results-The expression of mRNA for 14 MMPs and 4 tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) was estimated in samples of aortic wall from 8 patients with AAA and 8 with AOD using the reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction with a synthetic multicompetitor standard. AAA wall expressed significantly more stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) (mean log 10 ratio [copy enzyme cDNA/copy GAPDH cDNA], Ϫ1.9; range, Ϫ3.3 to Ϫ0.7) than the AOD wall (mean, 4; range, Ϫ5.7 to Ϫ2.4), PϽ0.005. TIMP-3 expression was significantly higher in AAA (mean, Ϫ1.7; range, Ϫ2.9 to Ϫ1.0) than AOD (mean, Ϫ3.6; range, Ϫ5.7 to Ϫ1.8), PϽ0.01. Expression of 8 other MMPs (1, 2, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, and 17) was detected and was similar in AAA and AOD. Expression of the remaining 5 MMPs (Ϫ8, Ϫ10, Ϫ13, Ϫ15, and Ϫ16) was not detected in any of the samples. Conclusions-Both AAA and AOD walls express similar levels of a wide range of MMPs, including cell membranebound MT-MMPs. Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) and TIMP-3 were, however, over expressed in the AAA samples and may be involved aneurysm pathogenesis. Stromelysin-1 could provide a target for pharmacological inhibition.

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There appears to be no difference in occlusion or reintervention rate for branch vessels mated with balloon expandable compared with self-expanding stents. Renal events appear to outnumber visceral events in this population.