Plasma CCN2 is independently related to subsequent need for abdominal aorta aneurysm repair.

The objective of this study was to determine if plasma CCN2 is associated with abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA), and future need for AAA repair, and further to assess the potential clinical value of CCN2 in predicting disease outcome. CCN2 was quantified in plasma samples obtained from a cohort of 679 men aged 65-74 at initial ultrasound screening for AAA in the Viborg Vascular (VIVA) screening trial. Plasma CCN2 was correlated with need for future surgical repair in the whole study population (HR = 1.457 (1.081-1.962), p = .013) and in the AAA group alone (HR = 1.431 (1.064-1.926), p = .018), yet the predictive value (CCN2 > 0 and <0 of 0.52 and 0.55, respectively) disqualified its use in clinically relevant AAA repair prediction. In conclusion, CCN2 is independently related to subsequent need for AAA repair, but has negligible predictive power for clinical use.