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NCT Number: NCT04500756

Limiting AAA With Metformin (LIMIT) Trial

In this research, the investigators are looking at the effects of a drug called metformin may have on the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)s. AAA is an abnormal enlargement of the aorta, which is the large artery in the abdomen (stomach area). The enlargement of the aorta carries a risk that it will rupture and cause life-threatening bleeding in the abdomen (belly). In this study the investigators hope to learn how metformin is associated with the enlargement or change in size of the AAA in study participants. Smaller studies have suggested that metformin may reduce the rate at which aortic aneurysms enlarge. This study will test this question: does metformin prevent AAAs from growing larger?

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Key information

Age range

50 year–95 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

7.2 Inclusion Criteria

  • Provision of signed and dated informed consent;
  • Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
  • Male or female, aged 50 to 95 years inclusive;
  • Have a maximal orthogonal infrarenal aortic diameter between 35 and < 50 mm for males and between 30 and < 45 mm for females as measured by CTA;
  • Eligible participants must have an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≥ 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 at the initiation of trial participation, and must remain ≥ 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 throughout the term of the study to continue participation;
  • HgbA1c must be ≤ 6.5% at initiation to receive study medication;
  • Ability to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the medication regimen throughout the course of the trial;
  • Must be willing and able to undergo two computed tomographic aortograms (CTA, with timed intravenous iodinated contrast injections if possible) at initiation and termination of study participation;
  • For females of reproductive potential: use of highly effective contraception for at least 1 month prior to screening, with an agreement to use such a method of contraception during study participation and for an additional 4 weeks after the end of study drug administration.

7.3 Exclusion Criteria 1. Diagnosis of, or taking medications for, diabetes mellitus, as defined as HgbA1c > 6.5% at baseline evaluation; 2. Known hypersensitivity to metformin hydrochloride. Individuals with known prior anaphylactic reaction to iodinated contrast will have the option of CT scan without contrast or will not be eligible to participate. Individuals with a prior allergic reaction not including anaphylaxis will be managed with the standard CT protocol for premedication for allergy to contrast - 3 doses of prednisone (50 mg p.o. per) beginning 13 hours prior to the procedure as well as 50 mg of Benadryl p.o. Premedication start times are as follows: 13 hours before contrast, 50 mg PO prednisone 7 hours before contrast, 50 mg PO prednisone

1 hour before contrast, 50 mg PO prednisone + 50 mg PO diphenhydramine These individuals will also be given the option of CT scan without contrast if unwilling to follow the premedication as indicated above; 3. Presence of metabolic acidosis, defined as total CO2 below the lower limit of normal on chemistry panel obtained during determination of study eligibility; 4. Expected survival less than two years; 5. Prior surgical AAA repair, or anticipated repair within two years; 6. Known thoracic aortic aneurysm disease, as defined as a prior dissection or thoracic aortic diameter > 5 cm); 7. The presence of known syndromic aortic conditions, including but not limited to Ehlers Danlos or Marfan Syndromes, or the at-risk allele in the ACTA2 gene mutation or similar conditions; 8. Severe liver disease, jaundice, or active hepatitis; 9. Severe anemia, defined as a Hgb < 10g/dl; 10. Concurrent participation in other investigational drug trials; 11. For female participants of childbearing potential: pregnancy, intent to become pregnant, lactation, or unwilling or unable to use an effective method of contraception; 12. Alcoholism or chronic excessive alcohol intake; 13. Common iliac artery aneurysms > 3.5 cm; 14. Uncontrolled hypertension defined as Systolic BP≥200, or considered to have hypertensive emergency or urgency.

Treatment and study plan

metformin

Drug

Smaller studies have suggested that metformin may reduce the rate at which aortic aneurysms enlarge. This study will test this question: does metformin prevent AAAs from growing larger?

Other names: AAA

Placebo

Other

One group will be randomized to receive the study drug Metformin and the other group will receive a placebo

Primary outcomes

  1. The primary outcome measure will be the change in maximal orthogonal diameter of the infrarenal aorta, as measured by computed tomographic (CT) aortography, in centimeters.

    Time frame: Baseline to 2 years

    The change in maximal orthogonal diameter of the infrarenal aorta, as measured by computed tomographic (CT) aortography, over the course of the study in participants taking metformin XR (extended release) vs. placebo. It is calculated as the difference in CTA-determined diameter (in mm) from baseline to the follow-up CT study at the end of study participation, divided by time elapsed between two measurements (e.g., annual rate of change in CT-diameter). The justification for this endpoint is that maximal orthogonal transverse diameter by CTA is the primary standard to measure AAA disease progression, determine need for surgical intervention, and correlate with clinical outcomes.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Profile of Adverse cardiovascular events

    Time frame: Baseline to 2 years

    Incidence of adverse cardiovascular events including: unanticipated adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs (SAEs), AEs leading to premature discontinuation from the study intervention and serious treatment-emergent AEs, clinically significant AE events, such as cardiovascular AEs and surgical AAA repairs.

  2. Study drug compliance

    Time frame: Baseline to 2 years

    Pill counts will be used to measure study drug compliance.

  3. All-cause mortality

    Time frame: Baseline to 2 years

    All-cause mortality will be summarized using Kaplan-Meier survival curves for each arm. Participants alive at last follow-up will be censored at last time known alive.

  4. Change in existing medication regimen as a measure of metformin treatment

    Time frame: Baseline to 2 years

    Concurrent medication regimen will be tabulated and listed according to the drug classifications

  5. Change in serological markers of the liver as a measure of impact of metformin treatment

    Time frame: Baseline to 2 years

    Albumin and total protein, total bilirubin, ALT, and AST will be assessed for these serological markers.

  6. Change in serological markers of the kidney as a measure of impact of metformin treatment

    Time frame: Baseline to 2 years

    Urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine will be assessed for these serological markers.

  7. Change in serological markers of the hematopoietic function as a measure of impact of metformin treatment

    Time frame: Baseline to 2 years

    Complete Blood Count (CBC) will be assessed for this serological marker.

  8. Change from baseline in Living with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Survey

    Time frame: Baseline to 2 years

    62 question instrument for evaluating AAA specific Quality of Life

  9. Change from baseline in Short Form (SF-36) health survey

    Time frame: Baseline to 2 years

    36 question instrument for evaluating Health-Related Quality of Life

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Ronald Dalman, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

650-725-5227

Sohrab Sami

CONTACT

[email protected]

412-452-7137

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Stanford University

Other

Collaborators

  • Kaiser Permanente
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
  • VA Palo Alto Health Care System

Registry information

Acronym: LIMIT

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Aug 5, 2020
Registry last updated
Apr 18, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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