MMP2 and triple-A syndrome: In the context of a genetic predisposition to an elevated MMP-2 expression, it has been speculated that MMP-2 is central in AAA development and may be regarded as a candidate gene for AAA formation [165]. Despite the fact that elevated levels of MMP-2 have been discovered in AAA tissue, systemic MMP-2 levels could not be applied to predict the expansion of small AAA, possibly due to limited levels reaching circulation [166].