**7. Visualisation of metalloproteinases in aneurysm**

Several studies have been aimed at imaging of matrix metalloproteinases and quantifying the inflammatory process that drives abdominal aortic aneurysm development. American scientists developed the MMP-activated probe, MMP Sense 18-20 (VisEn Medical, Woburn, USA) that was used for the *in vivo* and *ex vivo* macroscopic scale imaging. This method based on fluorochromes may be used intravascularly. A new magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, P947, has been tested for its capabilities of targeting MMPs *in vivo* in

expanding experimental AAA. This method allows the detection of MMP activity within the inflammatory infiltrate within AAA and may become a potential non-invasive method to detect AAA at a high risk of rupture [22, 23].
