Inflammation Injury and Selected Disease Processes Causing Aortic Root and Aortic Valvular Inflammation Flashcards
What is Marfan syndrome (MFS)?
An autosomal dominant disease characterized by cardiovascular, ocular, and skeletal problems.
What is the estimated prevalence of Marfan syndrome?
1 in 3000–5000 individuals.
In what percentage of Marfan syndrome cases do affected individuals have unaffected parents?
Approximately one-third.
What is the most common cardiovascular complication in patients with Marfan syndrome?
Progressive aortic root enlargement.
What are potential outcomes of ascending aortic aneurysms in Marfan syndrome?
Acute type A aortic dissection, aortic rupture, or aortic regurgitation.
What is the management approach for aortic disease in Marfan syndrome patients?
Regular imaging, β-adrenergic receptor antagonist therapy, and prophylactic aortic repair when dilation is ≥5.0 cm.
What was the average life expectancy of patients with Marfan syndrome before surgical repair options became available?
45 years.
What has improved the average life expectancy of patients with Marfan syndrome to 70 years?
Improvements in medical and surgical management of aortic disease.
Where does aortic root dilatation typically begin in Marfan syndrome?
At the sinuses of Valsalva.
What should be evaluated annually in patients with Marfan syndrome?
The proximal aorta.
What imaging techniques are useful for assessing aortic root size?
Transthoracic echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and transesophageal echocardiography.
When is prophylactic aortic root replacement recommended?
When the diameter reaches 5.0 cm.
What is the cumulative risk increase of aortic rupture or dissection when an aneurysm exceeds 6 cm?
A fourfold increase.
What is a composite valve graft replacement?
A surgical procedure involving mobilizing buttons of aortic tissue around coronary arteries for anastomosis to an aortic graft.
What are the most common causes of late death after composite valve graft repair?
Dental work, invasive procedures, dissection or rupture of the residual distal aorta.
What are ‘valve-sparing’ aortic root replacement procedures?
Surgical procedures that preserve the patient’s native aortic valve.
What is the Yacoub procedure known as?
The ‘remodeling’ technique.
What is the David procedure considered?
The ‘reimplantation’ technique.
What are some skeletal manifestations of Marfan syndrome?
Tall stature, long fingers and toes, joint laxity, pectus carinatum, and scoliosis.
What ocular manifestation is common in Marfan syndrome?
Ectopia lentis.
What percentage of patients with Marfan syndrome have mitral valve prolapse?
70–90%.
What is the primary method for diagnosing Marfan syndrome?
The Ghent criteria.
What are the two cardinal features of Marfan syndrome according to the revised Ghent criteria?
Aortic root aneurysm/dissection and ectopia lentis.
What gene is primarily associated with Marfan syndrome?
Fibrillin gene (FBN1) on chromosome 15.