Marfan Syndrome

Marfan Syndrome is a condition that affects the connective tissue of the body and causes damage to the heart, aorta, and other parts of the body. This complex condition requires a specialized and experienced approach to care.

What is Marfan Syndrome?

Marfan syndrome (also called Marfan’s syndrome or Marfans syndrome) is a condition that affects the connective tissue. Connective tissue holds the body together and provides support to many structures throughout the body. In Marfan syndrome, the connective tissue isn’t normal. As a result, many body systems are affected, including the heart, blood vessels, bones, tendons, cartilage, eyes, nervous system, skin and lungs.

What causes Marfan syndrome?

Marfan syndrome is caused by a defect in the gene that encodes the structure of fibrillin and the elastic fibers, a major component of connective tissue. This gene is called fibrillin-1 or FBN1.

In most cases, Marfan syndrome is inherited. The pattern is called “autosomal dominant,” meaning it occurs equally in men and women and can be inherited from just one parent with Marfan syndrome. People who have Marfan syndrome have a 50 percent chance of passing along the disorder to each of their children.

 

In 25 percent of cases, a new gene defect occurs due to an unknown cause. Marfan syndrome is also referred to as a “variable expression” genetic disorder, because not everyone with Marfan syndrome has the same symptoms to the same degree.

Marfan syndrome is present at birth. However, it may not be diagnosed until adolescence or young adulthood.

Who is affected by Marfan syndrome?

Marfan syndrome is fairly common, affecting 1 in 10,000 to 20,000 people. It has been found in people of all races and ethnic backgrounds.

What are the signs of Marfan syndrome?

Sometimes Marfan syndrome is so mild, few if any, symptoms occur. In most cases, the disease progresses with age and symptoms of Marfan syndrome become noticeable as changes in connective tissue occur.

Physical Appearance

People with Marfan syndrome are often very tall and thin. Their arms, legs, fingers and toes may seem out of proportion, too long for the rest of their body. Their spine may be curved and their breastbone (sternum) may either stick out or be indented. Their joints may be weak and easily become dislocated. Often, people with Marfan syndrome have a long, narrow face and the roof of the mouth may be higher than normal, causing the teeth to be crowded.

Marfan syndrome causes many changes to occur within the body structures, including dental and skeletal (bone) problems.

 

Dental and bone problems

Patients with Marfan syndrome may have a dental history of tooth extractions or palate expanders for a narrow palate. In addition, patients may have a history of bone problems such as flat feet, hernias and bone dislocations.

Other changes that occur with Marfan syndrome due to the abnormal connective tissue include changes in the eyes, heart and blood vessels, lungs and skin.

Eye problems

More than half of all people with Marfan syndrome have eye problems including nearsightedness (blurring of objects far away), lens subluxation (lens of the eye moves away from its typical position) or having a difference in the shape of the eye.

Changes in the heart and blood vessels

About 90 percent of people with Marfan syndrome develop changes in their heart and blood vessels.

Blood vessel changes: With Marfan syndrome, the walls of the blood vessels become weak and dilate (stretch). These blood vessel changes often affect the aorta, the major artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When the walls of the aorta weaken or stretch, there is an increased risk of aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection or rupture (bursting). All portions of the aorta can dilate or dissect. These conditions can result in a medical emergency and in some cases are life-threatening.

Patients also may have a history of intracranial bleeding or brain aneurysms, referred to as Berry aneurysms.

Mitral valve prolapse and regurgitation are associated with varying degrees of valve leakage. Mild valve leaks do not create extra work on the heart, but require routine follow-up. More significant valve leakages, as determined by your doctor, increase the workload on the heart and may cause symptoms of shortness of breath, feeling over-tired, or palpitations (fluttering in the chest). The abnormal flow may cause a heart murmur, which can be heard with a stethoscope. Over time, the heart may enlarge and heart failure may occur.Heart valve problems: The heart’s valves, especially the mitral valve, can be affected by Marfan syndrome. The valve leaflets become floppy and do not close tightly, allowing blood to leak backwards across the valve (mitral valve prolapse, also called MVP). When MVP progresses, the condition is called mitral valve regurgitation.



 

Cardiomyopathy: With Marfan syndrome, the heart muscle may enlarge and weaken over time, causing cardiomyopathy. The condition may progress to heart failure.

Aortic root dilation: The aortic root is the area where the aorta meets the aortic valve. With Marfan syndrome, the aortic root may dilate or widen. This can cause the aortic valve to become stretched and leak.

Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm): May occur in some patients with Marfan syndrome. Arrhythmia is often related to MVP.

Other signs of Marfan Syndrome

Lung changes: The changes in lung tissue that occur with Marfan syndrome increase the risk of asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia and collapsed lung.

Skin changes: Decreased elasticity of the skin cause stretch marks to occur even without changes in weight.

How is Marfan syndrome diagnosed?

Marfan syndrome is based on a clinical diagnosis. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to make the diagnosis because multiple organ systems must be assessed. Members of the team will assess the eyes, heart and blood vessels, spine and skeletal system.

A thorough history of symptoms and information about family members that may have had related problems are also necessary. Other tests, such as chest x-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram (an imaging procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to produce a moving picture of the heart's valves and chambers) will be used to evaluate changes in the heart and blood vessels, and detect heart rhythm problems.

If sections of the aorta are not able to be visualized through echocardiogram, or a dissection is already suspected, a transesophageal echo (TEE), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scan may be needed.

Often a CT or MRI is also needed to evaluate for something called dural ectasia. Dural ectasia is a bulging of the lining of the spinal column. It often does not cause any symptoms but it can be associated with back pain in some patients. Dural ectasia is a feature that helps to support the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome but it can also occur with other connective tissue disorders.

 

In some situations a blood test can be used to help diagnose Marfan syndrome. This blood test is highly specialized and looks for changes in FBN1, the gene that is responsible for most cases of Marfan syndrome.

Genetic counseling should accompany genetic testing because FBN1 testing is not always straightforward.  Blood tests also can be used to help in the diagnosis of other genetic mutations, such as Loeys-Dietz syndrome, that cause physical findings similar to Marfan syndrome.Learn more about genetic counseling.

Genetic Testing

What is genetic testing?

Genetic testing is a specialized laboratory test that looks for changes (also called mutations) in a person’s genetic material (DNA, genes or chromosomes) or in the products that the genes make. A gene contains instructions for our bodies. Genes are made up of chemical bases represented by the letters A, T, C and G. Every gene contains thousands of letters. Most times genetic testing is done by taking a blood sample, but sometimes other body samples (like cheek cells or skin) are needed. FBN1 testing is expensive (approximately $2000).

It is often covered by insurance but this varies depending on individual insurance policies. We recommend that you check with your insurance company about coverage prior to having testing.

FBN1 is a large gene and mutations can be found throughout the gene.  Over 500 different mutations have been identified in FBN1; most mutations are unique to an individual family. Once a mutation is found in one family member, we expect that same mutation to be present in affected family members. In some cases, a change in the genetic code is found that the lab is not able to determine if it actually causes Marfan syndrome. These types of mutations are called variants. When variants are identified, sometimes it is necessary to test other family members (often parents) to try to determine its significance. The lab may also identify changes in the gene called polymorphisms. Polymorphisms are gene changes that are relatively common and are not likely to cause Marfan syndrome. 

Who should have genetic testing?

There are numerous reasons that someone should consider genetic testing for Marfan syndrome, these include:

• Someone with a clinical diagnosis who is interested in genetic testing so that other family members can get tested. (Genetic testing should be initiated in someone with Marfan syndrome first and once a mutation is identified other family members can have testing for that mutation at a reduced cost.)
• Someone with a clinical diagnosis who would like to confirm the diagnosis.  (It should be noted that not all cases of Marfan syndrome can be confirmed through genetic testing. Therefore, when a person with a diagnosis of Marfan syndrome does not have a mutation in FBN1 it does not mean that he/she does not have Marfan syndrome. It just means that it was not possible to find the genetic reason with current technology.)
• Someone in whom a diagnosis is suspected but clinical evaluation did not establish the diagnosis.
• Someone in whom Marfan syndrome is one of several diagnoses that are being considered.
• Family members of someone with an identified mutation.

How is Marfan syndrome treated?

Marfan syndrome requires a treatment plan that is individualized to the patient's needs. Some people may not require any treatment, just regular follow-up appointments with their doctor. Others may need medications or surgery. The approach depends on the structures affected and the severity of the condition.

Lifestyle issues

• Follow-up: Routine follow-up including cardio-vascular, eye, and skeletal exams, especially during the growing years. Your doctors will discuss the frequency of follow-up with you.
• Activity: Activity guidelines vary, depending on the extent of the disease and symptoms. Most people with Marfan syndrome can participate in some type of physical and/or recreational activities. Those with dilation of the aorta will be asked to avoid high-intensity team sports, contact sports, and isometric exercises (such as weight lifting). Ask your cardiologist about activity guidelines for you.
• Pregnancy: Genetic counseling should be performed prior to pregnancy as Marfan syndrome is an inherited condition. Pregnant women with Marfan syndrome are considered high risk cases. If the aorta is normal size, the risk for dissection is lower, but not absent. Those with even slight enlargement are at higher risk and the stress of pregnancy may cause more rapid dilation. Careful follow-up, with frequent blood pressure checks and monthly echocardiograms is required during pregnancy. If there is rapid enlargement or aortic regurgitation, bed rest or surgery may be required. Your doctor will discuss with you the best method of delivery with you.
• Endocarditis prevention: People with Marfan syndrome who have also had valve surgery have an increased risk for bacterial endocarditis. This is an infection of the heart valves or tissue which occurs when bacteria enters the blood stream. To reduce the risk of endocarditis, antibiotics should be given prior to dental or surgical procedures in patients with Marfan syndrome who have had valve surgery. Check with your doctor about the type and amount of antibiotics you should take. A wallet card may be obtained from the American Heart Association (PDF) with specific antibiotic guidelines.

Medications

Medications are not used to treat Marfan syndrome, however they may be used to prevent or control complications. Medications may include:

• A beta-blocker improves the heart’s ability to relax, decreases the forcefulness of the heartbeat and the pressure within the arteries, thereby preventing or slowing the enlargement of the aorta. Beta-blocker therapy should begin at an early age.

In people who are unable to take beta-blockers due to asthma or side-effects, a calcium channel blocker, such as verapamil, is recommended.

• An angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) is a type of medication that acts on a chemical pathway in the body. These agents are often used in treatment of high blood pressure as well as heart failure.

Clinical trials are currently being conducted to evaluate how these medications may prevent aortic enlargement.

Surgery

Surgery for Marfan syndrome is aimed at preventing aortic dissection or rupture and treating valve problems. When the aorta diameter is more than 4.7 cm (centimeters) to 5.0 cm (depending on your height), or if the aorta is enlarging at a rapid pace, surgery is recommended. Your cardiologist may also calculate your aortic root diameter to height ratio, since this may also influence whether you should have surgery.

The recommendation for surgery is based on size of the aorta, expected normal size of the aorta, rate of aortic growth, age, height, gender and family history of aortic dissection. Surgery involves a replacement of the dilated portion of the aorta with a graft.

Valve repair or replacement surgery may be needed when Marfan syndrome causes a leaky aortic or mitral valve (regurgitation) that leads to changes in the left ventricle (left lower chamber of the heart) or heart failure.

It is recommended that people with Marfan syndrome undergo surgery by surgeons who are experienced in this type of surgery. A better understanding of Marfan syndrome combined with earlier detection, careful follow-up and safer surgical techniques have resulted in better outcomes for patients.

Get more information on Aorta Surgery for Marfan Syndrome including:
Aorta surgery, valve sparing re-implantation aorta surgery, and valve repair or replacement surgery for Marfan Syndrome.

Aorta Center, specializing in the treatment of Marfan Syndrome and Connective Tissue Disorders

The multi-disciplinary team of experts in the Aorta Center, specializing in the treatment of Marfan Syndrome and Connective Tissue Disorders includes cardiologists, pediatric cardiologists, cardiovascular and vascular surgeons, ophthalmologists, orthopedic surgeons and genetic specialists.

The mission of the Aorta Center, specializing in the treatment of Marfan Syndrome and Connective Tissue Disorders is to bring together a knowledgeable and experienced multi-disciplinary team of cardiology and vascular doctors and other cardiology experts to provide:

• A thorough evaluation of patients using state-of-the art diagnostic testing
• On-going comprehensive care for those patients with disease of the aorta, connective tissue disorder, and Marfan syndrome
• Genetic screening for families of those with genetic disorders, such as Marfan syndrome
• Ongoing research and education to provide patients with high quality and innovative therapies
• The goal is to help patients live longer and improve their quality of life.

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