OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess outcomes in a series of young patients with Marfan syndrome and to define the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias in this patient population. BACKGROUND: While sudden death is a well-recognized outcome in Marfan syndrome, ventricular arrhythmias are not well described. METHODS: Patients were followed with echocardiography, electrocardiography, and ambulatory electrocardiography. The prevalence and associated factors for ventricular dysrhythmias were defined. RESULTS: Seventy patients with Marfan syndrome diagnosed at birth to 52 years were followed for a period of up to 24 years. All patients had cardiovascular involvement and were started on medical therapy. No patient died from aortic dissection, while 4% died from arrhythmias. Ventricular arrhythmias were present in 21% and were associated with increased left ventricular size, mitral valve prolapse, and abnormalities of repolarization. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac complications are rare in young patients with Marfan syndrome receiving medical therapy and close clinical follow-up. Sudden death still occurs, and appears more common in patients with a dilated left ventricle. Left ventricular dilation may predispose to alterations of repolarization and fatal ventricular arrhythmias.
OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess outcomes in a series of young patients with Marfan syndrome and to define the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias in this patient population. BACKGROUND: While sudden death is a well-recognized outcome in Marfan syndrome, ventricular arrhythmias are not well described. METHODS:Patients were followed with echocardiography, electrocardiography, and ambulatory electrocardiography. The prevalence and associated factors for ventricular dysrhythmias were defined. RESULTS: Seventy patients with Marfan syndrome diagnosed at birth to 52 years were followed for a period of up to 24 years. All patients had cardiovascular involvement and were started on medical therapy. No patient died from aortic dissection, while 4% died from arrhythmias. Ventricular arrhythmias were present in 21% and were associated with increased left ventricular size, mitral valve prolapse, and abnormalities of repolarization. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac complications are rare in young patients with Marfan syndrome receiving medical therapy and close clinical follow-up. Sudden death still occurs, and appears more common in patients with a dilated left ventricle. Left ventricular dilation may predispose to alterations of repolarization and fatal ventricular arrhythmias.
Authors: Benjamin N Schaeffer; Meike Rybczynski; Sara Sheikhzadeh; Ruken Ö Akbulak; Julia Moser; Mario Jularic; Doreen Schreiber; Anne Daubmann; Stephan Willems; Yskert von Kodolitsch; Boris A Hoffmann Journal: Clin Res Cardiol Date: 2015-06-02 Impact factor: 5.460