INTRODUCTION: Marfan syndrome and Marfan-related syndromes are part of a broad and overlapping spectrum of diseases that were originally defined on clinical grounds alone. They have in common a dramatically increased risk of life-threatening dissecting aortic aneurysms, which must be prevented by elective aortic replacement. METHODS: Selective review of the literature supplemented by own clinical experience. RESULTS: Marfan syndrome and Marfan-related syndromes are phenotypically highly variable. The full-blown clinical picture is not always present, and particular symptoms can be missing altogether. Accordingly, it is often very difficult to diagnose a specific syndrome in the individual patient. In many cases, only a combination of genetic tests and clinical assessment can settle the differential diagnosis, thus enabling better prognostication and better planning of preventive measures. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis and treatment of individual patients with Marfan syndrome and Marfan-related syndromes requires an interdisciplinary approach. This can only be achieved through a coordination of medical care with centralized record-keeping of all diagnostic findings.
INTRODUCTION:Marfan syndrome and Marfan-related syndromes are part of a broad and overlapping spectrum of diseases that were originally defined on clinical grounds alone. They have in common a dramatically increased risk of life-threatening dissecting aortic aneurysms, which must be prevented by elective aortic replacement. METHODS: Selective review of the literature supplemented by own clinical experience. RESULTS:Marfan syndrome and Marfan-related syndromes are phenotypically highly variable. The full-blown clinical picture is not always present, and particular symptoms can be missing altogether. Accordingly, it is often very difficult to diagnose a specific syndrome in the individual patient. In many cases, only a combination of genetic tests and clinical assessment can settle the differential diagnosis, thus enabling better prognostication and better planning of preventive measures. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis and treatment of individual patients with Marfan syndrome and Marfan-related syndromes requires an interdisciplinary approach. This can only be achieved through a coordination of medical care with centralized record-keeping of all diagnostic findings.
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Authors: Bart L Loeys; Ulrike Schwarze; Tammy Holm; Bert L Callewaert; George H Thomas; Hariyadarshi Pannu; Julie F De Backer; Gretchen L Oswald; Sofie Symoens; Sylvie Manouvrier; Amy E Roberts; Francesca Faravelli; M Alba Greco; Reed E Pyeritz; Dianna M Milewicz; Paul J Coucke; Duke E Cameron; Alan C Braverman; Peter H Byers; Anne M De Paepe; Harry C Dietz Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2006-08-24 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: D I Silverman; K J Burton; J Gray; M S Bosner; N T Kouchoukos; M J Roman; M Boxer; R B Devereux; P Tsipouras Journal: Am J Cardiol Date: 1995-01-15 Impact factor: 2.778
Authors: Ernst Weigang; Christoph A Nienaber; Tim C Rehders; Hüseyin Ince; Christian-Friedrich Vahl; Friedhelm Beyersdorf Journal: Dtsch Arztebl Int Date: 2008-09-19 Impact factor: 5.594