Cardiovascular anomalies in Marfan's syndrome: the role of echocardiography and beta-blockers.

Full Abstract

Six patients with Marfan's syndrome were included in a study to determine the effect of beta-blockers on progressive aortic dilation. Patients' histories and results of physical examination, chest radiogram, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram are reported. Patients ranged in age from 5 years 8 months to 14 years; one was black, five were white, and four were male. The study included a brother and sister whose mother had had Marfan's syndrome and died at age 32. All six patients had aortic dilatation documented by echocardiography; two also had mitral valve prolapse. Auscultatory findings were unrevealing, but patients showed easy fatigability. During the prospective, randomized study, half of the patients were given beta-blockers; the other half formed a control group. Findings at short to midterm follow-up suggest that beta-blockers are beneficial in arresting progressive dilatation of the aorta.

Author information

Author/s: Tahernia, A C (AC);

Affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Stormont-Vail Regional Medical Center, Topeka, Kansas 66604-1353.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Case Reports; Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Review

Journal: Southern medical journal (South Med J), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1993-Mar; vol 86 (issue 3) : pp 305-10

Dates: Created 1993/04/15; Completed 1993/04/15; Revised 2005/11/16;

PMID: 8451670, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.