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Original Article
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Volume 330:1335-1341 May 12, 1994 Number 19
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Progression of Aortic Dilatation and the Benefit of Long-Term ß-Adrenergic Blockade in Marfan's Syndrome
Jennifer Shores, Kenneth R. Berger, Edmond A. Murphy, and Reed E. Pyeritz

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ABSTRACT

Background The aortic root enlarges progressively in Marfan's syndrome, and this enlargement is associated with aortic regurgitation and dissection. Long-term treatment with {beta}-adrenergic blockade, by reducing the impulse (i.e., the rate of pressure change in the aortic root) of left ventricular ejection and the heart rate, may protect the aortic root.

Methods We conducted an open-label, randomized trial of propranolol in adolescent and adult patients with classic Marfan's syndrome (32 treated and 38 untreated [control] patients). Aortic-root dimensions and clinical end points (aortic regurgitation, aortic dissection, cardiovascular surgery, congestive heart failure, and death) were monitored for an average of 9.3 years in the control group and 10.7 years in the treatment group. All 70 patients were included in the analysis according to the intention-to-treat principle.

Results The dose of propranolol was individualized; the mean (±SE) dose was 212 ±68 mg per day. The mean slope of the regression line for the aortic-root dimensions, which reflect the rate of dilatation, was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (0.023 vs. 0.084 per year, P<0.001). Clinical end points were reached in five patients in the treatment group and nine in the control group. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve for the treatment group differed significantly from that for the control group during the middle years of the trial and remained better for the treatment group throughout the study.

Conclusions Prophylactic {beta}-adrenergic blockade is effective in slowing the rate of aortic dilatation and reducing the development of aortic complications in some patients with Marfan's syndrome.


Source Information

From the Center for Medical Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Pyeritz at the Department of Human Genetics, Allegheny-Singer Research Institute, 320 E. North Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212-4772.

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