Cardiovascular Aspects of Marfan Syndrome

Marfan Syndrome is a hereditary disorder of connective tissue which primarily affects the eyes, skeleton, blood vessels, and various structures of the heart.
Since 1943, when the cardiovascular manifestations of Marfan Syndrome were first described, understanding of its nature, diagnostic tools, and surgical treatment have been remarkably improved. Although the specific surgical procedures have reached an advanced standard and general acceptance, many questions remain unanswered and have given rise to ongoing controversy.
Cardiovascular Aspects of Marfan Syndrome presents the advances in understanding the cause and pathogenesis of Marfan Syndrome and its current specific surgical therapy.

Towars understanding cause and pathogenesis of Marfan syndrome.- Genetic basis of Marfan syndrome.- Cardiovascular disease in Marfan patients in infancy and childhood.- Cardiovascular pathology in Marfan syndrome — An overview.- Relevance of cystic medial degeneration in cardiac surgery.- Surgical therapy for Marfan syndrome — Then and now.- Morning panel session.- Technical aspects of aortic surgery for Marfan syndrome.- The mechanism and prevention of aortic dissection in Marfan syndrome.- Management of aortic valve incompetence in patients with Marfan syndrome.- Annulo-aortic ectasia — with special reference to total repair of patients with Marfan syndrome.- Marfan syndrome: The variability of operative management.- Aortic disease in Marfan syndrome: surgery, results, and special aspects.- Results of cardiovascular surgery for Marfan syndrome in Berlin.- Marfan syndrome and pregnancy complicated by an acute dissecting aortic aneurysm DeBakey type I — A case report.- Afternoon panel session.