Case Report

A Huge Aneurysm of the Ascending Aorta in a Young Male with Marfan Syndrome: “Giant Aorta-Great Heart”

10.32596/ejcm.galenos.2019.00032

  • Ersin Çağrı Şimşek
  • Ezgi Özyol Us
  • Mine Tavlı
  • Öner Özdoğan

Received Date: 30.05.2018 Accepted Date: 02.03.2019 E J Cardiovasc Med 2019;7(1):43-46

Marfan syndrome, described in the 19th century, is a connective tissue disease inherited as an autosomal dominant, owing to mutations in the FBN1 gene encoding fibrillin-1. Marfan syndrome involves the cardiovascular, ocular, and skeletal systems. Although Marfan syndrome is inherited as an autosomal dominant with high penetrance, about 30% of cases are due to sporadic mutation. A 34-year-old man with no prior medical history presented with worsening exercise dyspnea. On physical examination, he was tall stature, he had myopia, pectus deformity, pes planus, the wrist and thumb signs. His cardiac examination revealed a grade 3/6 early diastolic murmur over the aortic area. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a severely dilated left ventricle (left ventricular end diastolic diameter and volume; 9.0 cm, 520 mL respectively), a giant ascending aorta measuring 11.0 cm and reduced systolic function (left ventricular ejection fraction 50%). A computed tomography angiography imaging which was ordered to exclude aortic dissection and assess the extent of aortic dilation showed an aortic diameter of 11.6x11 cm at the widest point without any dissection flap. The patient was diagnosed as having Marfan syndrome according to the Ghent criteria and underwent Benthall procedure. In the literature, huge aneurysm of the ascending aorta without dissection is extremely rare, and the current case with a giant aneurysm of approximately 12 cm has been treated uneventfully. In conclusion, such huge aortic aneurysms could be asymptomatic and silent for many years until severe aortic regurgitation and aortic dissection occurs.

Keywords: Ascending aorta, giant aneurysm, aortic dilatation, Marfan syndrome, genetics

Introduction

Marfan syndrome (MFS), described in the 19th century, is a connective tissue disease inherited as an autosomal dominant, owing to mutations in the FBN1 gene encoding fibrillin 1(1). MFS involves the cardiovascular, ocular, and skeletal systems; therefore, it is characterized by those three clinical criteria; thoracic aortic aneurysm and/or dissection, ectopia lentis, and systemic features (with score ≥7)(2).

In this report, we described a new diagnosed MFS case which has an overly dilated heart owing to severe aortic insufficiency with huge aortic aneurysm.


Case Report

A 34-year-old man with no prior medical history presented with worsening exercise dyspnea and marked limitation in activity due to symptoms for the previous three weeks. Among his family members, nobody had an aortic disease and connective tissue disease. A month prior to the admission he was easily climbing up the fifth floor. On physical examination, he was 184 cm tall, weighed 79 kg, and he had myopia, pectus deformity, pes planus, and elongated limbs (arm span 194 cm). Another finding of the physical examination was wrist sign (thumb and fifth digit overlap when around the wrist) (Figure 1). His cardiac examination revealed a grade 3/6 early diastolic murmur over the aortic area. Chest X-ray showed mild cardiomegaly and mediastinal enlargement (Figure 2). The patient underwent an echocardiogram that showed a quite dilated left ventricle, severe aortic valve insufficiency, and over-dilated aortic root involving the ascending aorta. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a severely dilated left ventricle (left ventricular end-diastolic dimension: 9.0 cm, left ventricular end-diastolic volume: 520 mL), a giant ascending aorta measuring 11.0 cm and reduced systolic function (left ventricular ejection fraction: 50%) (Figure 3). A cardiovascular computed tomography angiography (CTA) imaging study was ordered to exclude aortic dissection and assess the extent of aortic root dilation. A CTA showed an aortic diameter of 11x11.6 cm at the widest point without any dissection flap (Figures 4 and 5). Written informed consent was obtained from the patient who underwent elective surgery.

The patient was diagnosed as having MFS according to the Ghent criteria and underwent Benthall procedure which involves replacement of the aortic root with a mechanical valved conduit. Following the postoperative course, he was discharged uneventfully with warfarin, metoprolol, and ramipril on the seventh day.


Discussion

Although MFS is inherited as an autosomal dominant with high penetrance, about 30% of cases are due to sporadic mutations(3). The prevalence of MFS was reported ranging between 1/5.000-1/10.000. Cardiovascular manifestations include thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection, aortic regurgitation from the aortic root impairment, and the mitral insufficiency with mitral valve prolapses. Although aortic dilatation is progressive throughout life, losartan and beta-blockers reduce the rate of dilatation, aortic dissection, and heart failure(4). The incidence of ascending aortic aneurysms, defined as giant aneurysms greater than 10 cm in diameter, is increasing in MFS. Guidelines recommended aortic imaging of first-degree relatives in patients with familial aortic aneurysms. The current European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommended prophylactic surgery in patients with MFS, who have a maximal aortic diameter ≥50 mm. The factors that would lead to surgical repair at  ≥45 mm include a family history of dissection, size increase 3 mm/year, severe aortic regurgitation, or desire for pregnancy(5).

In the case reported, the reason that the patient became symptomatic is the presence of severe aortic valve regurgitation due to aortic root dilatation. Although the patient admitted the hospital before dissecting the aorta which is the most feared complication of MFS, the systolic function of heart was reduced and left ventricular diameters were greatly enlarged owing to severe aortic regurgitation. Despite a negative family history, the current-reported-case was sporadic. In suspicious cases, even if there is negative family history, genetic test and systemic features of MFS should be examined well and the criteria of MFS should be kept in mind. In the literature, huge aneurysm of the ascending aorta without dissection is extremely rare, and the current case with a giant aneurysm of approximately 12 cm has been treated uneventfully.

In conclusion, such huge aortic aneurysms could be asymptomatic and silent for many years until severe aortic regurgitation and aortic dissection occurs.


Ethics

Informed Consent: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient who underwent elective surgery.

Peer-review: Internally peer-reviewed.

Authorship Contributions

Surgical and Medical Practices: M.T., Concept: E.Ç.Ş., Ö.Ö., Design: E.Ç.Ş., Ö.Ö., Data Collection or Processing: E.Ç.Ş., E.Ö.U., M.T., Analysis or Interpretation: E.Ç.Ş., Ö.Ö., Literature Search: E.Ç.Ş., E.Ö.U., Writing: E.Ç.Ş., E.Ö.U.

Conflict of Interest: No conflict of interest was declared by the authors.

Financial Disclosure: The authors declared that this study received no financial support.

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