Marfan+Syndrome+Broader+Impacts

Broader Impacts: Management of Symptoms Although there is no cure for this disease, many are trying to prolong the lives of people affected by Marfan Syndrome by coming up with new protocols to manage the symptoms. In past years, people affected with this disease have been given a short life span of approximately 35 years. However, in recent years with the help of combination surgery and medication, people affected with this disease can live much longer lives.

New studies using mice as the test subjects have revealed newer approaches to the management of MFS. Previously, Atenolol, a beta blocker, was used to reduce blood pressure of patients so the chances of rupturing an aneruism would be less. Now, studies have shown that Losartan has a much higher success rate at reducing the chances of rupture. Additionally, the integrity of the elastic fibers in the heart increased in integrity, compared to the mice who were given Atenolol. Losartan is now the new standard of care for patients with MFS (Bolar, et al., 2012).

Studies have also surrounded the idea of using TGF-beta inhibitors, which would reduce the amount of growth factors present in the extracellular matrix. The result of this study showed that mice who were given the inhibitors showed a drastic reduction in rate of aortic root growth, compared with mice who were given a placebo. However, the protocol for giving TGF-beta inhibitors required that patients receive a new infusion every two weeks for the rest of their lives. The study was stopped due to quality of life debates. Instead, Losartan was once again chosen as the alternative (Bolar, et al., 2012).

A study of pediatric MFS patients was done by giving angiotensin receptor blockers to patients with extremely progressive aortic root enlargement. Following the patients for two years, the results showed that the rate of enlargement of the aortic root slowed down by approximately 75% with no additional blood pressure or heart rate changes. Although it has not been confirmed, the use of the angiotensin receptor blockers likely had an inhibitory effect on the TGF-beta receptors. This breakthrough led to a large study completed by the Pediatric Heart Network to find additional information for management of pediatric MFS (Bolar, et al., 2012).

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