Observations on the heart in a case of combined Ehlers-Danlos and Marfan syndromes

A case–control study found that low albumin and smoking were associated with aortic dissection

OBJECTIVE

Hypertension is a risk factor for aortic dissection. Besides hypertension, associated factors for incidence of aortic dissection are not clear. The aim of this study was to examine whether other factors exist by an epidemiologic case-control approach.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

240 consecutive cases suffering from acute aortic dissection were hospitalized in our university from 1989 to 2000. Blood chemistries and other information obtained immediately after admissions for the first attack were available in 226 patients. A case-control approach was performed by frequency matching age, sex, and history of hypertension in the remaining 226 cases with those of 226 healthy controls drawn from a similar geographic catchment area and all observed in 1989.

RESULTS

The mean albumin (3.6 +/- 0.5 vs. 4.3 +/- 0.2 g/dL: P<.001) level of cases was significantly lower than that of controls (odds ratio: 0.004 per g/dL). The frequency with which cases of current smokers was significantly higher than that of controls (odds ratio: 3.475). The above parameters of cases compared with controls were statistically significant after adjustments for age, sex, and history of hypertension.

CONCLUSION

Low albumin levels and smoking in addition to hypertension are significantly associated with aortic dissection.

Cardiovascular disease of connective tissue origin

Inherited abnormalities of connective tissue elements often cause changes in the structure and function of the cardiovascular system. Well-known heritable disorders of connective tissue in which cardiovascular abnormalities are prominent include the Marfan syndrome and the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Connective tissue abnormalities also occur without the associated features of a recognized syndrome. These include isolated valvular prolapse and anuloaortic ectasia. In this review, the cardiovascular features of connective tissue abnormalities--both the recognized syndromes and the isolated abnormalities--are described, important concepts in the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders are reviewed, and the classification of inherited connective tissue abnormalities of the cardiovascular system is discussed.

A case of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome associated with cleft lip and palate

A case of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome associated with cleft lip and palate is presented. This is the first reported case with cleft lip and palate. The cleft palate in our case was successfully repaired by palatoplasty (push-back operation). The aetiology, clinical features and surgical problems of this syndrome are discussed.

Cardiovascular abnormalities in the Marfanoid hypermobility syndrome

Two patients are described who had the body habitus of the Marfan syndrome, cutaneous hyperextensibility, and atrophic "cigarette paper" scars. One had mild joint hypermobility and the other had generalized ligamentous laxity. Both individuals are considered to be examples of the Marfanoid hypermobility syndrome, a generalized heritable connective tissue disease with features of, but genetically distinct from, the Marfan and Ehlers-Danlos syndromes. One patient had a "floppy" mitral valve and the other had an aortic aneurysm due to cystic medionecrosis of the aorta; both findings provide evidence that cardiovascular disease may be a significant feature of this syndrome.