Perspectives on diseases of the thoracic aorta

Surgical treatment of patients enrolled in the national registry of genetically triggered thoracic aortic conditions

BACKGROUND

Genetic disorders are an important cause of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) in young patients. Despite advances in the treatment of genetically triggered TAAs, the optimal syndrome-specific treatment approach remains undefined. We used data from the National Institutes of Health-funded, multicenter National Registry of Genetically Triggered Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Cardiovascular Conditions (GenTAC) to characterize the contemporary surgical treatment of patients with genetically triggered TAAs.

METHODS

GenTAC's aim is to collect longitudinal clinical data and banked biospecimens from 2800 patients with genetically triggered TAAs. We analyzed data from the 606 patients (mean age, 37.5 years) enrolled in GenTAC to date whose clinical data were available.

RESULTS

The patients' primary diagnoses included Marfan syndrome (35.8%), bicuspid aortic valve with aneurysm (29.2%), and familial TAAs and dissections (10.7%). Of these, 56.4% had undergone at least one operation; the most common indications were aneurysm (85.7%), valve dysfunction (65.8%), and dissection (25.4%). Surgical procedures included replacement of the aortic root (50.6%), ascending aorta (64.8%), aortic arch (27.9%), and descending or thoracoabdominal aorta (12.4%). Syndrome-specific differences in age, indications for operation, and procedure type were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with genetically transmitted TAAs evaluated in tertiary care centers frequently undergo surgical repair. Aneurysm repairs most commonly involve the aortic root and ascending aorta; distal repairs are less common. Like TAAs themselves, complications of TAAs, including dissection and aortic valve dysfunction, are important indications for intervention. Future studies will focus on syndrome- and gene-specific phenotypes, biomarkers, treatments, and outcomes to improve the treatment of patients with TAAs.

Rationale and design of the National Registry of Genetically Triggered Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Cardiovascular Conditions (GenTAC)

BACKGROUND

Although the management of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) has improved significantly, patients presenting with aortic dissections, rupture, or other acute complications of TAAs continue to have high rates of morbidity and mortality. Accumulating data have indicated that many TAAs are due to underlying gene mutations. A comprehensive approach to the study of TAAs resulting from genetic mutations is needed to translate this information into advances in treatment.

OBJECTIVE

The National Registry of Genetically Triggered Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms and Cardiovascular Conditions (GenTAC) was established to provide a biospecimen inventory and bioinformatics infrastructure to enable research to advance the clinical management of genetically triggered TAAs and related complications.

METHODS

GenTAC is a longitudinal observational cohort study enrolling patients with conditions related to genetically induced TAAs from 5 regional clinical centers in the United States.

RESULTS

More than 700 subjects with associated clinical histories, physical examinations, imaging data, and biospecimens have been enrolled in the Registry to date. Enrollment is expected to continue until September 2010. Total enrollment of nearly 3,000 subjects is expected. No interim analysis has yet been undertaken.

CONCLUSIONS

GenTAC has been established to facilitate studies by GenTAC investigators and others that will advance multiple scientific frontiers in thoracic aortic disease. Genotypic, proteomic, clinical, and imaging data will be integrated systematically with outcomes data to determine the optimal clinical management of patients with genetically induced TAAs.