title: Effect of beta-blockade on ascending aortic dilatation in children with the Marfan syndrome.
abstract: Aortic root dilatation is the principal life-threatening complication in Marfan syndrome, leading to aortic regurgitation, dissection, and rupture. Beta blockade slows aortic dilatation in adults, but there has been no definitive evidence in children. Therefore, the evolution of aortic diameter at the level of the sinuses of Valsalva in 155 children (82 males, 73 females) aged <12 years who had been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome according to international criteria was retrospectively studied. Affected children treated by beta blockade >or=1 time during their lives (n = 77, mean age at diagnosis 6.1 +/- 3.2 years) were compared with affected children who had never received beta blockers (n = 78; 42 males, mean age 7.4 +/- 5.2 years). A mean delay of 1.3 years was observed between diagnosis and the initiation of beta blockade in the treated group (mean age at initiation 7.5 years). At the time of diagnosis, aortic diameters were similar in the 2 groups, but after 1.3 years, aortic diameters were greater in the group of children in whom beta blockers had been initiated. On univariate analysis, aortic diameter was related to age and height, but not gender or familial history of aortic dissection. On multivariate analysis, treatment and age remained significant determinants of aortic diameter. Beta blockade significantly decreased the rate of aortic dilatation at the level of the sinuses of Valsalva by a mean of 0.16 mm/year (p <0.05), an effect that increased with treatment duration. A trend toward lower cardiac mortality, decreased need for preventive aortic surgery, and less dissection was observed. In conclusion, beta blockade appears to limit aortic dilatation during childhood in patients affected by Marfan syndrome. Therefore, this treatment should be recommended as soon as the diagnosis is made.
authors.affiliation: Consultation Marfan, Hôpital Ambroise Paré Assistance-Publique Hopitaux de Paris, France.
authors.forename: Magalie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ladouceur
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fermanian
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lupoglazoff
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Edouard
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dulac
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Acar
authors.forename: Suzel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Magnier
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jondeau
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008382:Marfan Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012850:Sinus of Valsalva; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists