title: [Study of the efficacy and safety of losartan versus atenolol for aortic dilation in patients with Marfan syndrome].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Marfan syndrome is an inherited disease of the connective tissue. Recent trials have indicated the use of losartan (a transforming growth factor beta inhibitor) in these patients prevents aortic root enlargement. The aim of our clinical trial is to assess the efficacy and safety of losartan versus atenolol in the prevention of progressive dilation of the aorta in patients with Marfan syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a phase III clinical trial conducted in two institutions. A total of 150 subjects diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, aged between 5 and 60 years, of both sexes, and who meet the Ghent diagnostic criteria will be included in the study, with 75 patients per treatment group. It will be a randomized, double blind trial with parallel assignment to atenolol versus losartan (50 mg per day in patients below 50 kg and 100 mg per day in patients over 50 kg). Both growth and distensibility of the aorta will be assessed with echocardiography and magnetic resonance. Follow-up will be 3 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Efficacy of losartan versus atenolol in the prevention of progressive dilation of the aorta, improved aortic distensibility, and prevention of adverse events (aortic dissection or rupture, cardiovascular surgery, or death) will be assessed in this study. It will also show the possible treatment benefits at different age ranges and with relation to the initial level of aortic root dilation.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Marfan, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forteza
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Evangelista
authors.forename: Violeta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Teixidó
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: Paz
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sanz
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Centeno
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Palomares
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cortina
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: García-Dorado
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001011:Aorta / Q000473:pathology; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001262:Atenolol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019808:Losartan / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008382:Marfan Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001262:Atenolol; D019808:Losartan