Treatment of Marfan Syndrome

Treatment Options

There is currently no cure for Marfan Syndrome. However, doctors can show you how to treat existing problems and help you to prevent many related problems.

Regular checkups with your family doctor are very important. Early diagnosis and recent medical advancements can greatly improve the quality of life and life expectancy for individuals diagnosed with the disease. In fact, many people with Marfan Syndrome can now live as long as individuals without the disease.

What will doctors do?

Doctors may send individuals to eye or heart specialists depending on the symptoms. They will also monitor individuals with x-rays and an electrocardiograms or ECG. Medication or surgery may be necessary depending on the individual.

Regular annual checkups are very important because they can detect related problems at a very early stage. More importantly, annual checkups can detect and treat serious complications that can turn fatal if left untreated.

Eyes

Regular eye exams are very important as most individuals with Marfan Syndrome suffer eye problems. Very young children should start seeing an eye doctor on an annual basis
because eye problems occur very early for affect individuals.

Doctors may prescribe contact lenses or glasses to treat myopia or nearsightedness. An ophthalmologist or eye specialist can also conduct special exams such as the slit-lamp eye exam that can help to detect common problems such as a dislocated lens, glaucoma or cataracts. More serious eye complications such as a detached retina will require surgery.

Skeleton

Curvature of the spine or scoliosis is very common with Marfan Syndrome. Therefore, individuals with the disorder should undergo regular checkups which include x-rays of their spine. A family doctor may refer a patient to an orthopedist or bone specialist.

Doctors may recommend wearing a brace to stabilize the spine and surgery may be necessary for more severe cases. Surgery may also be necessary to correct deformations in the breastbone if they end up pressing too hard on the heart or lungs.

Lungs

It is very important that people with Marfan Syndrome refrain from smoking because lung problems are very common. Individuals with the disorder have a greater chance of developing emphysema and smoking will just increase the risk even more. Regular checkups are also essential to detect any lung complications as early as possible.

Individuals with the disorder are usually advised not to play contact or competitive sports or engage in strenuous physical activities because it could lead to further complications.

Cardiovascular System

Most Marfan Syndrome patients experience heart problems. Consequently, they should undergo regular annual exams which may include an echocardiogram. This is an ultrasound used to examine the valves and aorta of the heart. Depending on the severity of the complications, a family doctor may refer patients to a cardiologist who specializes in heart problems.

Doctors may recommend wearing a medic alert bracelet. They may prescribe medication such as beta-adrenergic blockers which slow the heart rate and reduce stress on the aorta. Surgery may be necessary to replace faulty heart valves or fix a damaged aorta.

Researchers are currently studying the effects of using a drug called losartan on Marfan Syndrome patients. The drug is normally used to treat high blood pressure.

Nervous System

Many individuals with Marfan Syndrome suffer from complications of the nervous system. Pain in the lower back or legs are the most common problem and pain medication may be administered to alleviate suffering.

A test called magnetic resonance imaging or MRI can also detect dural ectasia which is a complication involving the membrane surrounding a person’s spinal cord.

Last updated: Feb 03, 2010

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