Marfan Syndrome - Treatment - Treatment
While Marfan syndrome has no cure, treatments can help delay or prevent complications, especially when started early. The type of treatment you receive will depend on what parts of your body are affected and the severity of your condition. You may have a team of doctors and specialists to coordinate your care.
Your healthcare team
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Marfan Syndrome - Treatment
In addition to your primary care doctor, your healthcare team may include:
- A cardiothoracic surgeon
- A genetic counselor
- Doctors specializing in the cardiovascular system (cardiologist), eyes (ophthalmologist), and skeleton (orthopedist)
- Nurses
Medicines
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Marfan Syndrome - Treatment
Your doctor may recommend blood pressure medicines to relieve any strain on or bulging of the aorta. These medicines help your heart beat slower and with less force.
- Beta blockers or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are the most common. Side effects of these medicines may include fatigue or feeling lightheaded or sick to your stomach.
- Calcium channel blockers or angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may be prescribed if you have side effects from beta blockers or ARBs.
Surgery to repair the aorta or heart valves
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Marfan Syndrome - Treatment
If your aorta is larger than normal, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair or replace part of the aorta to prevent it from rupturing or tearing open. If you have an aortic dissection or rupture, you will need emergency surgery to repair the aorta.
Your aortic valve may also be replaced with a mechanical or biological valve made from animal tissue. The valve may be replaced during the open surgery to repair the aneurysm.
If you have mitral regurgitation—where your blood flows backward into your left atrium—your doctor may recommend surgery to repair or replace your mitral valve.
Other surgeries and procedures
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Marfan Syndrome - Treatment
Your doctor may also recommend surgery for one of the following reasons:
- To repair severe scoliosis. For less severe scoliosis, your doctor may suggest a brace or other device to prevent the condition from getting worse.
- To repair a chest that sinks in or sticks out. This surgery is done to prevent the chest from pressing on the lungs and heart.
- To repair a collapsed lung from pneumothorax
- To repair a dislocated lens or detached retina in your eye