Key result
Marfan syndrome was associated with a significantly higher prevalence of postsystolic thickening compared to healthy controls (56% vs 23%, p=0.003), indicating potential early myocardial injury.
Why the study?
The mechanisms driving cardiac remodeling in Marfan syndrome remain debated, specifically whether it arises from structural dysfunction of the myocardial extracellular matrix or increased afterload from aortic dilation.
Is postsystolic thickening more prevalent in Marfan syndrome and associated with increased afterload?
Cross-Sectional (n=80)
Yes
Is postsystolic thickening more prevalent in Marfan syndrome and associated with increased afterload?
Absolute Event Rate: 56% vs 23%
p-value: p=0.003
Postsystolic thickening is significantly more prevalent in Marfan syndrome and may serve as a novel echocardiographic indicator of early myocardial damage due to increased afterload.
The mechanisms leading to cardiac remodeling in Marfan syndrome (MFS) are a matter of debate since it could be either due to structural dysfunction of the myocardial extracellular matrix or to increased afterload caused by the dilated aorta. We aim to characterize the presence of abnormal myocardial function in MFS and to investigate its potential association with increased afterload. Aorta, left ventricle (LV) and the postsystolic thickening (PST) were analyzed in echocardiography in Fbn1 C1039G/ + mice and in patients with MFS in comparison with wild type (WT) mice and healthy humans. PST was more frequent in MFS than in WT mice (p < 0.05). MFS mice with PST showed larger aorta than those without PST. Patients with MFS showed larger aorta, poorer LV function and a higher prevalence of PST (56%) than did the healthy controls (23%); p = 0.003. Blood pressure was similar. The higher prevalence of PST in an experimental murine model and in MFS patients, regardless of systemic arterial pressure, suggests an increased afterload on the LV myocardium. This finding supports the use of PST as an indicator of myocardial damage and encourage searching for novel early preventive therapy.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Mas‐Stachurska et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Marfan syndrome (n=80). Marfan syndrome vs. Healthy controls was evaluated on Prevalence of postsystolic thickening (PST) (p=0.003). Marfan syndrome was associated with a significantly higher prevalence of postsystolic thickening compared to healthy controls (56% vs 23%, p=0.003), indicating potential early myocardial injury.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: