Marfan Syndrome

About

Normal Aorta.

Enlarged Aorta
Enlargement of the aorta is the most serious problem associated with Marfan Syndrome (see heart surgery treatment).

The following features are characteristic of Marfan syndrome:

Skeleton

• Tall stature with the span of the arms exceeding height
• Long fingers and toes
• Flat feet
• Curved spine (also known as scoliosis)
• Chest wall deformity
• Excessive joint flexibility
• Reduced elbow extension
• High arched palate

Heart
The most serious problems associated with Marfan syndrome involve the heart and major blood vessels:

• Enlargement of the aorta
• Leakage of the aortic valve
• Leakage of the mitral valve related to mitral valve prolapse
• Aortic dissection (tearing of the wall of the aorta); this is a rare but very serious occurrence

Eyes

• Dislocation of the lens in the eye
• Nearsighted vision