FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

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Can car air bags be a danger to people who are affected with the Marfan syndrome? Is tae-bo safe for people with the Marfan syndrome? Can children with the Marfan syndrome safely go on roller coasters?

Excerpted from National Marfan Foundation: Fact Sheet, Q&A MedQuest, and other various internet resources

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What is the availability of genetic testing for the Marfan syndrome? What is the current state of surgery to have a dislocated lens removed? Who should consider the valve-sparing procedure for aortic repair surgery? Is attention deficit disorder (ADD) or hyperactivity associated with the Marfan Syndrome?

Does Marfan syndrome become more mild or more severe as the disorder is passed from generation to generation? To correct nearsightedness, can people with Marfan syndrome seek the newest options in laser surgery? What is the incidence of dural ectasia? What are the symptoms? When should children with Marfan syndrome start being evaluated? What tests should they undergo? What specialists should they see? At what aortic size should children undergo preventive surgery? If the entire aorta is replaced, is it necessary to have it monitored after the surgery? What is the success rate for eradicating infection of a composite graft? How can infection be prevented in a composite graft? When will gene therapy be available to treat Marfan syndrome?

If a child is the first in a family to be diagnosed with the Marfan syndrome, should others in the family be evaluted? Should everyone affected with the Marfan syndrome have an MRI of the spine and x-ray of the hips? Who is a candidate for lens replacement surgery? Is microsurgery possible for people with the Marfan syndrome who need aortic surgery? Can men with the Marfan syndrome take Viagra?

Do members of the same family who have Marfan syndrome have the same manifestations? What is the status of gene therapy for treatment of the Marfan syndrome? What are the alternatives to beta-blockers for controlling blood pressure if the beta-blockers are not well-tolerated or if there is a contraindication (e.g., asthma)? Are beta-blockers recommended for small children? How can endocarditis be prevented after graft or valve replacement surgery? Is spine surgery safe for Marfan syndrome patients who have cardiac involvement?