Echocardiography in diagnosis and management of patients with Marfan syndrome

Abstract

The cardiovascular complications of Marfan syndrome require lifelong monitoring, even after surgical intervention. Echocardiography plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and evaluation of cardiovascular features, follow up and further decision regarding management in patients with Marfan syndrome. Echocardiography is used worldwide, the most widely available and cost effective non invasive technique for evaluating cardiac structures and the proximal aorta. The technique uses ultrasound and is therefore completely safe. A full study takes 30 min. Moreover, machines are now available the size of a smart phone, making this technique attractive for scanning patients repeatedly.