Marfan syndrome increases risk for which cardiovascular complication?

• A. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• B. Aortic root dilation with risk of dissection
• C. Pulmonary embolism
• D. Myocardial infarction due to atherosclerosis

Answer: (B)

Marfan syndrome weakens the connective tissue of the aorta, especially the aortic root, due to a fibrillin-1 mutation. This predisposes the aorta to dilation (aneurysm formation) of the root and a high risk of acute dissection when the wall is stressed. Because aortic dissection can rapidly compromise blood flow or cause rupture, this is the primary cardiovascular danger associated with Marfan and the reason that the statement describing aortic root dilation with risk of dissection is the correct choice. In practice, management centers on monitoring aortic size with imaging, lowering shearing stress on the aorta with meds like beta-blockers (and sometimes ARBs), and considering surgical repair when dilation surpasses thresholds. Other cardiovascular issues listed—like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, pulmonary embolism, or myocardial infarction from atherosclerosis—aren’t the hallmark risks driven by Marfan’s connective-tissue defect.