AORTIC DILATION & MARFAN SYNDROME

本研究的目的是评价长效维拉帕米延缓马凡综合征患者主动脉根部扩张的疗效，以及维拉帕米和美托洛尔对马凡综合征患者主动脉弹性的影响。从这项研究中获得的信息可能会对马凡综合征患者的治疗产生重大的临床影响。目前，尚无可接受的替代β-受体阻滞剂治疗来延缓患者主动脉根部扩张的进展。对于不能接受β-肾上腺素能受体拮抗剂的患者，延缓主动脉扩张的替代疗法可能会对他们的发病率和死亡率产生重大影响。这项研究可能会确定维拉帕米是否代表了这种替代方案。

The aims of this study are to evaluate the efficacy of long term treatment with long acting verapamil in delaying aortic root dilation in patients with Marfan syndrome, and to evaluate the effect of treatment with verapamil and metoprolol on the elastic properties of the aorta in patients with Marfan syndrome. The information to be gained from this study may have significant clinical impact on the treatment of patients with the Marfan syndrome. Currently, there is no acceptable alternative to beta-blocker treatment for delaying the progression of aortic root dilation in afflicted patients. An alternative therapy for retardation of aortic dilatation for patients who cannot receive beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists could have a substantial impact upon their morbidity and mortality. This study may determine whether verapamil represents such an alternative.