Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Comprehensive Natural History Study in a Dutch National Cohort of 142 Patients.

BACKGROUND: Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a rare connective tissue disorder with a high risk for arterial, bowel, and uterine rupture, caused by heterozygous pathogenic variants in COL3A1. The aim of this cohort study is to provide further insights into the natural history of vEDS and describe genotype-phenotype correlations in a Dutch multicenter cohort to optimize patient care and increase awareness of the disease. METHODS: Individuals with vEDS throughout the Netherlands were included. The phenotype was charted by retrospective analysis of molecular and clinical data, combined with a one-time physical examination. RESULTS: A total of 142 individuals (50% female) participated the study, including 46 index patients (32%). The overall median age at genetic diagnosis was 41.0 years. More than half of the index patients (54.3%) and relatives (53.1%) had a physical appearance highly suggestive of vEDS. In these individuals, major events were not more frequent (P=0.90), but occurred at a younger age (P=0.01). A major event occurred more often and at a younger age in men compared with women (P<0.001 and P=0.004, respectively). Aortic aneurysms (P=0.003) and pneumothoraces (P=0.029) were more frequent in men. Aortic dissection was more frequent in individuals with a COL3A1 variant in the first quarter of the collagen helical domain (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Male sex, type and location of the COL3A1 variant, and physical appearance highly suggestive of vEDS are risk factors for the occurrence and/or early age of onset of major events. This national multicenter cohort study of Dutch individuals with vEDS provides a valuable basis for improving guidelines for the diagnosing, follow-up, and treatment of individuals with vEDS.

Growth charts for Marfan syndrome in the Netherlands and analysis of genotype-phenotype relationships.

To optimize care for children with Marfan syndrome (MFS) in the Netherlands, Dutch MFS growth charts were constructed. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the effect of FBN1 variant type (haploinsufficiency [HI]/dominant negative [DN]) on growth, and compare MFS-related height increase across populations. Height and weight data of individuals with MFS aged 0-21 years were retrospectively collected. Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale and Shape (GAMLSS) was used for growth chart modeling. To investigate genotype-phenotype relationships, FBN1 variant type was included as an independent variable in height-for-age and BMI-for-age models. MFS-related height increase was compared with that of previous MFS growth studies from the United States, Korea, and France. Height and weight data of 389 individuals with MFS were included (210 males). Height-for-age, BMI-for-age, and weight-for-height charts reflected the tall and slender MFS habitus throughout childhood. Mean increase in height of individuals with MFS compared with the general Dutch population was significantly lower than in the other three MFS populations compared to their reference populations. FBN1-HI variants were associated with taller height in both sexes, and decreased BMI in females (p-values <0.05). This Dutch MFS growth study broadens the notion that genetic background and MFS variant type (HI/DN) influence tall and slender stature in MFS.

A tailored approach to informing relatives at risk of inherited cardiac conditions: results of a randomised controlled trial.

If undetected, inherited cardiac conditions can lead to sudden cardiac death, while treatment options are available. Predictive DNA testing is therefore advised for at-risk relatives, and probands are currently asked to inform relatives about this. However, fewer than half of relatives attend genetic counselling. In this trial, we compared a tailored approach to informing relatives, in which probands were asked whether they preferred relatives to be informed by themselves or by the genetic counsellor, with current practice. Our primary outcome was uptake of genetic counselling in relatives in the first year after test result disclosure. Secondary outcomes were evaluation of the approach and impact on psychological/family functioning measured 3 (T1) and 9 (T2) months post-disclosure via telephone interviews and questionnaires. We included 96 probands; 482 relatives were eligible for counselling and genetic testing. We observed no significant difference in uptake of genetic counselling between the control (38%) and the intervention (37%) group (p = 0.973). Nor were there significant differences between groups in impact on family/psychological functioning. Significantly more probands in the tailored group were satisfied (p = 0.001) and felt supported (p = 0.003) by the approach, although they also felt somewhat coerced to inform relatives (p < 0.001) and perceived room for improvement (p < 0.001). To conclude, we observed no differences in uptake and impact on family/psychological functioning between the current and tailored approach, but probands in the tailored group more often felt satisfied. Further research on barriers to relatives attending genetic counselling and on how to optimize the provision of a tailored approach is needed.

Phenotypic spectrum of TGFB3 disease-causing variants in a Dutch-French cohort and first report of a homozygous patient.

Disease-causing variants in TGFB3 cause an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder which is hard to phenotypically delineate because of the small number of identified cases. The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional multicenter study is to elucidate the genotype and phenotype in an international cohort of TGFB3 patients. Eleven (eight novel) TGFB3 disease-causing variants were identified in 32 patients (17 families). Aortic root dilatation and mitral valve disease represented the most common cardiovascular findings, reported in 29% and 32% of patients, respectively. Dissection involving distal aortic segments occurred in two patients at age 50 and 52 years. A high frequency of systemic features (65% high-arched palate, 63% arachnodactyly, 57% pectus deformity, 52% joint hypermobility) was observed. In familial cases, incomplete penetrance and variable clinical expressivity were noted. Our cohort included the first described homozygous patient, who presented with a more severe phenotype compared to her heterozygous relatives. In conclusion, TGFB3 variants were associated with a high percentage of systemic features and aortic disease (dilatation/dissection) in 35% of patients. No deaths occurred from cardiovascular events or pregnancy-related complications. Nevertheless, homozygosity may be driving a more severe phenotype.

Results of next-generation sequencing gene panel diagnostics including copy-number variation analysis in 810 patients suspected of heritable thoracic aortic disorders.

Simultaneous analysis of multiple genes using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has become widely available. Copy-number variations (CNVs) in disease-associated genes have emerged as a cause for several hereditary disorders. CNVs are, however, not routinely detected using NGS analysis. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic yield and the prevalence of CNVs using our panel of Hereditary Thoracic Aortic Disease (H-TAD)-associated genes. Eight hundred ten patients suspected of H-TAD were analyzed by targeted NGS analysis of 21 H-TAD associated genes. In addition, the eXome hidden Markov model (XHMM; an algorithm to identify CNVs in targeted NGS data) was used to detect CNVs in these genes. A pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant was found in 66 of 810 patients (8.1%). Of these 66 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants, six (9.1%) were CNVs not detectable by routine NGS analysis. These CNVs were four intragenic (multi-)exon deletions in MYLK, TGFB2, SMAD3, and PRKG1, respectively. In addition, a large duplication including NOTCH1 and a large deletion encompassing SCARF2 were detected. As confirmed by additional analyses, both CNVs indicated larger chromosomal abnormalities, which could explain the phenotype in both patients. Given the clinical relevance of the identification of a genetic cause, CNV analysis using a method such as XHMM should be incorporated into the clinical diagnostic care for H-TAD patients.

HCN4 mutations in multiple families with bradycardia and left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Familial forms of primary sinus bradycardia have sometimes been attributed to mutations in HCN4, SCN5A, and ANK2. In these studies, no structural cardiac alterations were reported in mutation carriers. However, a cluster of reports in the literature describe patients presenting with sinus bradycardia in association with left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy (LVNC), pointing to a shared genetic cause. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to identify the genetic defect underlying the combined clinical presentation of bradycardia and LVNC, hypothesizing that these 2 clinical abnormalities have a common genetic cause. METHODS: Exome sequencing was carried out in 2 cousins from the index family that were affected by the combined bradycardia-LVNC phenotype; shared variants thus identified were subsequently overlaid with the chromosomal regions shared among 5 affected family members that were identified using single nucleotide polymorphism array analysis. RESULTS: The combined linkage analysis and exome sequencing in the index family identified 11 novel variants shared among the 2 affected cousins. One of these, p.Gly482Arg in HCN4, segregated with the combined bradycardia and LVNC phenotype in the entire family. Subsequent screening of HCN4 in 3 additional families with the same clinical combination of bradycardia and LVNC identified HCN4 mutations in each. In electrophysiological studies, all found HCN4 mutations showed a more negative voltage dependence of activation, consistent with the observed bradycardia. CONCLUSIONS: Although mutations in HCN4 have been previously linked to bradycardia, our study provides the first evidence to our knowledge that mutations in this ion channel gene also may be associated with structural abnormalities of the myocardium.

A mutation in the Kozak sequence of GATA4 hampers translation in a family with atrial septal defects.

Atrial septal defect (ASD) is the most common congenital heart defect clinically characterized by an opening in the atrial septum. Mutations in GATA4, TBX5, and NKX2-5 underlie this phenotype. Here, we report on the identification of a novel -6 G>C mutation in the highly conserved Kozak sequence in the 5'UTR of GATA4 in a small family presenting with two different forms of ASD. This is the first time a mutation in the Kozak sequence has been linked to heart disease. Functional assays demonstrate reduced GATA4 translation, though the GATA4 transcript levels remain normal. This leads to a reduction of GATA4 protein level, consequently diminishing the ability of GATA4 to transactivate target genes, as demonstrated by using the GATA4-driven Nppa (ANF) promoter. In conclusion, we identified a mutation in the GATA4 Kozak sequence that likely contributes to the pathogenesis of ASD. In general, it points to the importance of accurate protein level regulation during heart development and emphasizes the need to analyze the entire transcribed region when screening for mutations.

Bicuspid aortic valve morphology and associated cardiovascular abnormalities in fetal Turner syndrome: a pathomorphological study.

INTRODUCTION: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is common in Turner syndrome (TS). In adult TS, 82-95% of BAVs have fusion of the right and left coronary leaflets. Data in fetal stages are scarce. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into aortic valve morphology and associated cardiovascular abnormalities in a fetal TS cohort with adverse outcome early in development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied post-mortem heart specimens of 36 TS fetuses and 1 TS newborn. RESULTS: BAV was present in 28 (76%) hearts. BAVs showed fusion of the right and left coronary leaflet (type 1 BAV) in 61%, and fusion of the right coronary and non-coronary leaflet (type 2 BAV) in 39%. There were no significant differences in occurrence of additional cardiovascular abnormalities between type 1 and type 2 BAV. However, all type 2 BAV hearts showed ascending aorta hypoplasia and tubular hypoplasia of the B segment, as opposed to only 55 and 64% of type 1 BAV hearts, respectively. DISCUSSION: The proportion of type 2 BAV seems higher in TS fetuses than in adults. Fetal type 2 BAV hearts all had severe aortic pathology, possibly contributing to a worse prognosis of type 2 than type 1 BAV in TS.

Ebstein anomaly associated with left ventricular noncompaction: an autosomal dominant condition that can be caused by mutations in MYH7.

Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a relatively common genetic cardiomyopathy, characterized by prominent trabeculations with deep intertrabecular recesses in mainly the left ventricle. Although LVNC often occurs in an isolated entity, it may also be present in various types of congenital heart disease (CHD). The most prevalent CHD in LVNC is Ebstein anomaly, which is a rare form of CHD characterized by apical displacement and partial fusion of the septal and posterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve with the ventricular septum. Several reports of sporadic as well as familial cases of Ebstein anomaly associated with LVNC have been reported. Recent studies identified mutations in the MYH7 gene, encoding the sarcomeric ß-myosin heavy chain protein, in patients harboring this specific phenotype. Here, we will review the association between Ebstein anomaly, LVNC and mutations in MYH7, which seems to represent a subtype of Ebstein anomaly with autosomal dominant inheritance and variable penetrance.

The value of the clinical geneticist caring for adults with congenital heart disease: diagnostic yield and patients' perspective.

For adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), knowledge about the origin and inheritance of their CHD is important. Clinical geneticists may play a significant role in their care. We explored the diagnostic yield of clinical genetic consultation of adult CHD patients, patients' motivations for the consultation, implications for reproductive decisions, patients' evaluation of the impact of provided information, and satisfaction with counseling. Chart review was performed on all adult patients referred for CHD to our clinical genetics department between 2000 and 2011 (n = 90). Additionally, a questionnaire was sent to those patients referred between 2005 and 2011 (n = 64), of which 46 useful questionnaires were returned (72% response). Of patients without an etiological diagnosis at referral (n = 83), 17 (20%) were eventually diagnosed with syndromic CHD, 6 (7%) with nonsyndromic monogenetic CHD and 45 (54%) with nonsyndromic multifactorial CHD. The diagnosis remained undetermined in 15 (18%) patients. Half of patients who returned the questionnaire had purposefully postponed having children until after genetic consultation and 13% had changed their mind about having children or not after the consultation. Counseling was valued positively. In this study, we showed the added value of clinical genetic consultation in the care for adult CHD patients: it improves diagnostics by establishing an etiological diagnosis and associated recurrence risk in a substantial proportion of patients and leads to more informed reproductive decisions. With new genetic testing technologies an etiological diagnosis may be established in an increasing number of patients in the near future.

Inflammation aggravates disease severity in Marfan syndrome patients.

BACKGROUND: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a pleiotropic genetic disorder with major features in cardiovascular, ocular and skeletal systems, associated with large clinical variability. Numerous studies reveal an involvement of TGF-ß signaling. However, the contribution of tissue inflammation is not addressed so far. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here we showed that both TGF-ß and inflammation are up-regulated in patients with MFS. We analyzed transcriptome-wide gene expression in 55 MFS patients using Affymetrix Human Exon 1.0 ST Array and levels of TGF-ß and various cytokines in their plasma. Within our MFS population, increased plasma levels of TGF-ß were found especially in MFS patients with aortic root dilatation (124 pg/ml), when compared to MFS patients with normal aorta (10 pg/ml; p = 8×10(-6), 95% CI: 70-159 pg/ml). Interestingly, our microarray data show that increased expression of inflammatory genes was associated with major clinical features within the MFS patients group; namely severity of the aortic root dilatation (HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DRB5 genes; r = 0.56 for both; False Discovery Rate(FDR) = 0%), ocular lens dislocation (RAET1L, CCL19 and HLA-DQB2; Fold Change (FC) = 1.8; 1.4; 1.5, FDR = 0%) and specific skeletal features (HLA-DRB1, HLA-DRB5, GZMK; FC = 8.8, 7.1, 1.3; FDR = 0%). Patients with progressive aortic disease had higher levels of Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (M-CSF) in blood. When comparing MFS aortic root vessel wall with non-MFS aortic root, increased numbers of CD4+ T-cells were found in the media (p = 0.02) and increased number of CD8+ T-cells (p = 0.003) in the adventitia of the MFS patients. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: In conclusion, our results imply a modifying role of inflammation in MFS. Inflammation might be a novel therapeutic target in these patients.

The ambiguous role of NKX2-5 mutations in thyroid dysgenesis.

NKX2-5 is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor implied in both heart and thyroid development. Numerous mutations in NKX2-5 have been reported in individuals with congenital heart disease (CHD), but recently a select few have been associated with thyroid dysgenesis, among which the p.A119S variation. We sequenced NKX2-5 in 303 sporadic CHD patients and 38 families with at least two individuals with CHD. The p.A119S variation was identified in two unrelated patients: one was found in the proband of a family with four affected individuals with CHD and the other in a sporadic CHD patient. Clinical evaluation of heart and thyroid showed that the mutation did not segregate with CHD in the familial case, nor did any of the seven mutation carriers have thyroid abnormalities. We tested the functional consequences of the p.A119S variation in a cellular context by performing transactivation assays with promoters relevant for both heart and thyroid development in rat heart derived H10 cells and HELA cells. There was no difference between wildtype NKX2-5 and p.A119S NKX2-5 in activation of the investigated promoters in both cell lines. Additionally, we reviewed the current literature on the topic, showing that there is no clear evidence for a major pathogenic role of NKX2-5 mutations in thyroid dysgenesis. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that p.A119S does not cause CHD or TD and that it is a rare variation that behaves equal to wildtype NKX2-5. Furthermore, given the wealth of published evidence, we suggest that NKX2-5 mutations do not play a major pathogenic role in thyroid dysgenesis, and that genetic testing of NKX2-5 in TD is not warranted.

Adults with congenital heart disease: patients' knowledge and concerns about inheritance.

With recent advances in medical and surgical management, most patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) survive to reproductive age. Current guidelines recommend counseling about inheritance and transmission of CHD to offspring. We evaluated whether adult CHD patients recalled having received information about the inheritance of their CHD, patients' knowledge about inheritance and their concerns in this regard. A questionnaire was sent to 486 non-syndromic CHD patients aged 20-45 years. We received 332 useful questionnaires (response rate 68%). One-third (33%) of patients recalled receiving information about inheritance of CHD from their cardiologist, and 13% had consulted a clinical geneticist. Eight percent of patients who were considering having children estimated the recurrence risk for their own offspring to be 1% or lower, whereas one-fourth (25%) estimated it to be higher than 10%. According to our classification, 44% estimated the recurrence risk in a correct range of magnitude. Additional information about inheritance of CHD was desired by 41% of patients. Forty-two percent of patients considering having children reported concerns about transmitting CHD to offspring. We conclude that a substantial proportion of adult CHD patients lacks knowledge and desires more information about inheritance, indicating a need for better patient education. Current guidelines and/or their implementation do not seem to meet the needs of these patients. A dedicated program of counseling for adults with CHD has to be developed to optimize knowledge and satisfaction with information provision and to reduce or manage concerns regarding inheritance of CHD.

A mutation in C2orf64 causes impaired cytochrome c oxidase assembly and mitochondrial cardiomyopathy.

The assembly of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV (cytochrome c oxidase) involves the coordinated action of several assembly chaperones. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, at least 30 different assembly chaperones have been identified. To date, pathogenic mutations leading to a mitochondrial disorder have been identified in only seven of the corresponding human genes. One of the genes for which the relevance to human pathology is unknown is C2orf64, an ortholog of the S. cerevisiae gene PET191. This gene has previously been shown to be a complex IV assembly factor in yeast, although its exact role is still unknown. Previous research in a large cohort of complex IV deficient patients did not support an etiological role of C2orf64 in complex IV deficiency. In this report, a homozygous mutation in C2orf64 is described in two siblings affected by fatal neonatal cardiomyopathy. Pathogenicity of the mutation is supported by the results of a complementation experiment, showing that complex IV activity can be fully restored by retroviral transduction of wild-type C2orf64 in patient-derived fibroblasts. Detailed analysis of complex IV assembly intermediates in patient fibroblasts by 2D-BN PAGE revealed the accumulation of a small assembly intermediate containing subunit COX1 but not the COX2, COX4, or COX5b subunits, indicating that C2orf64 is involved in an early step of the complex IV assembly process. The results of this study demonstrate that C2orf64 is essential for human complex IV assembly and that C2orf64 mutational analysis should be considered for complex IV deficient patients, in particular those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

A novel autosomal dominant condition consisting of congenital heart defects and low atrial rhythm maps to chromosome 9q.

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) occur mostly sporadic, but familial CHD cases have been reported. Mutations in several genes, including NKX2.5, GATA4 and NOTCH1, were identified in families and patients with CHD, but the mechanisms underlying CHD are largely unknown. We performed genome-wide linkage analysis in a large four-generation family with autosomal dominant CHD (including atrial septal defect type I and II, tetralogy of Fallot and persistent left superior vena cava) and low atrial rhythm, a unique phenotype that has not been described before. We obtained phenotypic information including electrocardiography, echocardiography and DNA of 23 family members. Genome-wide linkage analysis on 12 affected, 5 unaffected individuals and 1 obligate carrier demonstrated significant linkage only to chromosome 9q21-33 with a multipoint maximum LOD score of 4.1 at marker D9S1690, between markers D9S167 and D9S1682. This 48-cM critical interval corresponds to 39 Mb and contains 402 genes. Sequence analysis of nine candidate genes in this region (INVS, TMOD1, TGFBR1, KLF4, IPPK, BARX1, PTCH1, MEGF9 and S1PR3) revealed no mutations, nor were genomic imbalances detected using array comparative genomic hybridization. In conclusion, we describe a large family with CHD and low atrial rhythm with a significant LOD score to chromosome 9q. The phenotype is representative of a mild form of left atrial isomerism or a developmental defect of the sinus node and surrounding tissue. Because the mechanisms underlying CHD are largely unknown, this study represents an important step towards the discovery of genes implied in cardiogenesis.

Mutations in the sarcomere gene MYH7 in Ebstein anomaly.

BACKGROUND: Ebstein anomaly is a rare congenital heart malformation characterized by adherence of the septal and posterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve to the underlying myocardium. An association between Ebstein anomaly with left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) and mutations in MYH7 encoding ß-myosin heavy chain has been shown; in this report, we have screened for MYH7 mutations in a cohort of probands with Ebstein anomaly in a large population-based study. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mutational analysis in a cohort of 141 unrelated probands with Ebstein anomaly was performed by next-generation sequencing and direct DNA sequencing of MYH7. Heterozygous mutations were identified in 8 of 141 samples (6%). Seven distinct mutations were found; 5 were novel and 2 were known to cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. All mutations except for 1 3-bp deletion were missense mutations; 1 was a de novo change. Mutation-positive probands and family members showed various congenital heart malformations as well as LVNC. Among 8 mutation-positive probands, 6 had LVNC, whereas among 133 mutation-negative probands, none had LVNC. The frequency of MYH7 mutations was significantly different between probands with and without LVNC accompanying Ebstein anomaly (P<0.0001). LVNC segregated with the MYH7 mutation in the pedigrees of 3 of the probands, 1 of which also included another individual with Ebstein anomaly. CONCLUSIONS: Ebstein anomaly is a congenital heart malformation that is associated with mutations in MYH7. MYH7 mutations are predominantly found in Ebstein anomaly associated with LVNC and may warrant genetic testing and family evaluation in this subset of patients.

22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome is under-recognised in adult patients with tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary atresia.

BACKGROUND: Three quarters of patients with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS) have congenital heart disease (CHD), typically conotruncal heart defects. Although it is currently common practice to test all children with typical CHD for 22q11.2DS, many adult patients have not been tested in the past and therefore 22q11.2DS might be under-recognised in adults. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of 22q11.2DS in adults with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and pulmonary atresia (PA)/ventricular septal defect (VSD) and to assess the level of recognition of the syndrome in adult patients. METHODS: Patients were identified from CONCOR, a nationwide registry for adult patients with CHD. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of TOF or PA/VSD and the availability of DNA. Patients with syndromes other than 22q11.2DS were excluded. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification was used to detect 22q11.2 microdeletions. RESULTS: 479 patients with TOF and 79 patients with PA/VSD (56% male, median age 34.7 years) were included and analysed. Twenty patients were already known to have 22q11.2DS. A 22q11.2 microdeletion was detected in a further 24 patients. Thirty-one patients with TOF (6.5%) had 22q11.2DS, whereas 13 patients with PA/VSD had 22q11.2DS (16.5%). Of all 22q11.2 microdeletions, 54% (24/44) were unknown before this study. CONCLUSION: This study shows that although the prevalence of 22q11.2DS in adults with TOF and PA/VSD is substantial, it is unrecognised in more than half of patients. As the syndrome has important clinical and reproductive implications, a diagnostic test should be considered in all adult patients with TOF and PA/VSD.

Losartan therapy in adults with Marfan syndrome: study protocol of the multi-center randomized controlled COMPARE trial.

BACKGROUND: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is one of the most common systemic disorders of connective tissue with the incidence of approximately 2-3 per 10 000 individuals. Aortic disease, leading to progressive aneurysmal dilatation and dissection is the main cause of morbidity and mortality of Marfan patients. Current treatment (e.g. beta blockers and elective surgery) does postpone but cannot prevent aortic complications in these patients. Recent studies have found transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) to be involved in the aortic aneurysm formation. Losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker inhibits TGFbeta in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome leading to inhibition of aortic growth. The main objective of this trial is to assess whether losartan treatment leads to a clinically relevant decrease of aortic dilatation in adult patients with Marfan syndrome. METHODS/DESIGN: COMPARE study (COzaar in Marfan Patients Reduces aortic Enlargement) is an open-label, randomized, controlled trial with blinded end-points. Treatment with losartan will be compared with no additional treatment after 3 years of follow-up. We will enroll 330 patients with MFS who will be randomly assigned to receive losartan or not. Patients taking beta-blockers will continue taking their standard treatment. The primary end-point is the largest change in aortic diameter at any aortic level measured by means of MRI. Secondary end-points are change in mortality, incidence of dissection, elective aortic surgery, aortic volume, aortic stiffness and ventricular function. We will also investigate gene and protein expression change in the skin under losartan therapy and create prediction models for losartan-treatment response and aortic dilatation. DISCUSSION: The COMPARE study will provide important evidence of effects of losartan treatment in adult Marfan patient population. We expect losartan to significantly reduce the occurrence and progression of aortic dilatation. This trial investigates a wide spectrum of clinical, genetic and biochemical effects of losartan aiming to provide further insight in the pathogenesis and treatment of Marfan syndrome. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register NTR1423.

Testing the children: do non-genetic health-care providers differ in their decision to advise genetic presymptomatic testing on minors? A cross-sectional study in five countries in the European Union.

BACKGROUND: Within Europe many guidelines exist regarding the genetic testing of minors. Predictive and presymptomatic genetic testing of minors is recommended for disorders for which medical intervention/preventive measures exist, and for which early detection improves future medical health. AIM: This study, which is part of the larger 5th EU-framework "genetic education" (GenEd) study, aimed to evaluate the self-reported responses of nongenetic health-care providers in five different EU countries (Germany, France, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands) when confronted with a parent requesting presymptomatic testing on a minor child for a treatable disease. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design using postal, structured scenario-based questionnaires that were sent to 8129 general practitioners (GPs) and pediatricians, between July 2004 and October 2004, addressing self-reported management of a genetic case for which early medical intervention during childhood is beneficial, involving a minor. RESULTS: Most practitioners agreed on testing the oldest child, aged 12 years (81.5% for GPs and 87.2% for pediatricians), and not testing the youngest child, aged 6 months (72.6% for GPs and 61.3% for pediatricians). After multivariate adjustment there were statistical differences between countries in recommending a genetic test for the child at the age of 8 years. Pediatricians in France (50%) and Germany (58%) would recommend a test, whereas in the United Kingdom (22%), Sweden (30%), and the Netherlands (32%) they would not. CONCLUSION: Even though presymptomatic genetic testing in minors is recommended for disorders for which medical intervention exists, EU physicians are uncertain at what age starting to do so in young children.