Surveillance Saves Lives

Surveillance saves lives. Spotting change early can stop tragedies. This Aortic Dissection Awareness Day, we’re sharing the guidelines outlining the frequency of scans for people with Marfan & Loeys-Dietz syndromes. Scan, spot, safeguard.

Several people have contacted our helpline asking about the recommended frequency of scans for a “stable aorta.” These individuals have confirmed Marfan syndrome, with aortic root measurements ranging from 3.9 cm to 4.1 cm. The patients, all in their twenties and thirties, have shown stable measurements over several years. Based on this, their cardiologists have extended the interval between echocardiograms from three to five years. We have advised that scans should still be performed annually for aortic measurements exceeding 3.5 cm, in accordance with current guidelines, pictured below.