Surgery>>>>>Thoracic Aneurysms and Aortic Dissection
Question 10#

A patient with Marfan syndrome who has undergone "aortic surgery" most likely had:

A. Aortic valve annuloplasty (annular plication)
B. Aortic root replacement (valve and ascending aorta)
C. Total arch replacement with reattachment of the brachiocephalic branches
D. Elephant trunk repair of thoracic aneurysm

Correct Answer is B

Comment:

Mechanical prostheses necessitate following a lifelong anticoagulation regimen. Separate replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta is not performed in patients with Marfan syndrome, because progressive dilatation of the remaining sinus segment eventually leads to complications that necessitate reoperation. Therefore, patients with Marfan syndrome or those with annuloaortic ectasia require some form of aortic root replacement.