PHN Publications

Rationale and Design of a Randomized Clinical Trial of B-Blocker Therapy (Atenolol) Versus Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker Therapy (Losartan) in Individuals with Marfan Syndrome (PDF), R. Lacro, Am Heart J 2007; 154:624-631.

The leading cause of death in people with Marfan syndrome is dilation, tearing and rupture of the aorta , the large artery that delivers blood from the heart to the body.   Recent studies in mice with Marfan syndrome showed that treatment with Losartan, a medication used to treat high blood pressure, prevented dilation and improved the structure of the wall of the aorta.  This article describes the design of a trial to compare Losartan to the standard medication (Atenolol) for patients with Marfan syndrome.  The goal of the trial is to follow over 600 children and young adults for 3 years to determine which drug does a better job slowing the rate of growth of the aorta.