Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Palatal Morphology, and Aortic Dilatation in Marfan Syndrome Growing Subjects: A Retrospective Study

Giuseppina Laganà, Nicolò Venza, Arianna Malara, Claudio Liguori, Paola Cozza and Calogera Pisano
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Giuseppina Laganà: Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Nicolò Venza: Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Arianna Malara: Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Claudio Liguori: Sleep Medicine Centre, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Paola Cozza: Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Calogera Pisano: Centre for Rare Diseases for Marfan Syndrome and Related Disorders, Department of Cardiac Surgery Unit, University of Tor Vergata General Hospital, 00133 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-10

Abstract: The main cause of mortality in Marfan syndrome (MS) is aortic disease. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in MS, and it is also associated with cardiovascular risk and maxillary deformities. The aim of this research was to analyze the possible relations between OSA, palatal morphology, and aortic root diameters in growing subjects. A group of 15 growing subjects with MS and a control group of healthy peers was selected. All of them underwent nocturnal polygraphic monitoring, digital dental casts, and transthoracic echocardiography. The results showed that OSA indexes and aortic diameters were significantly higher in the study group. Transversal palatal dimension was smaller in MS patients. Moreover, OSA severity was not related with maxillary contraction severity in MS. No correlation between OSA severity and increased aortic diameters occurred. A high prevalence of OSA, increased aortic dimensions, and significant contraction of palatal dimensions were observed in MS compared with the control group. None of these single factors may directly be associated with aortic dilation, but together, they might contribute to the development and progression of aortic aneurysm from a young age.

Keywords: Marfan syndrome; pediatric subjects; obstructive sleep apnea; palatal morphology; aneurysmal aorta (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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