Marfan's syndrome

Marfan’s syndrome is an inherited condition that affects the body’s connective tissues, including the eyes, the skeleton and the blood vessels in the heart. The aorta (the large blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body) may be more fragile and thus more susceptible to dilatation and possible rupture, and the mitral valve (between the left ventricle and upper left filling chamber) may not close properly when the heart contracts.

Our Cardiorespiratory Unit regularly refer to information published by the Marfan Trust when explaining Marfan's syndrome to our patients and their families.

Read the Marfan Trust's guide to Marfan's syndrome