Rare mutations linked with catastrophic aortic aneurysms

TAAD causes thousands of deaths in the United States each year. Although timely surgical repair of aneurysms can prevent death, thoracic aneurysms are often asymptomatic until dissection (tearing of the vessel wall), and there are few recognised risk factors that can be used for screening. 'Prospective identification of patients at risk for TAAD using a genetic strategy will be critical to prevent sudden deaths from this treatable disease,' explains senior study author Dr John W. Belmont from Baylor College of Medicine...

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