Marfan syndrome is a multi-systemic connective tissue disorder usually associated with mutation in the gene which encodes for the protein fibrillin, and occasionally with mutation in TGFBR1 or 2. About 27% of cases arise from a new mutation. Marfan syndrome is a variable autosomal dominant disorder with characteristic cardiovascular, eye and musculoskeletal features. Significant morbidity and mortality has been associated with progressive aortic dilatation, aortic valve incompetence which may lead to aortic dissection or rupture. Although, mitral valve prolapse, lens dislocation, myopia, and arthritis have also been implicated in causing substantial morbidity [1].

Clinical suspicion is often entertained in young individuals with tall, lean body habitus, arachnodactyly and pectus deformities. Sometimes, recurrent pneumothorax may increase its suspicion. The occurrence of a positive family history may be helpful, as about three-quarter of patients will have a family history of the syndrome [2]. To make the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome more consistent and of more prognostic value, the Berlin diagnostic criteria of 1988 [3] were revised and the clinical features codified as the Ghent nosology in 1996 [4]. Prophylactic medical treatment to protect the aorta with regular follow-up helps prevent or delay serious complications [2].

Although rheumatic heart diseases are nearly forgotten in developed countries, it is the commonest cardiovascular disease of children and young people in developing countries. Most patients initially present with shortness of breath and, without appropriate intervention, may progress to heart failure. RHD should be strongly considered a differential, in patients of Sub-Sahara African descent with a valvular murmur [5],[6].

A 25-year old male who presented at the medical out-patient unit of our hospital with progressive breathlessness of three months duration, initially on moderate exertion then progressing to occur at rest. He had orthopnoea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, nonproductive cough, right upper abdominal swelling and easy fatiguability. He didn’t give history of recurrent sore throat in the past or history suggestive of acute rheumatic fever. There was a family history of similar physical habitus in his father and two older siblings. His father died few years earlier while being managed for congestive cardiac failure in another hospital. On general physical examination, he was found to have marfanoid habitus with reduced upper/ lower segment ratio less than 0.85, arm span to height ratio greater than 1.05, presence of wrist and thumb [Steinberg] sign, arachnodactyly, clinodactyly, pectus carinatum, and high arched palate as shown in Figure 1. On cardiovascular examination, the pulse rate was 102 beats per minutes, regular, small volume, he had thickened arterial wall and locomotor brachialis, blood pressure was 100/60 mmHg, supine jugular veins were engorged, apex beat at the eighth left intercostal space anterior axillary line, was heaving. There was also left parasternal heave, soft first heart sound, second heart sound with louder pulmonary component, had apical pansystolic murmur that radiated anteriorly and to the axilla, along with a diastolic murmur that was best heard at the left sternal border.

On respiratory examination, he was tachypneic, with dull percussion note over the right lower lung zone laterally and posteriorly, the breath sound was vesicular with coarse crepitations in the right lower lung zone laterally and posteriorly with basal fine crepitations on the left. Abdominal examination revealed a distended abdomen with right upper abdominal region prominence, he had right indirect inguinal hernia which was reducible, liver was 6cm distended below the right coastal margin with a span of 16cm and there was no ascites. Central nervous system examination was normal. Ocular examination didn’t reveal presence of ectopia lentis or other ocular disorder.

Routine blood investigations were within normal limit. Chest X-ray showed features suggestive of pulmonary edema and massive cardiomegaly. Electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia, left ventricular hypertrophy and left atrial enlargement. Echocardiographic examination showed mitral valvular orifice area (MVOA) – 1.2 cm2, mitral valvular gradient (MVG) – 34/22 mmHg, Pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) – 58 mm of Hg with fusion of the anterior mitral commissure leaflet, he had severe dilatation of the aortic root (7.8cm) and effacement of the sino-tubular junction with severe aortic and mitral valve regurgitation as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3. There was no left atrial appendage clot. He was placed on anti-failure regimen including low dose losartan, intravenous antibiotics and anticoagulant. He is being followed up in the cardiology clinic.

Marfan syndrome is a heritable autosomal-dominant disorder caused by mutations in one of the genes for fibrillin-1, which is a structural protein that is the major component of microfibrils of elastin. The progressive dilatation of the aorta has been attributed to the defect in elastin activity and also the reduced quantity in connective tissues due to the mutation [7]. The most common cardiovascular diseases reported in MFS are mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and aortic dilatation. MVP was reported in a series to be present in around 75% of cases, with increased prevalence in adolescence [8],[9]. MFS patients are said to be at increased risk of sudden death due to aortic dissection and rupture with a reduced mean life expectancy estimated at about 32 years in a study. Heart failure from valvular regurgitation sums up to the death toll [8]. Some studies however, showed biventricular and atrial systolic and diastolic dysfunction in a series of adult patients with MFS without significant valvular disease [10],[11],[12],[13].

Our patient had RHD with moderate mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation and severe aortic root dilatation with a risk of aortic dissection, rupture and family history of sudden death.Treatment of this condition is often very complex as progressive valvular disorder which may require surgical intervention may be associated with a very high surgical risk which is even very expensive and not within the reach of the patient. Regular antibiotic prophylaxis, anti-failure regimen, anticoagulants to prevent cardio embolic stroke, low dose angiotensin receptor blockers and beta blockers with regular clinic and echocardiographic follow up constitute the current options of management adopted in this patient.

No specific laboratory investigation is required to make the diagnosis of Marfan’s syndrome but genetic testing can be done to confirm it. Even though valvular abnormalities are common in Marfan syndrome, rheumatic valvular heart diseases are rarely reported even from Africa. No specific surgical procedure exist to cure Marfan’s syndrome. There is evidence to show that angiotensin receptor blockers such as losartan may have potential effect to reverse some of the clinical manifestations of MFS such as aortic root dilatation, mitral valve prolapse or skeletal muscle dysfunction [14]. Medical therapy in the management of MFS is targeted at reducing cardiovascular decompensation. Medical therapy include use of beta blockers and afterload reducing agents which may reduce or halt the rate of progression of aortic root dilatation and dissection, reduction of aortic stiffness and improved cardiac compliance. Other medical therapy that can be used include nitroprusside, calcium channel blockers, e.g., verapamil [15],[16]. Non-operative methods such as bracing or thoracolumbosacral orthosis can be used to correct the scoliosis [17]. Surgical therapy options available for this patient include mitral valve repair and aortic root repair with replacement of the valves [18]. Percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy and percutaneous transmitral balloon commissurotomy had been successfully done for patients with severe mitral valve stenosis and Marfan’s syndrome in some case reports [19],[20].

This report highlights the rare coexistence of two major cardiovascular abnormalities, one inherited and the other one acquired. This is associated with significant cardiovascular risk and morbidity. Early screening and diagnosis are important measures to reduce the increased cardiovascular risk associated with these conditions especially in Africa where facilities for surgical interventions are not very available.