Aortopathy in Persons With Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Turner and Marfan Syndrome
Aortopathy in Persons With Bicuspid Aortic Valve, Turner and Marfan Syndrome
The study aim is:

 1. To examine aortic tissue by light microscopy

 2. To examine aortic tissue by electron microscopy

 3. To study changes in the epigenome and transcriptome of the X chromosome specific to
 aortic tissue.

 4. To examine aortic tissue using biochemistry including proteomics.

 5. To establish the karyotype of fibroblasts with standard chromosome examination on 10
 meta-phases as well as by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with probes covering
 the X and Y chromosome. Using the latter 200 meta-phases will be examined.

 30 controls who did not die from aortic dissection or dilation will be recruited from The
 Department of Forensic Medicine at Aarhus University Hospital.

 The investigators will subject samples of aortic tissue from women undergoing prophylactic
 aortic surgery due to either Marfan syndrome or bicuspid aortic valve to the same panel of
 examinations (except karyotyping). Lastly the investigators will compare the results from the
 three groups (Turner syndrome, Marfan syndrome and Bicuspid aortic valve).
Turner syndrome is a congenital complete or partial lack of one of the female sex chromosomes
 affecting 1 of 2000 live born girls. The syndrome is characterized by an increased prevalence
 of ischemic heart disease, aortic dilation and dissection, hypertension, stroke and
 autoimmune diseases in general.
Turner syndrome (TS).

 A. Inclusion

 -  TS verified by genotyping

 -  Age > 18 years

 -  Awaiting operation due to aortic dilation

 B. Exclusion - Previous aortic dissection or operation of the aorta (per-cutaneous or open
 surgery)

 Marfan syndrome (MS)

 A. Inclusion

 -  Females with MS verified clinically or by genotyping

 -  Age > 18 years

 -  Awaiting operation due to aortic dilation

 B. Exclusion

 - Previous aortic dissection or operation of the aorta (per-cutaneous or open surgery)

 Bicuspid aortic valve

 A. Inclusion

 -  Females with Bicuspid aortic valve

 -  Age > 18 years

 -  Awaiting operation due to aortic dilation

 B. Exclusion - Previous aortic dissection or operation of the aorta (per-cutaneous or open
 surgery)

 Controls

 A. Inclusion

 -  Men/females who died from conditions other than aortic dilation or dissection.

 -  Age 20-60 years.

 B. Exclusion

 - Previous aortic dissection or operation of the aorta (per-cutaneous or open surgery)