Research is so important in Marfan syndrome. As a result of thirty years of research in which our patients and their families have been closely involved, the average life expectancy of a Marfan patient has risen from 32 to 68 years. 30 years of research has meant 30 additional years of life, and among other significant achievements our research identified the first instances of a genetic mutation contributing to Marfan syndrome in the UK. Now sixty such genes have been discovered to cause aortic aneurysms, and we estimate that seventy more remain to be found.

contact details - Dr Anne Child,MD FRCP, Honorary Consultant Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Trust,

e: [email protected]

Katrina Parnacott