Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Michigan have initiated a study to learn more about the mental and physical benefits of exercise in patients who survived a Type A or Type B aortic dissection.

Individuals who have had an aortic dissection and want to undertake regular exercise in a safe and supported way are encouraged to participate in the study.

To enroll, individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have had a thoracic aortic dissection
• Are physically able to do all the following exercises: arm curls, hand grips, run on a treadmill, bicycle, leg lifts while lying on back, wall sits
• Have regular access to a treadmill or exercise bike that can be used for exercise

During the study, participants will be required to:

• Wear a 24-hour blood pressure monitor at the beginning and end of the study
• Have their blood pressure and hand grip strength measured.
• Complete online questionnaires
• Exercise for 150 minutes/week, if assigned to the exercise group

Time Commitment

The study will run for 12 months and involves attending two in-person study visits at one of the institutions listed above. Participants in the exercise group will also attend three virtual sessions that can be done from home.

Equipment Needed

Individuals in the exercise group only will need to have access to a treadmill or stationary bike – either at home or at a gym – and a device with a camera for attending virtual sessions (e.g., a phone, table, or computer).

Provided to Participants

The study team will provide compensation for each in-person attendance as well as exercise equipment for participants to use and keep, if they are assigned to the exercise group.

Contact Info

Individuals who want to learn more about the study can email exercisestudy@uth.tmc.edu or contact the study’s research coordinators, Kayla House or Bansari Rajani at 713.500.5239.

Anyone interested in participating in the study can provide their contact info at https://bit.ly/signupforexercise.

Researchers at the University of Kentucky are inviting you to participate in a highly collaborative, research project that aims at better understanding hip joint health and function in patients with Marfan syndrome. The study will be conducted at the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Kentucky. Testing will take between 3-4 hours and can be split between two days. The x-ray and MRI performed will be paid for by the study. You will be compensated for your participation in this study.

You may eligible to participate if you:

• Are between the ages of 18-75
• Are able to undergo an MRI (i.e., not pregnant, no pacemaker, etc.)
• Are cleared for exercise by your physician
• Have a confirmed diagnosis of Marfan syndrome by a physician

For more information, contact Michael Samaan at (859) 257-2706 or michael.samaan@uky.edu.

You are invited to participate in a research study aiming to describe the reproductive health history of individuals diagnosed with Marfan syndrome and Loeys-Dietz syndrome. To our knowledge, this research study is the first of its kind to characterize these aspects of health in these populations.  The results of this research study will increase awareness of the unique characteristics of reproductive health in individuals diagnosed with these conditions.

You are eligible to participate in this survey if you meet the following criteria:

1. You are biologically female.
2. You are over the age of 18.
3. You have been formally diagnosed with either Marfan syndrome or Loeys-Dietz syndrome.

To participate, you will be asked to complete an online survey. This survey should take no more than 20 minutes to complete, and includes questions characterizing your menstrual cycle, reproductive history, and previous diagnoses with conditions of the reproductive system, along with screening questions for certain conditions of the reproductive system.

You may follow this link to learn more about and take the survey: https://redcap.ccf.org/redcap/surveys/?s=FTFKDXJ7FRJMHJRK.

If you have questions, you may direct them to Dr. Elliott Richards at richare@ccf.org, or to our study personnel, Cydni Akesson, at akessoc@ccf.org.

This announcement is regarding voluntary and anonymous participation in a research study at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) regarding the impact of skin manifestations of Marfan syndrome on patients of different genders, ethnicities, and skin color.

The purpose of the study is to understand how skin findings associated with Marfan syndrome, such as stretch marks, may affect the psychological, emotional, and social well beings of patients who have them.

The link to the online Qualtrics survey is below and takes approximately 3-5 minutes to complete.

If one decides to fill out the survey, answering each question is completely voluntary. One may choose to stop at any time and may choose to skip questions they are not comfortable answering. Again, this survey is voluntary and completely anonymous, and no personnel from MSUCOM will have access to any patient medical records or tissue samples. Patients may withdraw before submitting the survey at any time. Patients who submit the survey voluntarily agree and give consent to participation in this research study.

Patients must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Questions may be forwarded to the principal investigator of this study, Dr. Raquel Ritchie, at rritchie@msu.edu.

Survey link: https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3QOrZ5Xc8uAvsBU

A Twist of Fate-ATS is interested in learning more about individuals affected by Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Stickler syndrome, arterial tortuosity syndrome, cutis laxa, and Myhre syndrome, including the medical specialists seen most frequently by these individuals, the most significant challenges they experience in daily life, and where gaps in knowledge of these conditions may exist.

Any individual affected by Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Stickler syndrome, arterial tortuosity syndrome, cutis laxa, and Myhre syndrome is encouraged to participate by completing at least one de-identified survey. A parent or guardian may complete the survey for an individual who is under the age of 18, or a legally authorized representative (LAR) may complete the survey on behalf of an adult who is unable to provide consent.

The surveys request basic contact, sociodemographic, and health information. This information will be saved under a unique coded identifier that cannot be traced back to participants.

To complete the survey, click here.

For more information about this study, call Andrea Taylor at (501) 605-3991 or email andrea@atwistoffate.org.

Researchers at Stanford University are interested in learning how the use of resources (e.g., meetings, community events, social media, etc.) changed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as how patients want to access resources moving forward. The study team will use the insight they gain to help healthcare providers, organizations, and support groups better tailor resources for the communities they serve.

In this study, participants will be asked to complete an anonymous online survey. The survey is estimated to take approximately 15 minutes or less and will ask questions regarding resources used prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and perceived benefits and drawbacks of these resources. The survey also contains questions that investigate preferences for resource use moving forward.

Individuals must meet the following criteria to participate in the study:

1. Be 18 years or older
2. Have, or have a child with, one of the following conditions:

• Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Marfan syndrome
• Loeys-Dietz syndrome
• Hereditary thoracic aortic disease

To complete the anonymous survey, go to https://stanforduniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bE4TyjMOSvlabKS.

For questions related to this study, contact Diego Quintero at diquinte@stanford.edu.

The NIGMS (National Institute of General Medical Sciences) Repository, housed at the Coriell Institute, is a research biobank that collects blood and/or tissue samples from individuals with genetic diseases and makes them into cell lines and DNA for scientists to use in biomedical research. Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS), Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (VEDS), and Marfan syndrome were recently listed on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics list of actionable conditions for increased research.

Coriell is now accepting blood (for lymphoblasts) and skin biopsy (for fibroblasts) samples from individuals with LDS, VEDS, and Marfan syndrome as well as their family members and relatives from domestic and international locations around the world.

Donors will receive a sample collection kit, instructions, and all necessary materials for collecting samples and returning the kit free of charge. Sample donors are required to submit supporting clinical data (e.g., genetic test results, medical records, physician summary records) that describes the diagnosis.

To submit a sample to the NIGMS Repository, email NIGMS@coriell.org with the following information:

• The requested number of blood and skin biopsy collection kits for your family member(s)
• Full name and age (for children) of each family member who will donate samples
• The name, address, and phone number of the person or clinician to whom the collection kit(s) should be shipped.

Coriell does not conduct its own research but provides the materials for scientists around the world to perform research on genetic disorders. Also, Coriell does not provide donors with any results regarding their genetic disease nor information on their sample itself. For more information about Coriell and the sample donation process click here.

Who is eligible?

Individuals with Marfan syndrome confirmed by genetic testing (FBN1 gene mutation) who have:

• A diagnosis of “early-onset” or neonatal Marfan syndrome confirmed by a genetics or cardiology healthcare provider OR
• Cardiac valve disease or severe problems with heart valves before age 1.

What does the study involve?

• Review of your child’s medical record. Parents can sign a release form to provide access to medical records.
• If your child is planning to have surgery as a part of their planned medical care, parents have the option to allow a sample (excess tissue) to be collected for research at the time of surgery.
• No travel required.

Healthcare providers who see patients with neonatal Marfan syndrome

• We are also collecting clinical data retrospectively for patients who are deceased and/or are not actively being followed.

Please contact us at MAC@uth.tmc.edu or 713-500-6715 for more information about this study.

The vEDS Collaborative is dedicated to supporting the Vascular Ehlers-Danlos community in driving patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) to improve the management of vEDS and increase the quality of life for people impacted by vEDS.

As part of the vEDS Collaborative, the University of Washington is conducting a natural history study to define the contribution of known vEDS gene mutations to vEDS complications and outcomes. The researchers are seeking individuals 18 years of age or older with molecular confirmation of Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (i.e., diagnosis through genetic testing results or skin biopsy results) who are willing to share their medical records and radiologic imaging to support a natural history study where the course of vEDS can be followed.

The hope is that this work will lead to treatment guidelines based on the underlying gene mutation and the discovery and/or creation of novel medical practices, diagnostic tools, protective therapies and medicines for the future that will prevent and/or cure the complications of vEDS.

If you are interested in taking part in the study or would like more information, please contact the study team at (206) 353-3076 or vedscoll@ohsu.edu.

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston are participating in the Registry on Pregnancy and Cardiac Disease (ROPAC), a worldwide project of the European Society of Cardiology. They are currently enrolling any women who became pregnant any time after December 2017 and who have, or have had, one of the following heart or blood vessel problems:

• Aortic aneurysm
• Aortic dissection
• Heart valve replacement surgery
• Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, or another condition that can cause aortic aneurysms or dissections

If you meet these criteria, you may be eligible for the study.  Enrollment takes only minutes and your contribution will provide lasting benefits to other women who have potentially fatal conditions. If you would like additional information or if you would like to enroll, please call the ROPAC study team at 713-500-6704.

Doctors and scientists have only identified about 20% of the genes that cause aortic aneurysms and acute aortic dissections that are inherited in families. Studies are now looking at the role of genetics in patients who have had an aortic dissection but do not have a family history.

Dianna Milewicz, MD, PhD, Director of the John Ritter Research Program in Aortic and Vascular Diseases at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, is an internationally recognized expert in the genetics of aortic and vascular diseases. She is working with a team of clinicians, scientists, and genetic counselors in a number of ongoing research studies. These research studies aim to learn more about the genes that predispose people to thoracic aortic aneurysms and acute aortic dissections. Further identification of the genes that cause people to have these conditions will increase our ability to identify who is at risk and provide information on how to better diagnose and manage aortic and vascular diseases.

If you have been diagnosed with a thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection, or have a family member with this condition, and no one in your family has been diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, please consider taking part in this research study.

To learn more about the research and how to enroll, please contact the genetic counselor involved in the study at JRRP.research@uth.tmc.edu. The genetic counselor will explain the study to you, review your family history, and help you enroll in the research study for which you qualify.

The Genomic Services Research Program (GSRP) is a study of people with “secondary results” from genetic testing. Secondary results are unexpected. They are not related to the reason the person had the genetic test but are shared because they may be very important to the person’s health. Most secondary results have to do with high risks for health problems that can be treated or prevented. Many of these results are related to cancer risk and heart conditions. If you think you have received a secondary result, you may be eligible to join this study.

The purpose of this study is to learn about how people react to their secondary result and the actions they take after learning this information. If you or a member of your family have been given a secondary result, please consider partnering with us on this research. Together we hope to understand the health impacts of secondary results on you and your family and discover ways to better support people like you.

What is involved in for people who join?

If you join the study, the first phase is a survey and phone interview. We will ask you about any changes you made to your healthcare based on the result. We will also ask if there were recommendations you did not follow and why. Finally, we will ask questions about sharing the result with your family members. Following the interview you may be invited to the second phase of the study, which could include extra testing for you and/or your family members at the NIH or in your area. Participating in this study and having testing done at the NIH is free. If we ask you to come to the NIH, and you live in the United States, we will pay for your travel and a hotel.

Eligibility:
• Must speak English or Spanish
• Must have received a genetic testing result related to cancer risk or heart disease even though they were not having genetic testing to get information about this condition.

For more information, please visit: https://www.genome.gov/Current-NHGRI-Clinical-Studies/Genomic-Services-Research-Program