Skip to main content

Vascular connective tissue disease

In some families the artery wall itself is built differently. Recognising this changes how, and how early, everyone in the family is looked after.

Conditions we see

  • Marfan syndrome
  • Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
  • Loeys-Dietz syndrome
  • Familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection
  • Bicuspid aortic valve with associated aortopathy

How care differs

Aneurysms are repaired at smaller diameters, blood pressure is controlled more tightly, contact sport and heavy lifting are usually avoided, and imaging is repeated at set intervals for life.

First-degree relatives should be screened, since a diagnosis in one family member frequently uncovers silent disease in another.

Research

Prof Sultan leads an international consortium combining genetics, proteomics, biomarkers, tissue biomechanics and advanced imaging to build better diagnostic tools for cardiovascular connective tissue disorders, particularly aortic and cervical dissection.

Associations & Hospitals

Professional associations and hospitals Professor Sultan works with

Logos of the Western Vascular Institute, Galway Clinic, European Society for Vascular Surgery, International Society of Endovascular Specialists, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Society, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Saolta University Health Care Group, Society for Vascular Surgery, Galway University Hospitals, Vascular Society, and NUI Galway