Which hereditary condition is a known risk factor for aortic dissection?

Which hereditary condition is a known risk factor for aortic dissection?

• A. Marfan syndrome
• B. Hyperlipidemia
• C. Diabetes mellitus
• D. Asthma

Answer: (A)

Dissections happen when the inner lining of the aorta tears and blood tracks between layers of the vessel wall. Conditions that weaken the aorta’s wall, especially the media, raise this risk. Marfan syndrome is a hereditary connective tissue disorder caused by FBN1 mutations that impair fibrillin-1, weakening elastic fibers in the aortic media. This makes the aorta more prone to cystic medial degeneration and tearing, particularly in the ascending aorta, so it is a well-established hereditary risk for dissection. The other options don’t carry the same hereditary link to aortic wall weakness. Hyperlipidemia mainly contributes to atherosclerotic disease rather than intrinsic wall fragility. Diabetes mellitus and asthma are not known hereditary risk factors that predispose to dissection in the same way, and they don’t directly weaken the aortic media.

Dissections happen when the inner lining of the aorta tears and blood tracks between layers of the vessel wall. Conditions that weaken the aorta’s wall, especially the media, raise this risk. Marfan syndrome is a hereditary connective tissue disorder caused by FBN1 mutations that impair fibrillin-1, weakening elastic fibers in the aortic media. This makes the aorta more prone to cystic medial degeneration and tearing, particularly in the ascending aorta, so it is a well-established hereditary risk for dissection.

The other options don’t carry the same hereditary link to aortic wall weakness. Hyperlipidemia mainly contributes to atherosclerotic disease rather than intrinsic wall fragility. Diabetes mellitus and asthma are not known hereditary risk factors that predispose to dissection in the same way, and they don’t directly weaken the aortic media.