CCCardiol CroatCardiologia CroaticaCardiol. Croat.1848-543X1848-5448Croatian Cardiac SocietyCC 2021 16_5-6_18810.15836/ccar2021.188Extended AbstractAortic dilatation and miscarriages as a main presentation of FLNA mutation in a Croatian family: a case reportTomac StojmenovićMarija1*https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4721-3236Rešković LukšićVlatka2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6910-9720Ivanac VranešićIrena2RadoševićVelena2ŽigmanTamara2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0390-8466Hrabak PaarMaja2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3437-6407Šeparović HanževačkiJadranka2Psychiatric Hospital Rab, Rab, CroatiaUniversity of Zagreb School of Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, CroatiaADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Marija Tomac Stojmenović, Psihijatrijska bolnica Rab, Kampor 224, HR-51280 Rab, Croatia. / Phone: +385-95-910-2378 / E-mail: marija.tomac.mts@gmail.com042021165-618818828032021020420212021Croatian Cardiac SocietyKEYWORDS: FLNA mutationmiscarriageaortic dilatationaortic dissection
Introduction: The FLNA gene provides instructions for producing protein filamin A. It is found on the X chromosome and has X linked inheritance. The dysfunction of this gene is associated with congenital malformation of the cerebral cortex, cardiac abnormalities, thoracic aneurism and joint hypermobility. (1-4)
Case report: We present a family with heterozygous pathogenic variant of FLNA. Disease was discovered during workup of older daughter’s miscarriages. She had a double miscarriage in the first trimester. She knew for mild mitral and aortic regurgitation from youth. From family history: mother had two miscarriages and two successful deliveries, pulmonary hypertension, coronary artery disease and percutaneous coronary intervention at the age of 56, grandmother from mother side had one successful delivery and three miscarriages, died at the age of 64 from diabetic coma. Sister has moderate aortic regurgitation, dilatation of ascending aorta (42mm), one miscarriage. Father has dilatation of ascending aorta. In 2020. echocardiography revealed dilatation of the ascending aorta (43mm) with mild central aortic regurgitation, and a trace of mitral regurgitation. The cardiologist recommended CT aortography and genetic testing. On CT aortography aorta was measured at a maximum of 46mm (Figure 1). Genetic testing identified one pathogenic variant in FLNA. After this discovery, genetic testing was performed on all family members (Figure 2), and mutation was identified in the mother and sister. During this workup, the younger sister found out that she was pregnant. Soon, the mother suddenly died at the age of 60. Autopsy revealed a dissection of the thoracic aorta. With this finding, the younger sister went from category three to category four in classification of maternal cardiovascular risk score and was advised to abort. At the time of writing this paper she is 10 weeks pregnant and, knowing all the risks, does not want an abortion.
CT scan, dilatation of the ascending aorta.
Genetic tree.
Conclusion: In young women with dilatation of ascending aorta, connective tissue disease should be considered. Today we have possibility for family screening, so we can discover pathogenic mutation in families. In FLNA mutation, safe size of ascending aorta dilatation is smaller than in healthy population, which should be considered during pregnancy planning. In case of pregnancy multidisciplinary approach is mandatory.
LITERATUREChinJMBartholomewML. Aortic aneurysm and dissection in pregnancy: A case report. . 2020 October 2;28:e00261. 10.1016/j.crwh.2020.e0026133083238ReinsteinEFrentzSMorganTGarcía-MiñaúrSLeventerRJMcGillivrayGVascular and connective tissue anomalies associated with X-linked periventricular heterotopia due to mutations in Filamin A. . 2013 May;21(5):494–502. 10.1038/ejhg.2012.20923032111ClarkeCMFokVTGustafsonJASmythMDTimmsAEFrazarCDSingle suture craniosynostosis: Identification of rare variants in genes associated with syndromic forms. . 2018 February;176(2):290–300. 10.1002/ajmg.a.3854029168297de WitMCde CooIFLequinMHHalleyDJRoos-HesselinkJWManciniGM. Combined cardiological and neurological abnormalities due to filamin A gene mutation. . 2011 January;100(1):45–50. 10.1007/s00392-010-0206-y20730588