Challenges of Managing Non-rheumatic Aortic Valve Disorder in a Genetically Susceptible Woman

Stephanie Vuong; Alexzandra Hollingworth

doi:10.7759/cureus.37998

Challenges of Managing Non-rheumatic Aortic Valve Disorder in a Genetically Susceptible Woman

Cureus. 2023 Apr 22;15(4):e37998. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37998. eCollection 2023 Apr.

Authors

Stephanie Vuong¹, Alexzandra Hollingworth²

Affiliations

¹ MSIII, Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, USA.
² Surgery, Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, Glendale, USA.

Abstract

In this case report, we investigated the potential link between SMAD3/transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) pathway dysregulation and aortic valvular disease. We report a middle-aged female, heterozygous for the R18W novel variant of the SMAD3 gene, with a history of an aortic valve disorder and three aortic valve replacements in a span of 15 years. The patient neither has a history of congenital connective tissue disorders nor any known congenital valvular defects. The patient had genetic testing for thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD)/Marfan syndrome/related disorders. She was found to be heterozygous for the p.Arg18Trp (R18W) protein variant of the SMAD3 gene (chromosome position 15:67430416), coding DNA c.52 C>T. Members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family and their downstream signaling proteins, including SMAD, are important for establishing proper embryogenic development and maintaining adult tissue homeostasis. Investigating the disturbances within the TGF-β signaling pathways may provide insightful knowledge of how genetic factors can cause structural and functional valvular defects.

Keywords: aortic diseases; aortic valve insufficiency; cardio vascular disease; cardiovascular genetics; tgf-β1.

Publication types

Case Reports