The MAC will provide the infrastructure to assemble large cohorts of patients with mutations in known H-TAD genes, define the phenotype associated with these genes, and determine genetic and environmental modifiers and other biomarkers of H-TAD. Recruitment of large numbers of patients world-wide will improve the precision of data used to predict disease risks. Retrospective and prospective study designs will be used to fully characterize the different stages of H-TAD (i.e. susceptibility, presymptomatic, and symptomatic) and other complications associated with the H-TAD genes, and examine clinical and environmental factors that define risk of aortic dissections. The data from MAC will provide the critical clinical information for precise management of thoracic aortic disease and other complications caused by mutations of these genes and improve the medical management and outcome of patients with genetically triggered, lethal vascular diseases.
