Aortic Disorders, Comprehensive Genetic Testing

The Comprehensive Genetic Test for Aortic Disorders (Aorta Panel) utilizes next-generation sequencing (NGS) to examine multiple genes associated with aortic aneurysms and inherited aortic syndromes. It is a targeted gene panel specifically designed to support accurate diagnosis, risk assessment, and prevention.

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The Aorta Panel is a comprehensive genetic screening test that analyzes 53 genes known to be associated with aortic diseases, including both coding and non-coding variants. This advanced panel is designed to detect pathogenic mutations that may predispose individuals to a spectrum of thoracic aortic disorders. It is particularly relevant for individuals presenting with isolated or syndromic aortic pathology, especially those exhibiting ascending aortic dilatation, aneurysms, or dissections. By examining key genes involved in the structural integrity and function of the aortic wall, the test contributes to the early detection of hereditary aortic conditions. It provides insight into the underlying molecular etiology of these potentially life-threatening disorders.

Aortic diseases primarily manifest as abnormal enlargement or weakening of the aortic wall. Aortic dilatation is typically diagnosed when the diameter of the aorta exceeds 110% of the expected reference values, which are established based on age, sex, and body surface area. If the diameter increases further to exceed 150% of the reference range, the condition is classified as an aortic aneurysm. This pathological expansion is often attributed to a progressive loss of structural proteins such as elastin and a reduction in smooth muscle cells within the aortic media, leading to a phenomenon known as cystic medial degeneration. While this degenerative process may occur gradually as part of the aging process, it advances at a faster rate in individuals with a genetic predisposition to aortic disease.

A significant portion of aortic aneurysms, particularly those involving the ascending thoracic aorta, are non-syndromic and appear sporadically. However, up to 20% of cases are syndromic in nature, associated with inherited connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, Shprintzen-Goldberg syndrome, and various types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. These syndromes are characterized by systemic involvement of connective tissue, often affecting the cardiovascular, skeletal, and ocular systems, and carry a heightened risk of severe aortic complications.

Genetic mutations that affect the aortic wall compromise its mechanical stability and resilience, thereby increasing susceptibility to rupture or dissection. Aortic dissection, in particular, poses an acute risk of sudden cardiac death if not identified and managed promptly. Therefore, the Aorta Panel serves as a critical tool in risk stratification and monitoring of individuals at genetic risk for aortic disease. By identifying carriers of pathogenic variants, it facilitates appropriate follow-up and clinical decision-making, thereby reducing the likelihood of catastrophic cardiovascular events.

The test is performed in a clinical laboratory accredited to ISO 15189 and certified by CLIA and CAP, ensuring the validity, accuracy and international recognition of the results.

Genes and Associated Phenotypes (Aorta Panel)

Test Strengths

The test is characterized by the following strengths:

• Analysis is performed in a CAP-accredited laboratory with the participation of CLIA-certified personnel.
• Advanced sequencing technologies, high-performance target enrichment methods, and precise bioinformatics pipelines ensure superior analytical performance.
• Gene panels are carefully designed to be clinically effective and scientifically validated.
• In some panels, the entire mitochondrial genome is included (see Panel Content section).
• Approximately 2,000 non-coding disease-causing variants are covered in the clinical-grade NGS assay (see Non-coding disease-causing variants covered by this panel in the Panel Content section).
• A rigorous variant classification system is applied.
• A systematic interpretation workflow, supported by proprietary software, enables accurate and traceable processing of NGS data.
• Comprehensive and clinically meaningful reports are provided.

Test Limitations

Specific technical and biological limitations apply:

• The following exons are excluded due to insufficient coverage: ADAMTS2 (NM_021599:11) and B3GAT3 (NM_001288722:5).
• Genes with suboptimal coverage are marked with a number sign (#), while those with partial or complete segmental duplications overlapping UCSC pseudogene regions are marked with an asterisk (*).
• A gene is considered to have suboptimal coverage when more than 90% of its target nucleotides are not covered at a depth of greater than 20x with mapping quality score (MQ > 20) reads. In such cases, detection of variants may be limited.

This test does not detect:

• Complex inversions
• Gene conversions
• Balanced translocations
• Repeat expansion disorders, unless otherwise specified
• Non-coding variants beyond ±20 base pairs from the exon–intron boundary, unless otherwise indicated
• The complete mitochondrial genome in all panels (see Panel Content section

This test may not reliably detect:

• Low-level mosaicism in nuclear genes (variants with a minor allele fraction of ~14.6% are detected with 90% probability)
• Stretches of mononucleotide repeats
• Low-level heteroplasmy in mtDNA (>90% detected at 5% level)
• Insertions or deletions larger than 50 bp
• Single-exon deletions or duplications
• Variants within pseudogene regions or duplicated genomic segments
• Disease-causing mtDNA variants not present in blood; in such cases, post-mitotic tissue (e.g., skeletal muscle) may be required to establish a molecular diagnosis

For further details, please refer to the Test Performance section.

Bioinformatics

The target region for each gene encompasses the coding exons as well as ±20 base pairs from the exon–intron boundaries. In addition, the panel may include non-coding and regulatory variants, as listed in the “Non-coding variants covered by the panel” section. Specific regions of certain gene(s) may be excluded from analysis if noted in the “Test limitations” section. When the test includes the mitochondrial genome, the target region also comprises the complete set of mitochondrial genes.

Sequencing data is processed through a proprietary analysis and annotation pipeline that integrates state-of-the-art algorithms and industry-standard software solutions. Multiple quality control steps are embedded throughout the workflow to ensure the accuracy, validity, and consistency of the results. The pipeline is optimized to maximize sensitivity without compromising specificity.

For variant interpretation, the system incorporates data from multiple reference populations and mutation databases, including (but not limited to) the 1000 Genomes Project, gnomAD, ClinVar, and HGMD. In silico tools such as SIFT, PolyPhen, and MutationTaster are also applied to support the classification of missense variants.

All findings are summarized in a clear and detailed clinical report. This report includes sequencing quality metrics, gene-level coverage information, and highlights any regions where coverage is limited (<20x for nuclear genes and <1000x for mtDNA, when applicable). This ensures transparency and supports accurate clinical decision-making.

Test Performace

The genes included in this panel have been carefully selected based on evidence from scientific literature, mutation databases, and accumulated clinical expertise.

All panels are derived from a high-quality, clinical-grade NGS assay. Details regarding the detection of different types of genetic alterations are provided in the sequencing and detection performance table (see Table).

The assay has been validated for several sample types, including EDTA blood, isolated DNA (excluding DNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue), saliva, and dried blood spots (filter cards). These sample types were chosen to maximize the probability of obtaining high-quality DNA. The diagnostic yield may vary depending on the assay performed, the referring healthcare professional, the hospital, and the country in which the test is conducted. The Plus Analysis further enhances the chance of reaching a genetic diagnosis, as large deletions and duplications cannot be detected by sequencing alone. This approach integrates both sequencing and deletion/duplication (copy number variant, CNV) analysis.

The performance metrics shown below are based on initial validation studies at an accredited clinical laboratory, with equivalent results confirmed across additional laboratory sites.

Performance of a high-quality, clinical-grade NGS sequencing assay for panels

Coverage metrics

Performance of Mitochondrial Sequencing Assay

Mitochondrial assay coverage metrics

Comprehensive clinical reports are delivered, designed to provide healthcare professionals with meaningful and actionable insights. Clinical interpretation requires a solid understanding of both clinical genetics and genetic principles. Reports are prepared by teams of molecular geneticists, medical experts, and other highly experienced professionals, who evaluate identified variants in the context of the patient’s phenotypic information provided in the requisition form.

The goal is to ensure that reports are clinically valuable and understandable to all healthcare providers, regardless of their level of training in genetics and genetics-related fields. Variant classification forms the foundation of clinical interpretation and guides patient management decisions. Classifications follow the ACMG 2015 guidelines. Sequence and copy number variants classified as pathogenic, likely pathogenic, or of uncertain significance (VUS) are confirmed using bidirectional Sanger sequencing or orthogonal methods such as qPCR/ddPCR whenever NGS quality metrics do not meet strict thresholds for a true positive call.

Each report includes tables for sequence and copy number variants, presenting essential information such as genomic coordinates, HGVS nomenclature, zygosity, allele frequencies, in silico predictions, phenotypic correlations, and variant classification. In addition, detailed descriptions are provided for the variant, the gene, and the related phenotypes—covering the gene’s role in human disease, mutation spectrum, variation in population cohorts, and links to associated conditions. References, abstracts, and variant databases are also cited, allowing healthcare providers to evaluate reported findings further if desired.

Reports are structured into two sections: primary findings and additional findings.

The primary findings consist of variants known to cause disease or rare variants that may explain the patient’s phenotype. The conclusion summarizes all available evidence and presents the rationale for classification.

Additional findings include variants that are not currently sufficient to explain the patient’s phenotype, based on existing knowledge. Examples include heterozygous variants in autosomal recessive genes, VUS in autosomal dominant genes (when a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant already explains the phenotype), or risk alleles in genes included in the panel.

The identification of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in dominant disorders, or biallelic variants in recessive disorders, is considered molecular confirmation of the clinical diagnosis. In such cases, family testing may assist in risk assessment. Variants of uncertain significance are not recommended for patient management or family risk stratification. Genetic counseling is strongly advised.

Interpretation teams routinely analyze millions of variants across thousands of cases of rare diseases. With each case, internal knowledge of variant–phenotype relationships is enriched, enabling continuous refinement of classifications. As new evidence becomes available, previously reported variants may be reclassified. If a variant initially reported as a primary or secondary finding is later reclassified—for example, from VUS to pathogenic/likely pathogenic, or from pathogenic/likely pathogenic to VUS, likely benign, or benign—an updated statement is issued to the original ordering healthcare provider at no additional cost.