Though there is no cure for Marfan syndrome, treatment with beta blockers and preventive surgery to replace the section of the aorta adjacent to the heart has increased lifespan to near normal. Though there is no cure for Marfan syndrome, treatment with beta blockers and preventive surgery to replace the section of the aorta adjacent to the heart has increased lifespan to near normal. Data reported in 1972 indicated that lifespan in patients with the Marfan syndrome is markedly shortened, and that most deaths are cardiovascular. ... Forty-seven of 417 patients died. Mean age at death (41 +/- 18 years) was significantly increased compared with age in 1972 (32 +/- 16 years, p = 0.0023).