Engineering Creative Solutions for Living With Marfan Syndrome
In Engineering Creative Solutions for Living With Marfan Syndrome, meet Cal, a person with Marfan Syndrome, who creatively solves a medical complication by applying engineering knowledge to his condition. Cal’s condition causes his heart and aorta to stretch due to the structural abnormalities that characterize Marfan Syndrome. Instead of undergoing traditional surgery, Cal takes matters into his own hands, using his engineering background to find a more innovative solution. This video demonstrates the intersection of medicine and engineering, as well as how individuals can advocate for themselves and influence their treatment plans. This video is excerpted from BBC’s The World’s Most Extraordinary People, a documentary series revealing how rare medical conditions inspire groundbreaking scientific discoveries.
Lesson Express
Q: How does Marfan syndrome affect Cal's body?
A: Marfan syndrome causes Cal to be taller than his peers, and his heart and aorta are stretching due to the structural changes associated with the condition.
Q: What was the doctor's original solution to the problem with Cal’s aorta and heart valve?
A: The doctor suggested replacing both the aorta and heart valve with mechanical devices through open-heart surgery.
Q: How did Cal view his medical issue from the perspective of an engineer?
A: Cal compared his aorta to a faulty pipe, an issue he had encountered in his engineering work, and devised a solution to reinforce the aorta with a sleeve to prevent further expansion.