Gretchen MacCarrick, M.S., C.G.C. explains the major features of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome and emphasizes the importance of genetic testing.

Welcome to the Aorta Academy.
The one-stop resource for the latest aortic health information, breakthrough research, and community support.
Livie was born with Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome (SMDS), caused by a specific variant in ACTA2. Sadly she passed away […]
September 2021 For Aortic Dissection Awareness Week 2021, Dr. Dianna Milewicz and her team at the John Ritter Research Program […]
September 2022 The John Ritter Foundation and UTHealth co-hosted a patient symposium as part of Aortic Dissection Awareness Week. They […]
June 2022 Dr. Katherine Cutitta is a pediatric psychologist from Baylor College or Medicne and the Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. […]
Learn what is means to participate in research and hear answers to our most frequently asked questions! You can reach […]
July 2022 Genetic counselor Andrea Rideout breaks down everything you need to know about genetic testing for thoracic aortic aneurysms […]
September 2022 The John Ritter Research Program is independent of the John Ritter Foundation and is run by Dr. Dianna […]
June 2022 Exercise is the topic we hear questions about the most! Dr. Siddharth Prakash shared an update on what […]
May 2022 Dr. Milewicz shares an update on aortic disease research. Dr. Milewicz is well known to our community and […]