Mutations in ACTA2 are the most common genetic cause of thoracic aortic aneurysm, and are also the cause of other disorders, including Moyamoya disease, coronary artery disease and stroke as well as Multisystemic Smooth Muscle Dysfunction Syndrome.
While direct cerebrovascular bypass is technically feasible, patients with ACTA2 arteriopathy may be at increased risk for perioperative stroke compared with patients with moyamoya disease.
Mutations in the gene encoding smooth muscle cell alpha actin (ACTA2) have recently been shown to cause familial thoracic aortic aneurysms leading to type A dissections (TAAD) and predispose to premature stroke and coronary artery disease.