Diagnosis

Establish or confirm diagnosis

Predictive risk information for patient and/or family members

Providing a genetic evaluation for patients with a personal or family history suggestive of hereditary aortic disease. Establishing a diagnosis for a variety of hereditary conditions involving aortic disease or overlapping clinical presentations including Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, multiple forms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, heritable thoracic aortic disease/aortopathy, and others.

Is research allowed on the sample after clinical testing is complete? Help
Research testing is only performed under IRB approved protocol with an opt-out policy in place.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and/or Sanger sequencing is performed to test for the presence of variants in coding regions and intron/exon boundaries of the genes analyzed, as well as some other regions that have known disease-causing variants. The human genome reference GRCh37/hg19 build was used for sequence read alignment. At least … Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and/or Sanger sequencing is performed to test for the presence of variants in coding regions and intron/exon boundaries of the genes analyzed, as well as some other regions that have known disease-causing variants. The human genome reference GRCh37/hg19 build was used for sequence read alignment. At least 99% of the bases are covered at a read depth over 30X. Sensitivity is estimated at above 99% for single nucleotide variants, above 94% for deletions-insertions (delins) less than 40 base pairs (bp), above 95% for deletions up to 75 bp and insertions up to 47 bp. NGS and/or a polymerase chain reaction-based quantitative method is performed to test for the presence of deletions and duplications in the genes analyzed. There may be regions of genes that cannot be effectively evaluated by sequencing or deletion and duplication analysis as a result of technical limitations of the assay, including regions of homology, high guanine-cytosine (GC) content, and repetitive sequences.(Unpublished Mayo method)Confirmation of select reportable variants may be performed by alternate methodologies based on internal laboratory criteria. View more

Other

Tests performed
Entire test performed in-house

At least 99% of the bases are covered at a read depth >30X. Sensitivity is estimated at >99% for single nucleotide variants, >94% for indels up to 39 base pairs, >95% for deletions up to 75 base pairs and insertions up to 47 base pairs.

Clinical Correlations: Test results should be interpreted in the context of clinical findings, family history, and other laboratory data. Misinterpretation of results may occur if the information provided is inaccurate or incomplete. If testing was performed because of a clinically significant family history, it is often useful to first test … Clinical Correlations: Test results should be interpreted in the context of clinical findings, family history, and other laboratory data. Misinterpretation of results may occur if the information provided is inaccurate or incomplete. If testing was performed because of a clinically significant family history, it is often useful to first test an affected family member. Detection of a reportable variant in an affected family member would allow for more informative testing of at-risk individuals. To discuss the availability of additional testing options or for assistance in the interpretation of these results, contact the Mayo Clinic Laboratories genetic counselors at 800-533-1710 Technical Limitations: Next-generation sequencing may not detect all types of genomic variants. In rare cases, false-negative or false-positive results may occur. The depth of coverage may be variable for some target regions; assay performance below the minimum acceptable criteria or for failed regions will be noted. Given these limitations, negative results do not rule out the diagnosis of a genetic disorder. If a specific clinical disorder is suspected, evaluation by alternative methods can be considered. There may be regions of genes that cannot be effectively evaluated by sequencing or deletion and duplication analysis as a result of technical limitations of the assay, including regions of homology, high guanine-cytosine (GC) content, and repetitive sequences. Confirmation of select reportable variants will be performed by alternate methodologies based on internal laboratory criteria. This test is validated to detect 95% of deletions up to 75 base pairs (bp) and insertions up to 47 bp. Deletions-insertions (delins) of 40 or more bp, including mobile element insertions, may be less reliably detected than smaller delins. Deletion/Duplication Analysis: This analysis targets single and multi-exon deletions/duplications; however, in some instances, single exon resolution cannot be achieved due to isolated reduction in sequence coverage or inherent genomic complexity. Balanced structural rearrangements (such as translocations and inversions) may not be detected. This test is not designed to detect low levels of mosaicism or to differentiate between somatic and germline variants. If there is a possibility that any detected variant is somatic, additional testing may be necessary to clarify the significance of results. Genes may be added or removed based on updated clinical relevance.. For detailed information regarding gene specific performance and technical limitations, see Method Description or contact a laboratory genetic counselor. If the patient has had an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant or a recent blood transfusion, results may be inaccurate due to the presence of donor DNA. Call Mayo Clinic Laboratories for instructions for testing patients who have received a bone marrow transplant. Reclassification of Variants: At this time, it is not standard practice for the laboratory to systematically review previously classified variants on a regular basis. The laboratory encourages healthcare providers to contact the laboratory at any time to learn how the classification of a particular variant may have changed over time. Variant Evaluation: Evaluation and categorization of variants are performed using published American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology recommendations as a guideline.(3) Other gene-specific guidelines may also be considered. Variants are classified based on known, predicted, or possible pathogenicity and reported with interpretive comments detailing their potential or known significance. Variants classified as benign or likely benign are not reported. Multiple in silico evaluation tools may be used to assist in the interpretation of these results. The accuracy of predictions made by in silico evaluation tools is highly dependent upon the data available for a given gene, and periodic updates to these tools may cause predictions to change over time. Results from in silico evaluation tools should be interpreted with caution and professional clinical judgment. Rarely, incidental or secondary findings may implicate another predisposition or presence of active disease. Incidental findings may include but are not limited to, results related to the sex chromosomes. These findings will be carefully reviewed to determine whether they will be reported. View more

Is proficiency testing performed for this test? Help
Yes

Method used for proficiency testing: Help
Platform PT performed

Description of internal test validation method: Help
This test was laboratory developed, and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements

Software used to interpret novel variations Help
Variants may be analyzed using any combination of the following: Alamut, REVEL, Polyphen-2, SIFT, AGVGD, MutationTaster, SpliceSiteFinder-like, MaxEntScan, NNSPLICE, GeneSplicer, gene-specific online databases, ISCA, UCSC Genome Browser

Laboratory's policy on reporting novel variations Help
All novel alterations and copy number variants are evaluated for potential pathogenicity and included in the written report, accordingly.