Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD)

FMD is an uncommon vascular disease of unknown cause that affects medium-sized arteries and can lead to narrowing and beading of the arteries as well as artery dissections or aneurysms. More than 90% of patients with FMD are women. The location of artery involvement, type of FMD (multifocal or focal), and severity of symptoms are highly variable among patients. Common signs and symptoms of FMD are high blood pressure, headaches (especially migraines), and pulsatile tinnitus. Recently, FMD has been recognized among some patients who suffer a heart attack due to coronary artery dissection. Patients with FMD should have an individualized management plan that incorporates periodic clinical assessment and follow-up imaging, patient education, medical therapy, and lifestyle modification. Vascular procedures may be needed for some patients to treat high blood pressure or other severe symptoms, or for treatment of aneurysms. Research and resources are constantly evolving to provide better understanding of this disease and thus to improve the quality of care for affected patients.