Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a rare arterial disorder in which the cells in the walls of the arteries are replaced with weaker, less flexible fibrous cells. FMD results in stiff and damage-prone arterial walls, causing narrowing, weakening, and tearing of arteries.
This article will explain the types of fibromuscular dysplasia, its causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Types of Fibromuscular Dysplasia
FMD is classified into two main categories based on the appearance of the arteries during diagnostic testing, including:
FMD most commonly involves the arteries in the following areas:
FMD usually affects middle-aged women, but can affect men and children as well.
Fibromuscular Dysplasia Symptoms
For example, if the arteries in the kidney are affected, symptoms may include:
In some cases, people with FMD have no physical symptoms upon examination.
Unfortunately, little is known about the causes of FMD. However, researchers report that some causes are believed to be genetic, and FMD may be related to certain hormones, as many people diagnosed with FMD are women of childbearing age.
The gold standard for diagnosing FMD is angiography, which is an examination of blood vessels using a catheter, X-ray, imaging to guide placement, and a contrast dye to locate abnormalities. However, other noninvasive imaging may be used, such as:
A diagnosis may occur when a healthcare provider hears a specific noise over one of the arteries due to disturbed or turbulent blood flow within the vessel. The noise is called a bruit.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for FMD. The goal of treatment is to manage FMD symptoms and complications. Treatments may include:
Sometimes, healthcare providers attempt to improve blood flow through a severely narrowed artery. It depends on the location of the artery and symptom severity. If symptoms are severe, apercutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA), or balloon angioplasty (using a balloon to stretch and open up a blocked artery), may be performed.
There is no cure for fibromuscular dysplasia, but there are effective treatments, such as medicines and angioplasty, to reduce the risk of stroke.Many people with FMD go on to have a normal life expectancy.
FMD-relatedaneurysmsmay burst and bleed into the brain, causing an intracranial stroke, permanent nerve damage, or death. Fortunately, aneurysms, when caught early, are often treatable.
Summary
Fibromuscular dysplasia is a rare arterial disorder in which the cells in the arterial walls become replaced with weaker, less flexible fibrous cells. This results in stiff, narrow, and damage-prone arterial walls. FMD is found in arteries throughout the body, although it most commonly involves the arteries that lead to the kidneys, neck, brain, legs, arms, and abdominal organs.
The causes of FMD are unknown. However, some cases may be genetic or related to hormones. Diagnosis is essential to ensure FMD symptom management and treatment.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.John Hopkins Medicine.Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD).van Twist DJL, de Leeuw PW, Spiering W, et al.Unifocal and multifocal fibromuscular dysplasia: Two different disease entities in a single patient?Hypertension. 2019;73(1):7-12. doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.12004National Organization of Rare Diseases.Fibromuscular dysplasia.University Hospitals.What is fibromuscular dysplasia?Fibromuscular dysplasia: contemporary concepts and future directions.Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. 2018;60(6):580-585. DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2018.03.001National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Fibromuscular Dysplasia.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.John Hopkins Medicine.Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD).van Twist DJL, de Leeuw PW, Spiering W, et al.Unifocal and multifocal fibromuscular dysplasia: Two different disease entities in a single patient?Hypertension. 2019;73(1):7-12. doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.12004National Organization of Rare Diseases.Fibromuscular dysplasia.University Hospitals.What is fibromuscular dysplasia?Fibromuscular dysplasia: contemporary concepts and future directions.Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. 2018;60(6):580-585. DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2018.03.001National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Fibromuscular Dysplasia.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
John Hopkins Medicine.Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD).van Twist DJL, de Leeuw PW, Spiering W, et al.Unifocal and multifocal fibromuscular dysplasia: Two different disease entities in a single patient?Hypertension. 2019;73(1):7-12. doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.12004National Organization of Rare Diseases.Fibromuscular dysplasia.University Hospitals.What is fibromuscular dysplasia?Fibromuscular dysplasia: contemporary concepts and future directions.Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. 2018;60(6):580-585. DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2018.03.001National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Fibromuscular Dysplasia.
John Hopkins Medicine.Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD).
van Twist DJL, de Leeuw PW, Spiering W, et al.Unifocal and multifocal fibromuscular dysplasia: Two different disease entities in a single patient?Hypertension. 2019;73(1):7-12. doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.12004
National Organization of Rare Diseases.Fibromuscular dysplasia.
University Hospitals.What is fibromuscular dysplasia?
Fibromuscular dysplasia: contemporary concepts and future directions.Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. 2018;60(6):580-585. DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2018.03.001
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Fibromuscular Dysplasia.
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