ISCHEMIC STROKE / CLASSIFICATION AND ETIOPATHOGENESIS / NONINFLAMMATORY VASCULOPATHIES

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD)

David Goldemund M.D.
Updated on 26/01/2024, published on 14/03/2022

  • mostly sporadic, rarely hereditary, noninflammatory disease of unknown etiology affecting medium-sized arteries
  • localization (usually sparing the origin of the vessel):
    • an extracranial portion of the ICA/vertebral arteries
    • renal arteries (most common)
    • splanchnic arteries (rare)
    • subclavian, axillary, and iliac arteries (rare)
  • usually occurs in young to middle-aged women
    • F: M ratio of 3:1
    • onset typically between 30 and 50 years of age
  • involved arteries show segmental stenoses and enlargements, with approximately one-third of patients having multiple lesions
  • FMD can lead to serious complications (TIA/stroke, spontaneous dissection, aneurysm formation, myocardial infarction)

Pathology

  • unknown etiology
    • identification of YY1AP1 mutations (typical for Grange syndrome) as a cause of FMD indicates that this condition may result from various genetic disorders (Guo, 2017)
  • fibrous or fibromuscular thickening of the arterial wall (intima, media, and adventitia) leading to segmental stenoses and microaneurysms
    • intima is involved in < 5% of cases (⇒ intimal fibroplasia, also called carotid web)
    • media involvement is predominant (90-95% of cases)
    • adventitia (rare, less than 1% of cases)
  • histology
    • accumulations of dysplastic muscle cells + disruption of the internal elastic membrane
    • no inflammatory cells are present
  • carotid lesions are typically localized in the middle and distal segments of the extracranial internal carotid artery, often extending to the skull base
  • FMD predisposes to the development of aneurysms (extra- and intracranial) and arterial dissections
    • ⇒ it is advisable to examine the renal arteries in all patients presenting with arterial dissection
Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD)

Clinical presentation and diagnostic evaluation

  • carotid artery lesions are often asymptomatic but can cause TIA/stroke due to:
  • renal artery involvement leads to renovascular hypertension (by activating RAAS) or renal impairment
  • coronary artery involvement can lead to angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and cardiac death
  • FMD is diagnosed by a typical appearance on vascular imaging (CTA, MRA, DSA, ultrasound)
    • affected arteries usually exhibit a rosary-like appearance caused by concentric luminal narrowing alternating with areas of mural dilatation (a string of beads/pearls appearance)   Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) - carotid artery in ultrasound imaging Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) - renal arteries on CTA
      • this finding is present in up to 90% of patients with FMD
    • less commonly, patients may present with concentric long-segment tubular stenosis
  • FMD may manifest as carotid dissection (best seen on fat-saturated T1 imaging)  ICA dissection with intramural hematoma (fat-saturated T1)
  • less typical features include intracranial aneurysms that can lead to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)
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Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) - renal and carotid artery on DSA and CTA
Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) on CTA and US (B-flow mode)
Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) - carotid artery on CTA

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) - carotid artery on CTA

Differential diagnosis

  • atherosclerosis – usually present at the origin or proximal segment of the ICA
  • vasculitis
    • ↑ ESR
    • extensive or diffuse thickening of the wall (Takayasu)  Takayasu arteritis on ultrasound
  • segmental arterial mediolysis (Chao, 2009)
    • noninflammatory arteriopathy characterized by dissecting aneurysms resulting from lysis of the outer media of the arterial wall
  • vasospasms

Management

Acute stroke therapy

Stroke prevention

  • asymptomatic carotid lesions – a conservative approach is preferred; antiplatelet therapy is not recommended
  • stroke patients with FMD:
    • the strict control of blood pressure and other vascular risk factors
    • antiplatelet therapy  (AHA/ASA 2021 I/C-LD)
      • ASA is most commonly used (based on expert opinion, no trials available)
      • statins are not routinely used unless there is another indication
    • for stroke caused by carotid dissection without thrombosis, antiplatelet therapy is usually used (AHA/ASA 2021 2a/C-EO)
    • if medical treatment fails or significant carotid artery stenosis develops, consider angioplasty (AHA/ASA 2021 2b/C-LD)   (Tekieli, 2015)
      • angioplasty for FMD has high long-term patency rates; stenting is not always required
      • robust data on the clinical benefit of CAS over conservative therapy are lacking

Renovascular hypertension

  • renal artery angioplasty with stenting is indicated in proven renovascular hypertension if significant stenosis of the renal artery affects blood flow to the kidney
    • the RAA system provides adequate glomerular pressure by vasoconstriction; this compensatory mechanism can lead to hypertension
    • ACE inhibitors, commonly used to manage hypertension, can cause renal hypoperfusion
  • the decision to perform renal angioplasty should be made based on the individual patient’s condition, the severity of renal artery stenosis, and other factors

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Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD)
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