Fibromuscular dysplasia of the renal arteries: what do we know in 2024?

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a rare nonatherosclerotic, noninflammatory vascular disease affecting mostly renal and carotid arteries and is the second most frequent cause of renal artery stenosis. The symptomatology is dominated by arterial hypertension due to the frequent involvement of the renal arteries and depends on the location of the lesions. Most of the cases are middle-aged women of Caucasian origin. There are two subtypes based on angiographic aspect: multifocal FMD (80% of the cases) and focal FMD (rarer with a more balanced sex ratio). Angioplasty of the renal arteries is generally disappointing with less than 50% cure of hypertension. It appears necessary to improve our knowledge of the FMD and to optimize the selection of eligible patients for revascularization with transdisciplinary collegial therapeutic decision.

Renal Autotransplantation for Uncontrolled Hypertension in Nonatherosclerotic Renal Artery Stenosis-2 Case Reports and a Brief Review of the Literature

Fibromuscular dysplasia is the most common cause of renovascular hypertension in young adults under 40 years old. It is potentially amenable to renal artery angioplasty, which frequently normalizes blood pressure. However, limited options exist if angioplasty is not technically possible, or restenosis occurs. Here, we describe 2 patients who presented with hypertension secondary to renal artery stenosis. In the first case, a young adult with hypertension secondary to renal artery stenosis (fibromuscular dysplasia), developed restenosis 11 weeks after an initially successful renal artery angioplasty. In the second case, a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 was diagnosed with hypertension secondary to renal artery stenosis. Angioplasty was not possible due to multiple branch occlusions. Both individuals went on to have successful renal autotransplantations, which ultimately cured their hypertension. In this article, we review the background, indications, and blood pressure outcomes in relation to renal autotransplantation in nonatherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

A review of histopathologic and radiologic features of non-atherosclerotic pathologies of the extracranial carotid arteries

Diseases of the carotid arteries can be classified into different categories based on their origin. Atherosclerotic carotid disease remains the most encountered arterial wall pathology. However, other less-common non-atherosclerotic diseases can have detrimental clinical consequences if not appropriately recognized. The underlying histological features of each disease process may result in imaging findings that possess features that are obvious of the disease. However, some carotid disease processes may have histological characteristics that manifest as non-specific radiologic findings. The purpose of this manuscript is to review various non-atherosclerotic causes of carotid artery disease as well as their histologic-radiologic characteristics to aid in the appropriate recognition of these less-commonly encountered pathologies.

Fibromuscular dysplasia of subclavian artery - a case report and mini-review

A case of a 40-year-old male patient with a right subclavian artery aneurysm of fibromuscular dysplasia origin is reported. The patient presented with thoracic outlet-like symptoms and underwent aneurysm resection. Microscopic examination revealed intimal and medial fibroplasia. Additional cases of fibromuscular dysplasia at this rare location are reviewed, indicating a male and right-sided predominance. The most frequent clinicopathological manifestation was an aneurysm, with the histopathological pattern characterized by medial fibroplasia. Treatment modalities included the use of either graft prosthesis or end-to-end anastomosis.

A case report of Capnocytophaga canimorsus meningitis with failure of ceftriaxone therapy

Background

Capnocytophaga canimorsus is a gram-negative zoonotic organism that has the potential to cause devastating human infection. Historically, treatment with beta-lactams including penicillin and ceftriaxone has been effective.

Methods

We describe a complicated case of C. canimorsus meningitis in a 70-year-old female following a superficial puncture wound from her dog's teeth.

Results

The case described here was complicated by seizures following treatment with ceftriaxone therapy. This case is also the first reported case of C. canimorsus meningitis associated with moyamoya disease and fibromuscular dysplasia.

Conclusions

Physicians should be aware of the possibility of ceftriaxone-resistant C. canimorsus and have a low threshold to broaden antimicrobial coverage in the absence of clinical improvement. We also raise the possibility of an association between vasculopathies and unusual infections like C. canimorsus.

A Rare Case of Focal Renal Fibromuscular Dysplasia Treated With Angioplasty: A Case Report

BACKGROUND

Fibromuscular dysplasia is an idiopathic, segmental, nonatherosclerotic, noninflammatory vascular disease that can lead to arterial stenosis, tortuosity, occlusion, aneurysms, and dissection. Fibromuscular dysplasia is a rare cause of hypertension that can easily be missed. To date, there has been no definitive treatment for fibromuscular dysplasia.

CASE REPORT

In this report, we present an uncommon case of renovascular hypertension in a 21-year-old non-white female with a 3-year history of hypertension secondary to fibromuscular dysplasia involving bilateral renal arteries. Computed tomography angiography during the arterial phase revealed distal focal narrowing of the right main renal artery, distal focal narrowing of the left main renal artery, and proximal focal narrowing of the left accessory lower renal artery. Percutaneous balloon dilatation of the stenotic lesion was performed successfully up to 1 year After the procedure, the arterial blood pressure was within the normal range (110/70 to 125/75 mmHg) without medication. After 1 year of follow-up, CTA revealed re-stenosis in left main renal artery without clinical symptoms and normal blood pressure. Repeated procedure was done successfully.

CONCLUSIONS

This case report highlights the difficulty in the diagnosis and treatment of focal fibromuscular dysplasia in young non-white female patients. Computerized tomographic angiography is a useful tool for identifying the cause and showing the benefit of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty treatment for this rare entity, as an early percutaneous angioplasty intervention may have a clinical cure for hypertension.

Mesenteric Arteriovenous Dysplasia/Vasculopathy: Deciphering a Rare, Deceptive, Diagnostic Dilemma

Mesenteric arteriovenous dysplasia/vasculopathy (MAVD/V) is an exceedingly rare noninflammatory vascular disorder affecting small-calibre mesenteric arteries and veins. This report details a case of a 51-year-old male diagnosed with MAVD/V following abdominal pain and vomiting. Surgical exploration revealed distinctive smooth muscle collarette around subserosal arteries and veins. The rarity of this condition, with only 13 cases reported globally, underscores the importance of recognizing this rare entity to prevent misdiagnosis. Surgical resection remains the curative approach, ensuring a disease-free state after surgery. Awareness of MAVD/V is crucial for accurate diagnosis and avoiding unnecessary prolonged management.

Differentiating between segmental arterial mediolysis and other arterial vasculopathies to establish an early diagnosis - a systematic literature review and proposal of new diagnostic criteria

Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is a rare vascular disease, characterized by acute but transient vulnerability of the wall of medium-sized arteries. The most characteristic feature of SAM is its biphasic course: an injurious phase marked by acute weakness of the arterial wall leading to acute dissection and/or hemorrhage, followed by a reparative phase in which granulation tissue and fibrosis restore the injured arterial wall. Residual stenosis, aneurysms, and/or arterial wall irregularities may remain visible on future imaging studies. Differentiating between SAM and other arterial vasculopathies is difficult due to its similarities with many other vascular diseases, such as vasculitis, fibromuscular dysplasia, inherited connective tissue disorders, and isolated visceral artery dissection. In this systematic review, we provide an overview on SAM, with an emphasis on the differential diagnosis and diagnostic work-up. We propose new diagnostic criteria to help establish a prompt diagnosis of SAM, illustrated by case examples from our multidisciplinary vascular clinic.

A review of the risk and precipitating factors for spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Introduction

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) accounts for 1%-4% of cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). SCAD is caused by separation occurring within or between any of the three tunics of the coronary artery wall. This leads to intramural hematoma and/or formation of false lumen in the artery, which leads to ischemic changes or infarction of the myocardium. The incidence of SCAD is higher in women than in men, with a ratio of approximately 9:1. It is estimated that SCAD is responsible for 35% of ACS cases in women under the age of 60. The high frequency is particularly observed during pregnancy and in the peripartum period (first week). Traditional risk factors are rare in patients with SCAD, except for hypertension. Patients diagnosed with SCAD have different combinations of risk factors compared with patients who have atherosclerotic changes in their coronary arteries. We presented the most common so-called "non-traditional" risk factors associated with SCAD patients.

Risk factors and precipitating disorders which are associated with SCAD

In the literature, there are few diseases frequently associated with SCAD, and they are identified as predisposing factors. The predominant cause is fibromuscular dysplasia, followed by inherited connective tissue disorders, systemic inflammatory diseases, pregnancy, use of sex hormones or steroids, use of cocaine or amphetamines, thyroid disorders, migraine, and tinnitus. In recent years, the genetic predisposition for SCAD is also recognized as a predisposing factor. The precipitating factors are also different in women (emotional stress) compared with those in men (physical stress). Women experiencing SCAD frequently describe symptoms of anxiety and depression. These conditions could increase shear stress on the arterial wall and dissection of the coronary artery wall. Despite the advancement of SCAD, we can find significant differences in the clinical presentation between women and men.

Conclusion

When evaluating patients with chest pain or other ACS symptoms who have a low cardiovascular risk, particularly female patients, it is important to consider the possibility of ACS due to SCAD, particularly in conditions often associated with SCAD. This will increase the recognition of SCAD and the timely treatment of affected patients.

A Renal Artery Stenting Case: Support for Increased Use of Drug-Eluting Stents

Fibromuscular dysplasia is a rare, systemic arteriovascular disease that often affects the renal arteries. Balloon angioplasty is recommended for uncontrolled hypertension and compromised renal function; stenting is a bailout option. Drug-eluting stents have been suggested in case reports. We report the successful intervention with an everolimus-coated stent in a very young patient. The patient was followed for 2 years after placing the stent. The success of this case suggests that drug-eluting stents should be used more frequently in comparable situations.

A Case Report on Fibromuscular Dysplasia With Extrarenal Involvement

Fibromuscular dysplasia is a vascular disorder characterized by nonatherosclerotic, noninflammatory arterial abnormalities, primarily affecting renal arteries. While extrarenal involvement is rare, it poses diagnostic challenges due to diverse clinical presentations. We present the case of a middle-aged female who presented with sudden-onset severe abdominal pain and hypertension. Physical examination revealed tenderness, guarding, and hypertensive urgency. Diagnostic workup, including laboratory investigations and computed tomography, identified multifocal arterial stenosis in both renal and mesenteric arteries, consistent with fibromuscular dysplasia. A multidisciplinary team initiated antihypertensive medications and performed angioplasty to address vascular stenosis. The patient showed significant improvement post intervention, highlighting the efficacy of a comprehensive management strategy. This case underscores the clinical complexities of fibromuscular dysplasia, emphasizing the diagnostic challenges posed by extrarenal manifestations. The successful multidisciplinary intervention highlights the importance of timely and targeted measures in addressing both renal and extrarenal complications.

Identification of the first homozygous intragenic deletion in the YY1AP1 gene in a consanguineous family: New insights into the phenotypic variability associated with Grange syndrome

Grange syndrome (GRNG-MIM#135580) is a rare recessive disorder associating variable features including diffuse vascular stenosis, brachysyndactyly, osteopenia with increased bone fragility, cardiac malformations, and variable developmental delay. Since its first description in 1998, only 15 individuals from 10 families have been reported, carrying homozygous or compound heterozygous frameshift or nonsense variants in YY1AP1. In a patient with cutaneous and bone syndactyly and a hemorrhagic stroke at the age of 16 months, consistent with a clinical diagnosis of GRNG, we performed exome sequencing after negative array-CGH and congenital limb malformation panel results. Copy number variant analysis from exome data identified a homozygous intragenic out-of-frame deletion of 1.84 kb encompassing exons seven and eight of YY1AP1, confirming a molecular diagnosis of GRNG. Genetic counseling led to the identification of additional family members compatible with GRNG. Here, we provide new insights into the phenotypic variability associated with GRNG and highlight the utility of the detection of small copy number variants to identify the molecular causes of heterogeneous malformative genetic disorders.

Successful treatment of focal renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia by balloon dilatation demonstrated via fractional flow reserve

We present a rare case of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) manifesting in the mid segment of right renal artery, which led to the development of refractory hypertension. The patient received balloon angioplasty to a severe lesion on the middle of right renal artery and subsequently had normalisation of blood pressures. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) detection of the renal artery before and after balloon dilatation was 0.71 and 0.98, respectively. The patient showed renal artery stenosis (RAS) with distal tumour-like dilatation, and multiple tortuosity and stenosis in carotid artery and coronary artery. At follow-up 2 months later, her blood pressures had normalised.

Pathophysiology of spontaneous coronary artery dissection: hematoma, not thrombus

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) accounts for 1.7%-4% of all acute coronary syndrome presentations, particularly among young women with an emerging awareness of its importance. The demarcation of acute SCAD from coronary atherothrombosis and the proper therapeutic approach still represents a major clinical challenge. Certain arteriopathies and triggers are related to SCAD, with high variability in their prevalence, and often, the cause remains unknown. The objective of this review is to provide contemporary knowledge of the pathophysiology of SCAD and possible therapeutic solutions.

From Fibromuscular Dysplasia to Arterial Dissection and Back

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is an idiopathic and systemic non-inflammatory and non-atherosclerotic arterial disease. Fifteen to 25% of patients with FMD present with arterial dissection in at least one arterial bed. Conversely, a substantial number of patients with renal, carotid, and visceral dissection have underlying FMD. Also, while few patients with FMD develop coronary artery dissection, lesions suggestive of multifocal FMD have been reported in 30-80% of patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), and the relation between these two entities remains controversial. The frequent association of FMD with arterial dissection, both in coronary and extra-coronary arteries raises a number of practical and theoretical questions: (i) Are FMD and arterial dissections two different facets of the same disease or distinct though related entities? (ii) Is SCAD just a manifestation of coronary FMD or a different disease? (iii) What is the risk and which are predictive factors of developing arterial dissection in a patient with FMD? (iv) What proportion of patients who experienced an arterial dissection have underlying FMD, and does this finding influence the risk of subsequent arterial complications? In this review we will address these different questions using fragmentary, mostly cross-sectional evidence derived from large registries and studies from Europe and the United States, as well as arguments derived from demographics, clinical presentation, imaging, and when available histology and genetics. From there we will derive practical consequences for nosology, screening and follow-up.

Endovascular treatments of atherosclerotic renovascular disease: a narrative review and literature search

In recent years, endovascular treatments have become more common in patients with renal artery stenosis and aneurysm. Although the treatment algorithms are not universally accepted, endovascular therapy can be readily utilized for the appropriate indications in the context of surgical treatment for renovascular diseases. The most important factor to consider is that the correct indication is applied for such treatment. Although the applied procedures are believed to have minimal risk, any complications that occur may result in major problems. Moreover, the pathology that is being treated (e.g., hypertension, high serum creatinine concentration, or low glomerular filtration rate) must be well defined. As stent and balloon technologies continue to be developed, more positive results are expected in the coming years. In the present study, we reviewed the endovascular treatment algorithms for atherosclerotic renovascular disease and performed a narrative review of the current literature.

Current challenges in treatment and management of spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Though an infrequent cause of acute coronary syndrome, spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an increasingly recognized cardiovascular condition predominantly seen in middle-aged females. Its pathophysiology is defined by separation of coronary arterial wall layers which cause acute coronary syndrome-like presentations with relatively high recurrence rates. Overall, there is a lack of reported literature and understanding of the short- and long-term management for spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Therapeutic approaches include, but are not limited to, percutaneous coronary intervention, surgical revascularization, antithrombotic therapy, and beta-blocker therapy. There is a significant absence of randomized control trials to help guide both interventional and medical management for spontaneous coronary artery dissection. This review is aimed to review the current literature regarding risk factors and considerations for the short- and long-term management of spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

Cerebrovascular Fibromuscular Dysplasia - A Practical Review

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a rare idiopathic, segmental, noninflammatory and nonatherosclerotic arteriopathy of medium-sized arteries. It is classically considered to be a disease of young and middle adulthood, with females more commonly affected than males. FMD is a systemic disease. Although historically considered to be rare, cerebrovascular FMD (C-FMD) has now been recognized to be as common as the renovascular counterpart. Extracranial carotid and vertebral arteries are the most commonly involved vascular territories in C-FMD with the clinical presentation determined by vessels affected. Common symptoms include headaches and pulsatile tinnitus, with transient ischemic attacks, ischemic stroke and subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage constituting the more severe clinical manifestations. Cervical artery dissection involving carotids more often than vertebral arteries and intracranial aneurysms account for the cerebrovascular pathologies detected in C-FMD. Our understanding regarding C-FMD has been augmented in the recent past on account of dedicated C-FMD data from North American, European and other international FMD cohorts. In this review article, we provide an updated and comprehensive overview on epidemiology, clinical presentation, etiology, diagnosis and management of C-FMD.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Aortic Arch Emergencies: Takayasu Disease, Fibromuscular Dysplasia, and Aortic Arch Pathologies: A Retrospective Study and Review of the Literature

Non-atherosclerotic aortic arch pathologies (NA-AAPs) and anatomical variants are characterized as rare cardiovascular diseases with a low incidence rate, below 1 case per 2000 population, but enormous heterogeneity in terms of anatomical variants, i.e., Takayasu disease (TAK) and fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). In specific clinical scenarios, NA-AAPs constitute life-threatening disorders.

METHODS

In this study, 82 (1.07%) consecutive patients with NA-AAPs (including 38 TAKs, 26 FMDs, and 18 other AAPs) out of 7645 patients who underwent endovascular treatment (EVT) for the aortic arch and its side-branch diseases at a single institution between 2002 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The recorded demographic, biochemical, diagnostic, operative, and postoperative factors were reviewed, and the functional outcomes were determined during follow-up. A systematic review of the literature was also performed.

RESULTS

The study group comprised 65 (79.3%) female and 17 (21.7%) male subjects with a mean age of 46.1 ± 14.9 years. Overall, 62 (75.6%) patients were diagnosed with either cerebral ischemia symptoms or aortic arch dissection on admission. The EVT was feasible in 59 (72%) patients, whereas 23 (28%) patients were referred for medical treatment. In EVT patients, severe periprocedural complications occurred in two (3.39%) patients, including one periprocedural death and one cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome. During a median follow-up period of 64 months, cardiovascular events occurred in 24 (29.6%) patients (5 deaths, 13 ISs, and 6 myocardial infarctions). Repeated EVT for the index lesion was performed in 21/59 (35.6%) patients, including 19/33 (57.6%) in TAK and 2/13 (15.4%) in FMD. In the AAP group, one patient required additional stent-graft implantation for progressing dissection to the iliac arteries at 12 months. A baseline white blood count (odds ratio [HR]: 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-1.39; p < 0.001) was the only independent prognostic factor for recurrent stenosis, while a baseline hemoglobin level (HR: 0.73, 95%CI: 0.59-0.89; p = 0.002) and coronary involvement (HR: 4.11, 95%CI: 1.74-9.71; p = 0.001) were independently associated with a risk of major cardiac and cerebral events according to the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that AAPs should not be neglected in clinical settings, as it can be a life-threatening condition requiring a multidisciplinary approach. The knowledge of prognostic risk factors for adverse outcomes may improve surveillance in this group of patients.

Hemorrhage From Left Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm as a Complication of Acute Pancreatitis in a Patient With Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms are a rare complication of pancreatitis, and their rupture and bleeding cause high mortality. We present the case of a 76-year-old woman with fibromuscular dysplasia who developed a new left hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm within a week of her first episode of acute pancreatitis and later suffered an acute pseudoaneurysm bleed successfully treated with transcatheter coil embolization. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported of a patient with fibromuscular dysplasia with pancreatitis-related pseudoaneurysm formation. One must consider pseudoaneurysms and associated bleeding as complications of acute pancreatitis because prompt recognition can lead to timely management.

Neurofibromatosis type 1, fibromuscular dysplasia, and ischemic stroke: an association lost in time? A case report

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is a rare cause of ischemic stroke (IS) in the general population. We report a case of a young patient with NF1 in whom IS was caused by fibromuscular dysplasia. An angiographic study demonstrated occlusion in the right internal carotid artery (ICA), just after its origin, and the left ICA, just before the intracranial portion, and brain magnetic resonance imaging showed the limits of an area of brain infarction in the right frontoparietal region. Despite these concomitant neuroimaging findings, this association is rare, and it is difficult to establish the contribution to the outcome made by each of these diseases, which treatment is the best to implement, or what prognosis is.

The effect of endovascular treatment of renal artery stenoses on coexistent aneurysms associated with fibromuscular dysplasia

BACKGROUND

Endovascular data on patients with coexistent renal artery stenosis (RAS) and renal artery aneurysm (RAA) caused by fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) are scarce, and the outcomes from RAS-specific treatment on RAA remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of RAS-specific endovascular management in patients with coexisting RAA caused by FMD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical and endovascular data of 19 patients with coexistent RAS and RAA caused by FMD who underwent RAS-specific endovascular therapy were analyzed prospectively. RAA located within 10 mm of the RAS was defined as stenosis-related RAA (SRAA), and long-term outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (24 RASs and 30 RAAs) underwent endovascular therapy. Twenty-one RASs were treated with balloon angioplasty alone, whereas three RASs were treated with stent implantation. None of the RAAs were treated directly. During an average of 4.2 ± 3.2 years of follow-up, systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased from 183.0 ± 19.5 and 120.2 ± 19.0 to 127.9 ± 10.3 and 80.9 ± 6.9 mmHg, respectively; the number of antihypertensive medications reduced from 1.7 ± 1.0 to 0.8 ± 0.3 (all P<0.001). Serum creatinine level remained stable. The maximum diameter of all RAAs decreased from 14.6 ± 9.7 to 11.3 ± 8.4 mm (P<0.001). There was a significant difference in the improvement rate of the maximum diameter for SRAAs (65.0%, 13/20) and non-SRAAs (20.0%, 2/10) (P=0.019).

CONCLUSION

RAS-specific endovascular therapy is safe and effective and possibly aids in preventing RAA progression in FMD patients with coexistent RAS and RAA.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of renovascular hypertension associated with fibromuscular dysplasia in China

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of renal artery fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) in patients in China and identify the cure rate of hypertension after angioplasty.

METHODS

Consecutive hypertensive patients with renal artery stenosis caused by FMD who underwent catheter-based angiography, and were followed at two Chinese referral centres, were retrospectively analysed. All patients underwent a detailed investigation, including demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, biochemical sampling, Doppler ultrasonography of carotid arteries, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the intracranial artery, and CTA or MRA of the abdominal artery and catheter-based renal angiography. Patients were routinely followed up at 1 month, 6 months and every year after the procedure.

RESULTS

Among 245 study participants, with a mean diagnosed age of 26.9 ± 9.9 years, 137 (55.9%) were women, and 38 (15.5%) were children. All patients were diagnosed with hypertension at a mean age of 23.4 ± 8.4 years. There were 73.5% focal and 15.2% multivessel cases. Aneurysms, arterial dissections and total occlusions were found in 21.6, 4.1 and 12.2% of patients, respectively. Patients with multifocal FMD were older (26.0 vs. 23.7 years, P  = 0.021) and more often female (70.8 vs. 50.6%, P  = 0.004). Among children with renal FMD, 55.2% were men, and 86.8% were focal. After a median follow-up of 7.0 years, multifocal FMD had a higher cure rate of hypertension than focal FMD after revascularization (71.7 vs. 55.8%, P  = 0.032).

CONCLUSION

In a cohort of mostly young Chinese patients, the prevalence of hypertension associated with renal FMD is similar in both sexes. Focal FMDs were more frequent than the multifocal ones and, after angioplasty, were associated with a worse blood pressure outcome.

Coronary Artery Dissection and Myocardial Infarction With Nonobstructed Coronary Arteries: Insights From a UK Nationwide Autopsy-Based Registry

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and myocardial infarction with nonobstructed coronary arteries (MINOCA) are increasingly recognized causes of acute coronary syndrome and potentially of sudden cardiac death (SCD). SCAD has been correlated to coronary fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), but the prevalence of SCAD and FMD among SCD victims is unclear. Therefore, we sought to assess characteristics of decedents with SCAD found at autopsy and to compare their clinical and pathological profile with MINOCA victims.

METHODS

We reviewed a database of 5325 consecutive cases of SCDs referred to our cardiac pathology center between 1994 and 2017.

RESULTS

We identified 18 (0.3%) cases with SCAD and 37 (0.7%) with MINOCA. No signs of coronary FMD were found among SCAD and MINOCA victims. Compared to MINOCA, SCAD decedents were mostly females (78% versus 38%, P=0.006) and SCD occurred during peripartum more frequently in SCAD rather than MINOCA female victims (28% versus 3%, P=0.012) Infarcted myocardium was identified in all cases of MINOCA but only in 5 (28%) of SCAD decedents (P<0.001). Premortem cardiac symptoms were present in 100% of SCAD and 49% of MINOCA victims (P<0.001); substances use or abuse was reported in none of SCAD versus 43% of MINOCA decedents (P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

SCAD and MINOCA are rare causes of SCD. At autopsy, coronary FMD is not present among SCAD victims. Compared to MINOCA, SCAD victims are more frequently females, are linked to pregnancy, and always experienced premortem cardiac symptoms. Among MINOCA victims' substance use or abuse is common.

Not So Benign Chest Pain in the Young: A Story of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection and Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare clinical entity, often presenting similar to atherosclerotic acute coronary syndrome (ACS), although it is a non-atherosclerotic, non-traumatic, and non-iatrogenic coronary artery pathology. We report the case of a 36-year-old woman who presented with substernal, pressure-like chest pain without aggravating, alleviating, or associated symptoms. Initial evaluation revealed elevated troponin levels which peaked at 8.71 ng/mL. Electrocardiogram showed borderline J point elevation in the lateral leads. A transthoracic echocardiography revealed mild left ventricular dysfunction with an estimated ejection fraction of 45% to 50%, an akinetic apex with hyperdynamic basal segments, suggestive of stress cardiomyopathy. However, a left anterior descending artery (LAD) infarction could not be excluded. Emergent coronary angiography revealed SCAD of the LAD. No coronary interventions were performed. The patient was managed medically with dual antiplatelet therapy and beta-blockers. Given the high suspicion for fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of the head to pelvis was performed. The CTA neck showed bilateral focal areas of mild stenosis and dilation of the distal cervical internal carotid artery, and CTA abdomen revealed multiple splenic artery aneurysms, diagnostic of FMD. Unlike atherosclerotic ACS, our patient was managed medically without percutaneous intervention. This case illustrates the rare occurrence of myocardial injury due to SCAD which results in spontaneous intramural hematoma formation rather than atherosclerotic plaque rupture typically seen in ACS. FMD remains the most commonly associated condition with SCAD.

Percutaneous Transluminal Renal Angioplasty for Fibromuscular Dysplasia and Prognostic Risk Factors: A Retrospective Chinese Cohort Study

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a non-atherosclerotic, non-inflammatory vascular disease involving small-to-medium-sized arteries. The characteristics of Chinese patients with FMD remain unclear. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with renal FMD who underwent percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) for the first time at Fuwai Hospital between 2010 and 2021. The variables were selected through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO), and logistic regression models were constructed to identify independent risk factors. A total of 116 patients (52 males, median age at diagnosis, 25.0 years) were enrolled. Elevated blood pressure was the leading complaint. After a median follow-up period of 18.0 months (interquartile range: 6.0-48.0 months), hypertension recurred in 34 patients and restenosis in nine patients, among whom four patients underwent secondary intervention and one patient underwent surgical revascularization. Bilateral renal artery involvement (odds ratio [OR]: 2.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-6.15; p = 0.028) and age at hypertension onset (OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88-0.99; p = 0.018) were independent prognostic factors for adverse outcomes. The results indicate that patients with bilateral renal artery involvement and younger age at hypertension onset are more likely to have poorer clinical outcomes after PTRA, and should be more closely monitored.

Systematic review of postpartum and pregnancy-related cervical artery dissection

BACKGROUND

Cervical artery dissection (CeAD) is responsible of one fifth of cases of ischemic stroke, but is uncommon during pregnancy or the early postpartum period and evidence is derived from published case reports and case series.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review with a prospectively registered protocol was conducted to study the clinical presentation, management and prognosis of this condition.

METHODS

Ovid-Medline, PubMed Central, and CINAHL were searched without language restriction.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven articles (50 case reports and seven case series) reporting on 77 patients were included. The mean age was 33.7 years. The main possible risk factors identified were migraine, hyperlipidemia, connective tissue disorders, preeclampsia and eclampsia, HELLP syndrome and prolonged second stage of labor. Headache was the most frequent symptom, followed by neck pain. Acute medical treatments included anticoagulation, antiplatelets, and endovascular therapy. No patients received thrombolysis. The overall prognosis was good with 77.8% of patients making full clinical recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical artery dissection is a rare, but an important complication of pregnancy and puerperium. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. The strong association with hypertensive and connective tissue disorders requires further research.

Fibromuscular Dysplasia and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Are Dimorphic Sex-Specific Diseases With Shared Complex Genetic Architecture

BACKGROUND

The risk of arterial diseases may be elevated among family members of individuals having multifocal fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). We sought to investigate the risk of arterial diseases in families of individuals with FMD.

METHODS

Family histories for 73 probands with FMD were obtained, which included an analysis of 463 total first-degree relatives focusing on FMD and related arterial disorders. A polygenic risk score for FMD (PRSFMD) was constructed from prior genome-wide association findings of 584 FMD cases and 7139 controls and evaluated for association with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in a cohort of 9693 AAA cases and 294 049 controls. A previously published PRSAAA was also assessed among the FMD cases and controls.

RESULTS

Of all first degree relatives of probands, 9.3% were diagnosed with FMD, aneurysms, and dissections. Aneurysmal disease occurred in 60.5% of affected relatives and 5.6% of all relatives. Among 227 female first-degree relatives of probands, 4.8% (11) had FMD, representing a relative risk (RR)FMD of 1.5 ([95% CI, 0.75-2.8]; P=0.19) compared with the estimated population prevalence of 3.3%, though not of statistical significance. Of all fathers of FMD probands, 11% had AAAs resulting in a RRAAA of 2.3 ([95% CI, 1.12-4.6]; P=0.014) compared with population estimates. The PRSFMD was found to be associated with an AAA (odds ratio, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.01-1.05]; P=2.6×10-3), and the PRSAAA was found to be associated with FMD (odds ratio, 1.53 [95% CI, 1.2-1.9]; P=9.0×10-5) as well.

CONCLUSIONS

FMD and AAAs seem to be sex-dimorphic manifestations of a heritable arterial disease with a partially shared complex genetic architecture. Excess risk of having an AAA according to a family history of FMD may justify screening in family members of individuals having FMD.

Adenosine Receptors Profile in Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a non-inflammatory vascular disease that is characterized by unexplained systemic hypertension occurring in young people, associated with arterial stenosis, aneurysm rupture, intracranial/renal infarction, and stroke. Although the gold standard for the diagnosis remains catheter-angiography, biological markers would be helpful due to the delay from first symptom to diagnosis. Adenosine is an ATP derivative, that may be implicated in FMD pathophysiology. We hypothesized that changes in adenosine blood level (ABL) and production of adenosine receptors may be associated with FMD. Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we evaluated A1, A2A, and A2B receptor production by Western blot, in 67 patients (17 men and 50 women, mean (range) age 55 (29−77) years and 40 controls, 10 men and 30 women, mean (range) age 56 (37−70)). ABL was evaluated by liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry. ABL was significantly higher in patients vs. controls, mean (range): 1.7 (0.7−3) µmol/L vs. controls 0.6 (0.4−0.8) µmol/L (+180%) p < 0.001. While A1R and A2AR production did not differ in patients and controls, we found an over-production of A2BR in patients: 1.70 (0.90−2.40; arbitrary units) vs. controls = 1.03 (0.70−1.40), mean + 65% (p < 0.001). A2BR production with a cut off of 1.3 arbitrary units, gives a good sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis. Production measurement of A2BR on monocytes and ABL could help in the diagnosis, especially in atypical or with poor symptoms.

Individualized exercise prescription and cardiac rehabilitation following a spontaneous coronary artery dissection or aortic dissection

Aims

Prescribed aerobic-based exercise training is a low-risk fundamental component of cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Secondary prevention therapeutic strategies following a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) or aortic dissection (AD) should include CR. Current exercise guidance for post-dissection patients recommends fundamental training components including target heart rate zones are not warranted. Omitting fundamental elements from exercise prescriptions risks safety and makes it challenging for both clinicians and patients to understand and implement recommendations in real-world practice. We review the principles of exercise prescription for CR, focusing on translating guidelines and evidence from well-studied high-risk CR populations to support the recommendation that exercise testing and individualized exercise prescription are important for patients following a dissection.

Methods and results

When patients self-perceive exercise intensity there is a tendency to underestimate intensities within metabolic domains that should be strictly avoided during routine exercise training following a dissection. However, exercise testing associated with CR enrolment has gained support and has not been linked to adverse events in optimally medicated post-dissection patients. Graded heart rate and blood pressure responses recorded throughout exercise testing provide key information for developing an exercise prescription. An exercise prescription that is reflective of medical history, medications, and cardiorespiratory fitness optimizes patient safety and yields improvements in blood pressure control and cardiorespiratory fitness, among other benefits.

Conclusion

This clinical practice and education article demonstrates how to develop and manage a CR exercise prescription for post-acute dissection patients that can be safe and effective for maintaining blood pressure control and improving cardiorespiratory fitness pre-post CR.

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection in a Female Patient With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is the formation of a false lumen within a vessel wall, with an accumulation of blood leading to vessel occlusion, mimicking symptoms of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Here, we discuss the case of a middle-aged woman with STEMI who was found to have coronary artery dissection on coronary angiography during left heart catheterization. Clinicians should have a high suspicion of SCAD in young females presenting with AMI without traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease. Such patients should receive urgent angiography. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, there are no clear guidelines for treating AMI secondary to SCAD. Hemodynamically stable patients can be managed with the immediate initiation of antiplatelet therapy and beta-blockers. Thrombolytic therapy is avoided due to the risk of dissection and intramural hematoma. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is indicated in patients with multiple vessel involvement or patients who have had a primary coronary intervention fail. Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) may be a better option in STEMI or hemodynamic instability. However, current treatment strategies are based on expert opinion and a few case studies.

Differences in Demographics and Outcomes Between Men and Women With Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an increasingly recognized cause of myocardial infarction (MI) that most frequently affects women. The characteristics of men with SCAD are less well described.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of men with SCAD.

METHODS

We compared baseline demographics, clinical presentation, angiographic findings and cardiovascular outcomes of men and women in the Canadian SCAD Study. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were composite of death, MI, stroke or transient ischemic attack, heart failure hospitalization, and revascularization.

RESULTS

Of 1,173 patients with SCAD, 123 (10.5%) were men. Men with SCAD were younger than women (mean age 49.4 ± 9.6 years vs 52.0 ± 10.6 years; P = 0.01). Men had lower rate of prior MI than women (0.8% vs 7.0%; P = 0.005). Men were less likely to have fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) (27.8% vs 52.7%; P = 0.001), depression (9.8% vs 20.2%; P = 0.005), emotional stress (35.0% vs 59.3%; P < 0.001), or high score on the Perceived Stress Scale (3.5% vs 11.0%; P = 0.025) but were more likely to report isometric physical stress (40.2% vs 24.0%; P = 0.007). There was no difference in angiographic types of SCAD, but men had more circumflex artery (44.4% vs 30.9%; P = 0.001) and fewer right coronary artery (11.8% vs 21.7%; P = 0.0054) dissections. At median follow-up of 3.0 (IQR: 2.0-3.8) years, men had fewer hospital presentations with chest pain (10.6% vs 24.8%; P < 0.001). There were no differences in in-hospital events or follow-up MACE (7.3% vs 12.7%; P = 0.106).

CONCLUSIONS

Ten percent of SCAD patients were men. Men were younger and more likely to have a physical trigger but were less likely to have FMD, depression, or an emotional trigger. Men had less recurrent chest pain but no significant difference in MACE.

Successful management of bilateral internal carotid artery fusiform giant aneurysms in a patient with intimal fibroplasia using multiple flow diverters: With long-term imaging follow up

The authors report a rare case of sequentially developed bilateral internal carotid artery (ICA) fusiform giant aneurysms in a patient with pathologically confirmed intimal fibroplasia. Both ICA fusiform aneurysms were treated with multiple flow diverter insertion and were well-managed over the past 5.5 years of follow-up. The development of aneurysms in this rare disease entity appears to be a lifelong process based on the authors' observations in serial angiographic follow-up studies. Reconstruction therapy using flow-diverting stents in this unique condition may be a safe and effective treatment modality.

The complex genetic basis of fibromuscular dysplasia, a systemic arteriopathy associated with multiple forms of cardiovascular disease

Artery stenosis is a common cause of hypertension and stroke and can be due to atherosclerosis accumulation in the majority of cases and in a small fraction of patients to arterial fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD). Artery stenosis due to atherosclerosis is widely studied with known risk factors (e.g. increasing age, male gender, and dyslipidemia) to influence its etiology, including genetic factors. However, the causes of noninflammatory and nonatherosclerotic stenosis in FMD are less understood. FMD occurs predominantly in early middle-age women, a fraction of the population where cardiovascular risk is different and understudied. FMD arteriopathies are often diagnosed in the context of hypertension and stroke and co-occur mainly with spontaneous coronary artery dissection, an atypical cause of acute myocardial infarction. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in the understanding of molecular origins of FMD. Data were obtained from genetic studies using complementary methodological approaches applied to familial, syndromic, and sporadic forms of this intriguing arteriopathy. Rare variation analyses point toward mechanisms related to impaired prostacyclin signaling and defaults in fibrillar collagens. The study of common variation, mainly through a recent genome-wide association study, describes a shared genetic link with blood pressure, in addition to point at potential risk genes involved in actin cytoskeleton and intracellular calcium homeostasis supporting impaired vascular contraction as a key mechanism. We conclude this review with future strategies and approaches needed to fully understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms related to FMD.

Endovascular interventions in main renal artery pathologies: an overview and update

Renal arteries are involved in a wide spectrum of pathologies including atherosclerosis, fibromuscular dysplasia, Takayasu arteritis, aneurysms, and aortic type B dissections extending into main renal arteries. They manifest as renovascular hypertension, renal ischemia, and cardiovascular dysfunction. The location of the renal arteries in relation to the abdominal aortic aneurysm is a critical determinant of interventional options and long-term prognosis. This article provides a comprehensive review of the role of interventional radiologists in transcatheter interventions in various pathologies involving the main renal arteries with analysis of epidemiology, pathophysiology, newer interventional techniques, and management options.

Aortic Dimensions Are Larger in Patients With Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Background Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a disease of unknown etiology that causes stenosis, aneurysmal dilatation, and dissection of vascular beds. Known to affect medium-sized arteries, FMD is not typically considered to affect the aorta. We tested the hypothesis that aortic size in FMD is abnormal compared with age- and sex-matched controls. Methods and Results Medical records and computed tomography angiography images were reviewed in female patients with a diagnosis of FMD who were seen in the vascular medicine clinic at Emory Healthcare. Aortic dimensions were measured at 6 different landmarks. Using 2 sample t tests, the aortic measurements and height-indexed measurements were compared with published normal values in healthy women of a similar age. A total of 94 female patients were included in the study. The median age was 57 (interquartile range, 50-65). FMD involvement was present most commonly in the extracranial carotid (77.7%) and renal (43.6%) arteries. All 6 aortic segments were found to be larger in both absolute measures and height-indexed measures in the FMD population (P<0.001). The largest differences were observed within the absolute measures of the sinotubular junction with mean±SD (mm) (29.9±4.1) versus (27±2.5), ascending aorta (32.7±4.4) versus (30.0±3.5), and descending aorta (24.7±3.0) versus (22.0±2.0) (P<0.001). Conclusions Aortic diameters in female patients with FMD are larger when compared with published age- and sex-matched normal values. These findings suggest that FMD may also affect the large-sized arteries.

PHACTR-1 (Phosphatase and Actin Regulator 1) Deficiency in Either Endothelial or Smooth Muscle Cells Does Not Predispose Mice to Nonatherosclerotic Arteriopathies in 3 Transgenic Mice

BACKGROUND

Genome-wide association studies have revealed robust associations of common genetic polymorphisms in an intron of the PHACTR-1 (phosphatase and actin regulator 1) gene (chr6p24), with cervical artery dissection, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, and fibromuscular dysplasia. The aim was to assess its role in the pathogenesis of cervical artery dissection or fibromuscular dysplasia.

METHODS

Using various tissue-specific Cre-driver mouse lines, Phactr1 was deleted either in endothelial cells using 2 tissue-specific Cre-driver (PDGFB [platelet-derived growth factor B]-Cre^ERT2 mice and Tie2 [tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin and EGF homology domains]-Cre) and smooth muscle cells (smooth muscle actin-Cre^ERT2) with a third tissue-specific Cre-driver.

RESULTS

To test the efficacy of the Phactr1 deletion after cre-induction, we confirmed first, a decrease in Phactr1 transcription and Phactr1 expression in endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell isolated from Phactr1^iPDGFB and Phactr1^iSMA mice. Irrespective to the tissue or the duration of the deletion, mice did not spontaneously display pathological phenotype or vascular impairment: mouse survival, growth, blood pressure, large vessel morphology, or actin organization were not different in knockout mice than their comparatives littermates. Challenging vascular function and repair either by angiotensin II-induced hypertension or limb ischemia did not lead to vascular morphology or function impairment in Phactr1-deleted mice. Similarly, there were no more consequences of Phactr1 deletion during embryogenesis in endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Loss of PHACTR-1 function in the cells involved in vascular physiology does not appear to induce a pathological vascular phenotype. The in vivo effect of the intronic variation described in genome-wide association studies is unlikely to involve downregulation in PHACTR-1 expression.

Case Report of a Hemangioblastoma With Large Blood Vessels and Rare Vascular Anomalies: Is It Fibromuscular Dysplasia or Arteriovenous Malformation Association?

Hemangioblastoma is considered a benign neoplasm characterized by abnormal vasculature and stromal cells; several pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed, such as genetic predisposition, hormonal factors, and arterial wall ischemia. Fibromuscular dysplasia is characterized by hyperplasia or thinning of the smooth muscle, elastic fibre destruction, fibrous tissue proliferation, and arterial wall disorganization. We present a cerebellar hemangioblastoma case not associated with Von Hippel Lindau syndrome. Histologically we evidenced big vessels with anomalies of the vascular walls corresponding to fibromuscular dysplasia, and those changes have not been described in these types of tumors. In this light, rare findings could be called vascular malformations or degenerative vascular changes, fibromuscular dysplasia or vascular anomalies. Arterio-venous malformation and hemangioblastoma pathology are rarely presented together. Notwithstanding, we could say that it is a stromal stem cell tumor in a varied stage of differentiation.

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: New Insights into This Not-So-Rare Condition

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon but increasingly recognized cause of acute myocardial infarction (MI) among young and middle-aged women and is an important cause of pregnancy-associated MI. Over 90% of SCAD patients are women. Compared to patients with MI caused by atherosclerosis, SCAD patients have fewer cardiovascular risk factors but more often have systemic arteriopathy, most commonly fibromuscular dysplasia. Angiographically, SCAD is characterized by the presence of an intramural hematoma with or without an intimal tear. Accurate recognition of characteristic findings on coronary angiography is critical, as there are important differences in the acute and long-term management of MI caused by SCAD versus atherosclerosis. Acutely, most SCAD patients should be managed conservatively, since percutaneous revascularization is associated with more complications and SCAD-affected vessels usually heal without intervention. Randomized clinical trials and other prospective evaluations are needed, especially to clarify optimal treatment and prevention strategies.

[Arterial fibromuscular dysplasia as a factor in sudden cardiac death in young adults]

The objective of the study is to consider the problem of diagnostics of a rare vasculopathy, fibromuscular dysplasia of coronary arteries, by the case study of a 19-year-old serviceman, an athlete with sudden death occurred during slight physical exertion. After repeated histological examination as part of the forensic medical examination, the diagnosis was made: «multifocal fibromuscular dysplasia of the coronary arteries and ascending aortic arch, complicated by acute left ventricular failure.» This disease often manifests with the acute coronary syndrome in people of young age. Therefore, special attention was given to the macroscopic and histological features of fibromuscular dysplasia of arteries.

Carotid Web Phenotype Is Uncommonly Associated With Classic Fibromuscular Dysplasia: A Retrospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Carotid web (CaW) is an intimal form of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) involving the carotid bulb which has been increasingly recognized as a potential cause of recurrent ischemic strokes. It is overlooked as a separate entity and often dismissed if no coexistent signs of classic FMD changes are observed. We aim to evaluate the frequency of classic FMD in high-yield vascular territories in patients with symptomatic CaW.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of a symptomatic CaW database of 2 comprehensive stroke centers (spanning September 2014-October 2020). The diagnosis of a CaW during a stroke workup was defined as the presence of a shelf-like linear filling defect in the posterior aspect of the carotid bulb on computed tomography angiography in patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack of undetermined cause after a thorough evaluation. Neck computed tomography angiography and renal conventional angiography images were independently evaluated by two readers blinded to the laterality and clinical details to inspect the presence of underlying classic FMD.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients with CaW were identified. Median age was 51 years (interquartile range, 42-57), and 74% were women. All patients had neck computed tomography angiography (allowing for bilateral vertebral and carotid evaluation), whereas 47 patients had additional digital subtraction angiography (which evaluated 47 carotids ipsilateral to the stroke and 10 contralateral carotids). Internal carotid artery classic FMD changes were noted in only 6 out of 66 (9%) in the ipsilateral carotids. No contralateral carotid or vertebral artery classic FMD changes were observed. Renal artery catheter-based angiography was obtained in 16 patients/32 arteries and only 1 patient/2 renal arteries demonstrated classic FMD changes.

CONCLUSIONS

CaW phenotype is uncommonly associated with classic FMD changes. Coexistent classic FMD does not constitute a useful marker to corroborate or exclude CaW diagnosis.

Resistant hypertension after renal infarction in a man with fibromuscular dysplasia

We report the case of 39-year-old Caucasian man presenting in emergency department with new onset of severe hypertension with hypokalaemia eight weeks after renal colic. Patient was referred to a hypertension unit for further investigation. Hormonal analysis confirmed secondary aldosteronism and slightly impaired kidney function. Imaging revealed smaller right kidney, 'string of beads appearance' of distal part of right renal artery, a short zone of dissection and renal infarction. Renal scintigraphy showed significant blood flow reduction and severe functional damage of the right kidney. Despite multidrug antihypertensive treatment patient's hypertension was resistant and target organ damage evolved. After initial patient's refusal, he was later successfully treated with laparoscopic simple nephrectomy. Histopathological analysis confirmed renal artery dissection and medial fibroplasia. Thereafter, hypertension was controlled with trandalopril monotherapy. This is a first case report of the patient with renovascular multifocal fibromuscular dysplasia, dissection and renal infarction whose diagnosis of the disease was confirmed by angiography and histopathologic analysis. Resistant hypertension was successfully treated with nephrectomy.

Increased Collagen Turnover Is a Feature of Fibromuscular Dysplasia and Associated With Hypertrophic Radial Remodeling: A Pilot, Urine Proteomic Study

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), a nonatherosclerotic, noninflammatory disease of medium-sized arteries, is an underdiagnosed disease. We investigated the urinary proteome and developed a classifier for discrimination of FMD from healthy controls and other diseases. We further hypothesized that urinary proteomics biomarkers may be associated with alterations in medium-sized, but not large artery geometry and mechanics. The study included 33 patients with mostly multifocal, renal FMD who underwent in depth arterial exploration using ultra-high frequency ultrasound. The cohort was separated in a training set of 23 patients with FMD from Belgium and an independent test set of 10 patients with FMD from Italy. For each set, controls matched 2:1 were selected from the Human Urinary Proteome Database. The specificity of the classifier was tested in 700 additional controls from general population studies, patients with chronic kidney disease (n=66) and coronary artery disease (n=31). Three hundred thirty-five urinary peptides, mostly related to collagen turnover, were identified in the training cohort and combined into a classifier. When applying in the test cohort, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 1.00, 100% specificity at 100% sensitivity. The classifier maintained a high specificity in additional controls (98.3%), patients with chronic kidney (90.9%) and coronary artery (96.8%) diseases. Furthermore, in patients with FMD, the proteomic score was positively associated with radial wall thickness and wall cross-sectional area. In conclusion, a proteomic score has the potential to discriminate between patients with FMD and controls. If confirmed in a wider and more diverse cohort, these findings may pave the way for a noninvasive diagnostic test of FMD.

Ruptured Left Gastric Artery Aneurysm Associated with Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Background: Fibromuscular dysplasia is a non-inflammatory, non-atherosclerotic vascular disease that commonly affects renal and carotid arteries but involvement of virtually any vascular territory has been observed.Research Design/ Study sample: This is a case report of a ruptured left gastric artery aneurysm as the first presentation of fibromuscular dysplasia.Data collection: After written consent from the patient, relevant clinical notes and imaging were retrospectively reviewed and critically analysed.Purpose: This case reiterates the importance of considering fibromuscular dysplasia as an uncommon cause of visceral artery aneurysms. In addition, this case shows that the impact of visceral artery vasospasm on endovascular access should not be underestimated and subsequent attempts can be successful after a period of resuscitation.Results: After initial difficulty in endovascular treatment due to visceral vasospasm, the case was successfully managed with with staged open ligation and endovascular embolization after a period of resuscitation.Conclusions: FMD is an important differential diagnosis to consider in cases of visceral aneurysms.

The Use of Systematic Clinical Approach in Diagnosing Rare Cases of Secondary Hypertension: A Case Report of Mid Aortic Syndrome in a Young Patient

Mid aortic syndrome (MAS) is a rare disease that occurs in children and young adults. The most important clinical feature reflecting vascular involvement is the presence of systemic hypertension. The diagnosis is usually made during the imaging assessment of secondary hypertension when routine echocardiography fails to identify the characteristic morphological or Doppler flow patterns associated with thoracic arch coarctation in the presence of the clinical features of aortic vascular obstruction. In this report, we present a case of a 22-year-old male who presented with systemic hypertension not responding to medical treatment, and whose systematic diagnostic workup revealed the diagnosis of MAS involving both renal arteries.

Fibromuscular Dysplasia/Carotid Web in Angio-CT Imaging: A Rare Cause of Ischemic Stroke

Background and Objectives: Carotid web (CaW) is an intimal variant of fibromuscular dysplasia and may constitute as one of rare causes of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of CaW in patients with AIS or transient ischemic attack (TIA) based on head/neck CT angiography (CTA) in a Polish cohort study. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was performed by analyzing 1480 electronic clinical and imaging data regarding patients with AIS or TIA, hospitalized in the years 2018–2020 in the authors’ institution. The final sample consisted of 181 patients who underwent head/neck CTA; aged 67.81 ± 13.51 years (52% were women). All head/neck CTA studies were independently evaluated by two radiologists. The patient’s clinical condition was assessed with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS, 5.76 ± 4.05 and 2.88 ± 3.38 at admission and at discharge, respectively). Results: 27 patients were identified with CaW. The prevalence of CaW in the final sample (181 pts with good quality CTA) was 14.9%. In the CaW group, 89% patients had AIS, including 26% diagnosed with recurrent and 11% with cryptogenic strokes. There were no significant differences between the presence of CaW and gender, age, NIHSS score, recurrent or cryptogenic stroke. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that CaW may be an underrecognized entity leading to cerebrovascular events. The diagnosis of CaW depends on a high level of awareness and a comprehensive analysis of the neuroimaging studies. Our findings support the hypothesis that it is worthwhile to perform CTA to determine the etiology of ischemic stroke, particularly if predicting factors were not identified.

Pathophysiology of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Determines Anticoagulation Strategy

Spontaneous coronary dissection is an uncommon disorder, lacking convincing pathophysiologic evidence. Scientific statements and state-of-the-art articles suggest intramural hematoma from bleeding vasa vasorum is the cause. Evidence is based on limited invasive evaluation with optical coherence tomography. This assumption, therefore, suggests anti-coagulation be discontinued. Mechanical shear forces, intraluminal pressures do not support bleeding vasa vasorum closing a higher luminal pressure vessel.

The endothelium’s role in inflammation, thrombosis, and repair suggests the pathophysiology is failure to repair endothelium with the lack of repair as the nidus of disruption. A tear ensues and can spontaneously reseal. The lack of inflammatory cells in pathological specimens and association with another poorly understood disease fibromuscular dysplasia supports the etiology of both entities as failure to replace endothelium. The endothelium is the fulcrum of both inflammation and thrombosis. The ability to heal the rift supports conservative therapy.

Anticoagulants and antiplatelet reduce thrombosis and inflammation which will ensue when the endothelium is disrupted. These agents will substitute for the failed endothelium allowing thrombosis to be kept in check, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. This thesis and the state-of-the-art articles do not present clinical outcome data. Both support conservative interventions. Anticoagulation recommendations are however in opposite realms. Failure to repair endothelium suggest additional therapies of statins, exercise, smoking cessation will increase circulating stem cells may reduce future events and slow the progression of fibromuscular dysplasia. Future directions in understanding this disease and new therapies requires measurement of repair mechanisms such as the quantity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells.