There have been no studies to date on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of how fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) affects vascular function. It is unknown whether FMD is associated with endothelial dysfunction as it is with atherosclerosis. Markers of vascular function including endothelial dependent flow-mediated vasodilation, carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), ankle-brachial indices (ABI), and pulse wave velocities were evaluated to assess cardiovascular disease risk in FMD. Due to the perturbations in the blood vessel wall and the propensity for stenosis, dissection, and aneurysms seen in arteries with FMD, subjects with FMD may have impairment in endothelial function and abnormalities in arterial compliance. If in fact this was borne out, these abnormalities may lead to an increase in IMT of the carotid artery or decrease in the ABI.
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