Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Clinical Pearl of the Day: Fibromuscular Dysplasia

Fibromuscular dysplasia is a condition that causes narrowing (stenosis) and enlargement (aneurysm) of the medium-sized arteries in your body.

Insight:

• Fibromuscular dysplasia appears most commonly in the arteries leading to the kidneys and brain.
• Fibromuscular dysplasia can affect other arteries, including those leading to the legs, heart, abdomen and, rarely in the arms.
• Symptoms may include high blood pressure, poor kidney function, headache, a pulsing ringing in the ears, dizziness, sudden neck pain, and stroke.
• Causes may be hormones and genetics.
• Risk factors may include gender, age, and smoking.
• Diagnosis may include duplex ultrasound, CT angiogram, MRI, and catheter-based angiography.
• Treatment may include:
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), or lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) to help relax the blood vessels.
  • Angiotensin II receptor blockers. These medications also help relax the blood vessels. Examples of this class of medications include candesartan (Atacand), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), and valsartan (Diovan).
  • Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), help remove excess fluid from the body and may be used with other blood pressure medications.
  • Calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine (Norvasc), nifedipine (Procardia) and others, help relax your blood vessels.
  • Beta blockers such as metoprolol (Lopressor), atenolol (Tenormin) and others, slow the heartbeat and block adrenaline.

Sources:

• Fibromuscular dysplasia - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
• fibromuscular dysplasia - Google Search