DIFFUSE INTIMAL FIBROMUSCULAR DYSPLASIA WITH MULTIORGAN FAILURE

A woman presented with a rapid onset of hypertension, angina pectoris, peripheral vascular disease, renal involvement, and a large liver cys t. Surgical removal of the liver cyst precipitated renal and liver fai lure and a terminal arrhythmia, At autopsy, there was intimal fibromus cular dysplasia involving the arteries to the heart, liver, kidneys, a nd intestines and evidence of recent infarction of the intestines, kid ney, and liver. This case illustrates that intimal fibromuscular dyspl asia (FMD) can be a diffuse and rapidly progressive disease. Some trea tments currently being evaluated for preventing restenosis following a ngioplasty may find use in treating this uncommon disease.