In vivo intravascular ultrasound imaging of fibromuscular dysplastic region and intravascular pressure gradient-guided percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty

SummaryFibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is one of the etiologies of renal artery stenosis (RAS) and secondary hypertension. Balloon angioplasty has emerged as the mainstay of treatment because patients with FMD usually show substantial clinical and anatomic response to renal angioplasty without stenting. We report a 21-year-old male case of FMD-induced RAS treated with intravascular ultrasound- and pressure gradient-guided renal angioplasty. Ultrasonic imaging of the stenotic renal artery clearly visualized adventitial fibrotic band surrounding the negative remodeled renal artery and the accompanying atherosclerotic plaque. The findings suggest that atherosclerotic change can occur in young patients with renal FMD that is basically considered to be nonatherosclerotic. Pressure gradient measurement is also useful in confirming hemodynamic improvement during angioplasty.