Defining the Basis of Fibromuscular Dysplasia: The Define-FMD Study
The purpose of this study has evolved and expanded since its inception. Originally the intent was to establish the functional, molecular and genetic profile of fibroblasts from Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) patients as compared to carefully matched control subjects. While this remains among the objectives, the study has been expanded to undertake a fully powered cross-tissue systems genetics analysis of FMD, and now also the related arteriopathies spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and cervical artery dissection (CvAD). The overall objective is to disclose the core biologic mechanisms of these disorders.
• Patients of any age and freely willing to participate. For patients \< 18 years of age consent will be via parents.
• Fluency in either English or Spanish.
• Signed, informed consent
• For FMD, SCAD or CvAD subjects - a clinical diagnosis of FMD, SCAD or CvAD with fulfillment of standard diagnostic criteria.
• For healthy controls - no clinical features of FMD, SCAD or CvAD and absence of any major ongoing systemic disease including any condition requiring hospitalization, immune suppression, intravenous or injected medications or that result in functional impairment in the performance of activities of daily living. Healthy controls will be matched to enrolled FMD patients on the basis of gender and approximate age (within a 5 year window of another FMD subject).