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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Experimental and Imaging Techniques for Examining Fibrin Clot Structures in Normal and Diseased States
Published on: April 1, 2015
Insights
Cerebrovascular complications, such as ischemic strokes, frequently affect patients with Fabry
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Genetics
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Fabry disease is a rare genetic disorder.
- It affects multiple organs, including the brain.
- Cerebrovascular complications are a known concern.
Observation:
- Thirty-three patients with Fabry disease were reviewed.
- Eight patients (24%) experienced cerebrovascular events.
- These events primarily involved ischemic strokes in small arteries.
Findings:
- Strokes occurred in both carotid and vertebrobasilar territories.
- Most strokes (6/8) happened before age 40.
- Small artery thrombosis due to Fabry disease is the likely cause.
Implications:
- Stroke is a significant cause of morbidity in Fabry disease.
- Early-onset strokes are common.
- Understanding these complications is crucial for patient management.
Abstract:
This study was performed to characterize the frequency, clinical presentation and etiology of cerebrovascular complications in patients with Fabry's disease. Thirty-three patients (age range 6-64 years) with Fabry's disease were reviewed, eight (24%) of whom suffered cerebrovascular complications. All patients developed ischemic strokes involving small arterial vessels which occurred in equal frequency in carotid and vertebrobasilar distributions. In six of these eight patients, a stroke occurred prior to age 40 years. Stroke frequently complicates Fabry's disease and represents a significant source of morbidity in patients affected with this condition; it usually involves thrombosis of small arteries affected by the disease process.
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