Peripheral Vascular Calcification

Peripheral artery disease commonly refers to diffuse atherothrombotic disease of the arteries supplying the legs. Peripheral artery disease has been relatively understudied and has not been subject to the same intensive scrutiny and research that characterizes coronary artery disease. Moreover, the diagnosis of peripheral artery disease can be complicated by the presence of arterial calcification. Here, we provide a brief report on the current understanding of peripheral vascular calcification to include the following sections: basic mechanisms, anatomic distribution of arterial calcification, manifestations, risk factors, measurement of peripheral calcification, nonsurgical treatments, and surgical interventions.