No abstract

These results indicate that calcification of the aorta is independently associated with aortic stiffness and serum 25(OH)D level in patients with PAD and in healthy subjects. Aortic stiffness and abnormal vitamin D level may contribute to vascular calcification and are related to higher severity grade of atherosclerotic disease.

The independent association between OPG and aPWV in patients with PAD and in controls suggests that the calcification inhibitor OPG may influence aortic stiffening in atherosclerosis and in clinically healthy subjects.