Background: Arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of vascular morbidity and mortality in the general population and in high-risk patients. Angiographic score (ASc) is closely related to the extent of atherosclerosis in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Osteopontin (OPN) is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between arterial stiffness, ASc, and serum OPN in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.

Methods: Seventy-nine male patients with symptomatic PAD (mean age 64±7 years) were included into this study. The diagnosis of PAD was confirmed by ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) and digital subtraction angiography. Calculation of the ASc was based on the severity and location of atherosclerotic lesions in the lower extremity arteries. Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) was evaluated by applanation tonometry using the Sphygmocor device. OPN level was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: The aPWV was significantly correlated with ASc (r=0.35, p=0.002), OPN (r=0.34, p=0.004), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (r=−0.36, p=0.002), age (r=0.4, p<0.001), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (r=0.24, p=0.04). In multivariate analysis, aPWV was independently associated with ASc, OPN, MAP and eGFR (R²=0.43, p<0.001). Serum OPN was inversely correlated with ABPI (r=−0.26, p=0.045) but not with ASc.

Conclusion: In patients with symptomatic PAD, arterial stiffness is independently associated with the severity grade of atherosclerotic disease and serum OPN levels. These results suggest that aPWV might serve as a useful clinical marker of atherosclerosis in patients with PAD.