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Myocardial calcification is a manifestation of either metastatic or dystrophic calcium deposition in the myocardium. Dystrophic calcification of the myocardium is most commonly seen in long-term survivors of substantial myocardial infarctions. Current literature has reported only 3 cases of myocardial calcification with normal coronary arteries. We present a case of an 80-year-old woman with multiple admissions over a 5-year period for congestive heart failure. She was found to have a normal left ventricular ejection fraction and normal coronary arteries on left heart catheterization. A high resolution computed tomography (CT) study of the chest revealed extensive left ventricular myocardial calcifications, which were not present 4 years earlier on CT. The patient's history and clinical presentation revealed no etiologic factors for her calcified myocardium.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a prevalent, chronic, and progressive atherosclerotic disease process involving the conduit vessels of the extremities. Most patients who present with objective signs of PAD are asymptomatic. These patients are at an increased risk of dying from cardiovascular events. Lipid management is the mainstay of risk-factor modification for patients with cardiovascular disease. Some evidence suggests that hypocholesterolemic drugs may halt the progression of atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease. More recently, treatment with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) inhibitors have demonstrated improved function in patients with symptomatic peripheral vascular disease. This paper reviews the role of lipid therapy in patients with peripheral arterial disease with focus on functional improvement and symptomatic relief based on the available data.

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