Arterial calcification due to deficiency of CD73, or ACDC, is a rare, adult-onset vascular disorder. People with ACDC have calcium build-up in the large vessels (mainly below the waist) and in the joints of the hands and feet. Signs and symptoms may include progressive pain and cramping in the calves, thighs, buttocks, feet, and/or hands. The age of onset has been reported as early as the second decade of life. ACDC is caused by mutations in the NT5E gene and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.

We are unaware of published diagnostic criteria for ACDC. However, in the past, a diagnosis of ACDC has been made by a combination of a thorough medical evaluation and genetic test results. Medical evaluations of people diagnosed with ACDC have ruled out other causes of leg and joint discomfort, such as rheumatoid arthritis or other joint-related problems. MRIs and x-rays of the vasculature of those affected have indicated calcium deposits in artery walls. Genetic testing in an affected person would identify mutations in the NT5E gene, which are the underlying genetic cause of ACDC.