Promoting an increased awareness and standardized approaches in diagnosing and treating peripheral artery disease

PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE (PAD)

Claudication Including Claudication Assessments

The diverse clinical presentations have led to numerous classification systems for assessment of symptoms in PAD. These classifications aim to provide consistent grading of patients to provide an objective criterion for planning management and a baseline for subsequent follow-up. The Rutherford and Fontaine classifications are commonly used for assessment of severity of PAD.

The Rutherford classification is shown in Table 2 (13). The Fontaine classification is shown in Table 3 (14).

References

13.  Rutherford RB, Baker JD, Ernst C, et al. Recommended standards for reports dealing with lower extremity ischemia: revised version. J Vasc Surg 1997; 26:517–38.

14. Fontaine R, Kim M, Kieny R. Surgical treatment of peripheral circulation disorders [article in German]. Helv Chir Acta 1954; 21: 499–533.