Abstract
Peripheral artery disease (PAD), secondary to atherosclerotic disease, is currently
the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the western world. While PAD is common,
it is estimated that the majority of patients with PAD are undiagnosed and undertreated.
The challenge to the treatment of PAD is to accurately diagnose the symptoms and determine
treatment for each patient. The varied presentations of peripheral vascular disease
have led to numerous classification schemes throughout the literature. Consistent
grading of patients leads to both objective criteria for treating patients and a baseline
for clinical follow-up. Reproducible classification systems are also important in
clinical trials and when comparing medical, surgical, and endovascular treatment paradigms.
This article reviews the various classification systems for PAD and advantages to
each system.
Keywords
peripheral artery disease - chronic limb ischemia - acute limb ischemia - diabetic
foot ulcer - TASC II - Rutherford - interventional radiology
