title: Overview of classification systems in peripheral artery disease.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: Rulon L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hardman
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado ; Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: Omid
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Jazaeri
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: Rajan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gupta
keywords: Rutherford; TASC II; acute limb ischemia; chronic limb ischemia; diabetic foot ulcer; interventional radiology; peripheral artery disease