Fontaine Classification

Fontaine R, Kim M, Kieny R. Die chirurgische Behandlung der peripheren Durchblutungsstörungen (Surgical treatment of peripheral circulation disorders). Described the four-stage clinical classification of chronic lower-limb arterial insufficiency; stage II was later subdivided into IIa and IIb by walking distance.

The Rutherford categories (0–6) are the parallel classification used mainly in vascular surgery. ESC/ESVS and AHA/ACC peripheral arterial disease guidelines recommend confirming the diagnosis and severity objectively (ankle–brachial index, toe pressures, duplex/CT/MR angiography) and reserve the term chronic limb-threatening ischaemia for rest pain or tissue loss (Fontaine III–IV) with corroborating haemodynamics.