SVS/ISCVS Grading System for Peripheral Artery Disease: Explanation and Clinical Context The SVS/ISCVS grading system provides a standardized framework for assessing the severity of lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD), particularly in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI).
It incorporates key clinical parameters including rest pain, presence of ulceration, gangrene, and ankle-brachial index (ABI) values to stratify patients into four grades: Grade 0 (no critical ischemia), Grade 1 (mild ischemia with rest pain), Grade 2 (moderate ischemia with non-healing ulcer), and Grade 3 (severe ischemia with gangrene or very low ABI).
This system aids clinicians in decision-making regarding conservative management, endovascular interventions, or surgical revascularization, as well as in predicting the risk of limb loss.
Reference:
Conte MS, Bradbury AW, Kolh P, et al. Global vascular guidelines on the management of chronic limb-threatening ischemia. J Vasc Surg. 2019;69(6S):3S-125S. doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2019.02.016