Rutherford Classification: Explanation and Clinical Context Rutherford Classification is a widely accepted system for grading the severity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). It stratifies patients from stage 0 (asymptomatic) to stage 6 (major tissue loss), incorporating claudication severity, presence of rest pain, and degree of tissue loss.
Stage 0 represents no symptoms, stages 1-3 correspond to increasing severity of claudication, stage 4 indicates ischemic rest pain, stage 5 represents minor tissue loss (e.g., ulcers or partial gangrene), and stage 6 indicates major tissue loss.
This classification assists clinicians in decision-making regarding conservative management, endovascular or surgical intervention, and risk stratification for limb loss.
Reference:
Rutherford RB, et al. "Recommended standards for reports dealing with lower extremity ischemia: Revised version." J Vasc Surg. 1997;26:517-538. doi:10.1016/S0741-5214(97)70070-6