Fontaine Classification of Peripheral Arterial Disease
Four-stage European staging of chronic lower-limb ischaemia (Fontaine 1954). Complements Rutherford. Used in ESVS guidance.
Score interpretation
→ Modify cardiovascular risk: smoking cessation, statin, antiplatelet (clopidogrel preferred), BP and glycaemic control.
→ Best medical therapy + supervised exercise programme (NICE CG147). Endovascular revascularisation if lifestyle-limiting after ≥3 months.
→ Urgent vascular referral (≤2 weeks per ESVS 2024). ABPI/TBI, duplex, CTA. Revascularisation; analgesia; wound care; consider WIfI staging and amputation MDT if unsalvageable.
Interpretation bands for the Fontaine PAD. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Naftidrofuryl Oxalate · 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonist — Peripheral Arterial Disease (Intermittent Claudication)
- Alteplase (Peripheral Arterial / DVT Use) · Thrombolytic — Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis / Peripheral Arterial Occlusion
- Amlodipine · Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker — Raynaud's / Peripheral Vascular Disease / Hypertension
- Streptokinase · Thrombolytic — Peripheral Arterial Occlusion / DVT (Historical)
- Selexipag · Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
- Macitentan · Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.