CLASSIFICATION SCHEME FOR

ACUTE LIMB ISCHEMIA

-from the Society of Vascular Surgery/International Society of Cardiovascular Surgery
(Rutherford et al, 1997)

Class Category Prognosis Sensory Muscle Arterial Venous

loss weakness Doppler Doppler
I Viable No None None Audible Audible
immediate
limb threat
IIA Threatened: Salvageable Minimal- None +/- Audible
marginal if treated none Audible
promptly
IIB Threatened: Salvageable More than Mild- Rare Audible
Immediate if treated just toes moderate audible
immediately
III Irreversible Limb loss Profound Profound None None
or
permanent
damage

1. Usually thrombotic occlusions are class I or IIA and are treated with intra-arterial
thrombolysis if symptom duration <14 days (especially if bypass graft occlusion) and if
patient has significant co-morbidities/high operative risk.

2. Usually embolic occlusions are class IIB or III. They usually require surgery as
thrombolytics take effect too slowly.