The Fontaine Classification for Chronic Ischaemia

The Fontaine Classification is the scheme by which chronic peripheral ischaemia is classified.

It is useful in the team situation, to standardise investigation and treatment.

The original classification is as follows:

Stage 1	No symptoms
Stage 2	Intermittent claudication subdivided into:-
2a	without pain on resting, but with claudication at a distance of greater than 200 metres
2b	without pain on resting, but with a claudication distance of less than 200 metres
Stage 3	Nocturnal and / or resting pain
Stage 4	Necrosis (death of tissue) and/ or gangrene in the limb

This classification has been further updated to differentiate between mild, moderate and severe claudication and minor and major tissue loss.

Amended April 2008