ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Lower Extremity Arterial Claudication-Imaging Assessment for Revascularization: 2022 Update

Abstract

Arterial claudication is a common manifestation of peripheral artery disease. This document focuses on necessary imaging before revascularization for claudication. Appropriate use of ultrasound, invasive arteriography, MR angiography, and CT angiography are discussed. The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

Keywords: AUC; Angiography; Appropriate Use Criteria; Appropriateness Criteria; CT angiography (CTA); Claudication; MR angiography (MRA); Peripheral artery disease; Ultrasound.