Acronym

PSV - Peak Systolic Velocity

Peak Systolic Velocity

Maximum blood velocity during systole on Doppler ultrasound

Expansion

Peak Systolic Velocity

Purpose

Assesses flow and stenosis severity

Clinical Context

Peak systolic velocity increases with stenosis severity. Carotid duplex shows peak systolic velocity 125 to 230 centimetres per second and end diastolic velocity 40 to 100 centimetres per second suggesting 50 to 69 percent stenosis.

  • EDV
  • Doppler velocities

Key Points

  • High peak systolic velocity suggests stenosis; carotid greater than 125 centimetres per second and greater than 50 percent stenosis, renal greater than 180 centimetres per second equals severe stenosis