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Arterial occlusion is the blockage of an artery, severely restricting or stopping blood flow. This critical vascular condition often results from atherosclerosis, where plaque buildup narrows the artery, or from an embolus (traveling clot) or thrombus (stationary clot). Acute occlusions lead to ischemia, potentially causing tissue damage, organ dysfunction, or limb loss if not promptly…

Peak systolic velocity (PSV) is a crucial measurement in vascular ultrasound, representing the maximum speed of blood flow within a vessel during systole, the heart's contraction phase. This key parameter helps diagnose and quantify arterial stenosis, where narrowing of a vessel restricts blood flow. High PSV values often indicate significant blockages, guiding further medical assessment…

Spontaneous flow in vascular ultrasound refers to blood movement detected without external provocation, critical for assessing vessel patency and identifying abnormalities. This intrinsic flow helps diagnose conditions like deep vein thrombosis or arterial occlusion by confirming blood presence and direction, even in the absence of induced maneuvers. Understanding spontaneous flow is vital for accurate vascular…

End-diastolic velocity (EDV) in vascular ultrasound refers to the speed of blood flow measured at the end of the heart's relaxation phase (diastole). This crucial parameter helps assess peripheral artery disease, venous insufficiency, and other vascular conditions. Lower EDV can indicate distal arterial occlusion or high resistance, while higher EDV may suggest compensatory flow. Accurate…

A triphasic waveform in vascular ultrasound indicates healthy arterial blood flow, characterized by three distinct phases: rapid forward flow during systole, transient flow reversal in early diastole, and a second brief forward flow component in late diastole. This pulsatile pattern is commonly seen in peripheral arteries, reflecting a high-resistance vascular bed with competent arterial walls.…

The resistive index (RI) is a Doppler ultrasound measurement used in vascular studies to assess downstream vascular resistance. It quantifies the pulsatility of blood flow, calculated as (peak systolic velocity - end-diastolic velocity) / peak systolic velocity. A higher RI value indicates increased resistance, which can signify conditions like arterial stenosis or downstream obstruction, impacting…

In vascular ultrasound, a biphasic waveform is a crucial Doppler flow pattern indicating healthy arterial blood flow. This waveform typically presents with two distinct phases: an initial strong antegrade (forward) flow during systole, followed by a brief, transient reversal of flow in early diastole. This characteristic pattern is indicative of a normal, elastic arterial system…

The Pulsatility Index (PI) is a key metric in vascular ultrasound, quantifying the degree of pulsatility in blood flow. It's calculated as the peak systolic velocity minus the end diastolic velocity, divided by the mean velocity. A higher PI indicates more pulsatile flow, often seen in arteries with less resistance downstream, while a lower PI…

In vascular ultrasound, a monophasic waveform describes a Doppler signal exhibiting a single phase of flow, often indicating significant arterial disease. This pattern lacks the characteristic triphasic or biphasic components of healthy vessels, where blood flow reverses during diastole. Its presence suggests severe stenosis or occlusion, as the vessel struggles to maintain adequate distal perfusion,…