If a patient presents with erectile dysfunction, what can one assess on Doppler US to evaluate for potential causes?
Doppler US can be used to assess the blood flow within the cavernosal arteries of the penis. Following administration of a vasodilator to induce erection, the normal average peak systolic velocity (PSV) is >30 cm/second, and no diastolic blood flow is seen. If the cavernosal arterial PSV is <25 cm/second, then arterial insufficiency may be the underlying cause. If the cavernosal arterial diastolic velocity is >5 cm/second, then venous insufficiency is suggested as the underlying cause.
