PSV

Medical abbreviation · Respiratory

PSV
Stands forPressure support ventilation
CategoriesMedical

PSV stands for Pressure support ventilation, a respiratory abbreviation.

Spontaneous ventilator mode in which every breath is started by the patient and boosted by a set inspiratory pressure, with the patient controlling breathing rate, breath length and volume. It is used for weaning and for comfortable support in patients with an intact drive to breathe.

Example: Tolerating PSV 8/PEEP 5 for 60 minutes, RSBI 62; extubate to nasal cannula.

Usage notes

There is no backup rate, so apnea alarms and backup settings are essential if the patient stops breathing. Low-level pressure support, commonly 5 to 8 cm H2O with PEEP 5, is a standard way to perform a spontaneous breathing trial. Also called pressure support (PS) or CPAP with pressure support.

More respiratory abbreviations

  • PIP – Peak inspiratory pressure
  • PNA – Pneumonia
  • PND – Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
  • Pplat – Plateau pressure
  • PRVC – Pressure-regulated volume control
  • PSG – Polysomnography
  • PTX – Pneumothorax
  • RAD – Reactive airway disease
  • RDI – Respiratory disturbance index
  • RDS – Respiratory distress syndrome
  • RLL – Right lower lobe
  • RML – Right middle lobe

See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.