Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound: How is it peformed?

Abdominal aortic ultrasound is a non – invasive imaging technique used to examine the abdominal aorta. It is generally done to diagnose aortic aneurysms, blood clots, and narrowing of the blood vessels.

High–frequency sound waves are employed to detect any structural abnormalities in the aorta and assess the blood flow through them.

How is Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound performed? :

Abdominal ultrasound - Mayo Clinic

The patient will be asked to lie face–up with the back on the examination table. He/she is instructed to lift the shirt halfway up the torso to expose the abdomen. (Image credit)

Sometimes, the patient may be asked to change into a hospital gown. The technician applies an ultrasound gel on the patient’s skin to help the transducer slide across the abdomen.

The handheld transducer (probe) is then moved against the abdomen. It is slowly passed along the aortic artery and produces sound waves that bounce off the blood vessels. These echoes are received by the probe and sent to a computer to convert them to pictures.

The technician will finally see the images of the artery and surrounding structures on the screen. The gel is usually water-soluble and can be washed off with soap and water after completing the test.

Are there any risks involved in it?

The abdominal aortic ultrasound is a safe procedure that has no risks associated with it. The patient may feel the transducer’s pressure on the abdomen, but this causes no significant discomfort during the test.

FAQs: Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound

What are preparations required from the patient? The patient is asked to not eat or drink for 6 hours before the test and avoid smoking and eating chewing gums on the day of the test. He/she can eat a low–fat diet such as fruit or juice if they are diabetic or unable to fast. You must also avoid dairy products, carbonated beverages, and caffeinated drinks before the test. The patient is generally advised to empty the bladder before the test.

How long does it take? It takes around 30 to 45 minutes to complete abdominal aortic ultrasound.  

Who performs it?  This ultrasound is performed by a vascular sonographer or ultrasound technician.

How much does it cost? It costs around Rs. 700 to 4K to get the abdominal aortic ultrasound done in India.

When can I go home after the procedure? The patient is generally allowed to go home and resume the daily activities immediately after the test.

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