What is The Test?
The abdominal aorta is the main vessel in your abdomen that pumps blood from your heart to your organs and your lower extremities. This exam uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of this vessel and gives information about the size of the artery and the blood flow through the artery.
Patient Preparation
There is nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours before your exam. We do understand that many of our patients are on medications and those are allowed but limited to taking with a minimal amount of water.
What to Expect
Once in the room, you will lie down on the exam table. The technologist will ask you to raise your shirt and warm gel will be applied to your abdomen. The technologist will use a transducer to send the ultrasound waves into your body. The ultrasound waves will produce a picture on the ultrasound machine that will allow the technologist to measure the vessel and check the blood flow through the vessel. The technologist will take several pictures during the exam and you may hear noises that sound like your heart beat as your blood flow is being assessed. You will feel nothing during the exam except for slight pressure as the probe is placed against your skin. The exam will take 30-45 minutes. After the exam is completed, our vascular specialist will review the information and the final results will be discussed with you at your follow up appointment.