AORTA

AORTA

Ultrasound of the aorta can help identify plaque (atherosclerosis), mesenteric ischemia and aortic aneurysms. Ultrasound scan is a quick, accurate and harmless way of detecting abdominal aortic aneurysms and assessing the risk of future rupture.

To prepare, you will be given a gown to wear or your abdomen will be draped with a sheet. The patient lies on their back on an examination bed. A water-soluble gel is applied to the skin to help the ultrasound transducer (wand) move smoothly over the skin and produce better images (at CURE Diagnostics we warm the gel before applying).  The sonographer will gently press the transducer on your abdomen and move it back and forth to image the aorta.  When blood flow is being assessed, you may hear a “whoosh, whoosh” sound when the Doppler probe is used.  Once the procedure has been completed, the gel will be wiped off.