background

Incidence of abdominal aorta

aortic aneurysm(AAA) is 60 per
1,000. Occurs frequently in
older man and are mostly
located inferior to the renal
arteries

Sonographic
Examination
Techniques
Pulsatile abdominal
mass, suspected or
know aortic iliac
aneurysm
Claudication
Decreased femoral
pulse or abdomen bruit
Emboli (blue toe
syndrome)
Suspected inflow
Follow up after
intervention.

Patient Preparation

Pati
Posi

Should fast overnight 8 to 12

hours. Minimizes scatter and
attenuation. Patient can take
morning medication with water.
Procedure should be explained
to patient and relative history
should be obtained.

Supi
with
head
elev
.
Nece
ry to
push
the
abdo
n to
bring
vess
into
view
Late
decu
s
posi
high
reso
n, lo
frequ
cy
tran
er lik
5 MH
curv
linea
and
MHz
sect
phas

Scanning Technique AAA

protocols- exam begins at the
level of celiac axis and extends
through bifurcation
Exam aorta and ilia arteries
with B mode
Normal aorta
Transverse image with
diameters(prox,mid,dist)
Diameters include AP and left
to right lateral dimension.
Longitudinal image with AP
diameters
Measurements are taken
perpendicular to vessels.
Important to note aneurysm
Also document (dissection,
pseudoaneurysm,stenosis )
Spectral Doppler peak systolic
volume
Scanning Techniques
Postintervention aortiliac
protocols:
Identification of the
treatments.
Stenosis are easier thant
occlusion
PTA
Starts should be evaluated
Doppler should be walked
Good doppler techniques
Tipically postintervention exam
(protocols)
Pitfalls
Abdominals exams limitation
that may prevents complete
exam.

Scanning Techniques preintervent

Aorta iliac protocols:
Ultrasound increasingly
Duplex assessment(focal,localization,
diamenters, severy stenosis disease v
occlusion
Indication might include claudication.
Comprehensive exam ( Ao, visceral
vessels, CIA,EIA,IIA)
Diameters measurements and velociti

Technical
consideration
Color flow assist
Iliac arteries are deep
and tortuos
Pay particular attention
to scale.

Diagnosis
Normal findings
Ao diameters <2cm
Smooth walls
High resistance
doppler signal
Ectasia
Diameter >3cm with
aneurysm
AAA (fusiform and
sacular)
Aorta and Iliac Arteries

Iliac arteries aneurysm complication

(rupture)
Wall defects
Dissection
stenosis