Doppler Ultrasound of the abdominal aorta

What is a Doppler Ultrasound of the abdominal aorta?

An ultrasound of the abdominal aorta is a non-invasive, painless test that uses high-frequency sound waves to image the “aorta,” the main blood vessel leading away from the heart. This is performed in patients at risk for an aneurysm.

What can I expect the day of my test?

A vascular sonographer will perform the ultrasound exam.  The sonographer will ask you to lie on your back on an exam table. You will be asked to raise your shirt halfway up your torso and to move your pants down to the tops of your hips.  The sonographer will move a transducer around your abdomen to obtain images. The transducer will have a small amount of gel on the end of it. The gel used during the exam is water-soluble and easily washes off with soap and water.