Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
What is an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm?
The aorta is the main artery in the body that brings oxygenated blood from the heart to all organs. An abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) is a condition when an area of the lower part of the aorta becomes enlarged. If the aorta ruptures, this can cause life-threatening internal bleeding. An AAA is often asymptomatic and can gradually grow for a long period of time undetected. Males over 65 years old, current or previous smokers, and those with a family history of AAA have an increased risk.
Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound is a painless diagnostic imaging test performed that is commonly used to diagnose an abdominal aortic aneurism. During the test, the ultrasound technician guides a small hand-held device called a transducer over the abdomen where the aorta is located. The transducer emits high frequency sound waves that echo off the organs and internal structures in the abdomen, including the aorta, and convert into images on a computer screen. Combined with Doppler technology, the speed and direction of the blood flow through the abdominal organs and structures can also be assessed.
