Abdominal Aorta Ultrasound in Dayton OH

Abdominal Aorta Ultrasound An Overview

Heart health tests are a vital part of health evaluations in aging patients. An abdominal aorta ultrasound evaluates the rate of blood flow going through your aorta. Your physician will require this test to diagnose patients that are at risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The abdominal aorta ultrasound is a simple, cost-effective, painless, and non-invasive test. It is one of the most important heart and vascular services that the Buckeye Heart & Vascular Institute offers.

This common medical test uses ultrasound waves to produce diagnostic images of the aorta. The aorta pumps oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Contact the Buckeye Heart & Vascular Institute, or have your physician call us to schedule an abdominal aorta ultrasound today.

Why do you perform an abdominal aorta ultrasound?

An abdominal aorta ultrasound measures the size of the aorta and screens for abdominal aorta aneurysms. With an abdominal aorta ultrasound, a physician can closely monitor the aorta and assess a patient’s risk for aneurysm rupture.

Some patients are at a higher risk of an aneurysm, so a physician may recommend regular screening and testing to monitor the condition.

What are abdominal aortic aneurysms?

An aortic aneurysm happens when there is a weakening of the aortic vessel wall. This weakened area becomes enlarged and causes a reaction. These aneurysms develop over many years, so you might not experience immediate symptoms.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm symptoms can include:

A pulsating bulge in your abdomen
Severe and sudden pain in your abdomen
Severe and sudden pain in your back
Increased heart rate
Pain spreading from your abdomen or back to your pelvis, legs, or buttocks
Sweaty skin
Fainting; sudden loss of consciousness

Abdominal Aorta Ultrasound What to Expect

How do I prepare for an abdominal aorta ultrasound?

In most cases, your physician will ask you to fast 12 hours before your ultrasound. It can take between 30-60 minutes to complete the ultrasound exam. This requirement fully ensures that the images we take are clear and accurate.

Food and liquid in the abdomen can make it difficult for the technician to get a clear image of the aorta and surrounding area. If images come out blurry or out-of-focus, we may retake them for the most accurate results.

How is an abdominal aorta ultrasound done?

This procedure takes place in a hospital or the physician’s office. First, you may be asked to change into a gown to allow for proper access to the abdomen. You then lie on a medical exam table. Our technician will use a wand-like device called a transducer to take photos of your abdomen area.

This process is non-invasive and painless. We do not go into your body with the device. Our technician will apply gel to the transducer wand and carefully glide the transducer over your abdomen to produce images. The wand uses ultrasound waves to take photos and transfer them to a computer.

The technician will monitor the flow of blood through the aorta and assess the area for any abnormalities. Our physician examines the results from the ultrasound and determines if further testing or treatment is needed.

With hospital or self-pay billing, the ultrasound is $1,461.90. With insurance billing, it is $360. However, with our self-pay, this treatment is $222.

Abdominal Aorta Ultrasound FAQs

What can I eat or drink before an abdominal ultrasound?: Before an abdominal ultrasound, avoid eating heavy foods. Patients may eat a light breakfast before 8 am. Patients should also avoid fatty, fried, or dairy foods 24 hours before the procedure.
What does an abdominal aorta ultrasound show?: Abdominal aortic ultrasounds are done to view the inside of the abdomen. It looks for a weakened or bulging spot in a patient’s abdomen.
What happens if you need to urinate before an ultrasound?: Patients are advised not to urinate before an ultrasound. It is actually easier to see your uterus and ovaries with a full bladder. We will advise you during your visit.
How long does an abdominal aortic ultrasound take?: In general, an abdominal aortic ultrasound takes about 30 minutes to complete. Patients should expect their appointment to go at least an hour to account for waiting and changing times. It is common that we ask you to change into a hospital gown for your procedure, which may add to the total time you are in our office.
What happens when the abdominal aorta is blocked?: When the abdominal aorta is blocked, it shuts off blood flow, which may cause severe pain in the back or legs. Organ failure may occur within a few hours unless blood flow is restored.
Is abdominal aorta serious?: An abdominal aorta is not an extreme threat to health, but it can cause other issues that are, such as an aneurysm rupture. This causes extreme internal bleeding, which may be fatal. Statistics show that 8 in 10 people with an aneurysm rupture die before reaching the hospital, or do not make it through surgery. It is important to treat an abdominal aorta before more serious issues occur.

Abdominal Aorta Ultrasound Dayton, OH