Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: AAA

An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is an enlarged area in the lower part of the major vessel that supplies blood to the body (Aorta). The Aorta runs from the heart through the center of the chest and abdomen.  

The Aorta, the largest artery in the body, is a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart. It originates just after the aortic valve connected to the left side of the heart and extends through the entire chest and abdomen.

The portion of the aorta that lies deep inside the abdomen, right in front of the spine, is called the abdominal aorta. An Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA, or “Triple A”) occurs when this type of vessel weakening happens in the portion of the aorta that runs through the abdomen.

abdominal aortic aneurysm Scheme

Since it is the largest blood vessel in the body, a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm can cause life-threatening bleeding.

AAA has few noticeable symptoms. Hence, comes in the ultrasound scanning a highly accurate way to measure the size of an aneurysm. 

Which ultrasound scanner is used for abdominal aortic aneurysm assessement?

A physician may use the Doppler ultrasound SIFULTRAS-5.34 to examine blood flow through the aorta.  Portable ultrasound scanners can quickly and accurately identify an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm when performed by appropriately trained emergency medicine providers.    

Moreover, it is the leading modality in monitoring the AAA throughout a period that usually goes up to 12 months.

Ultrasound imaging of the aorta is useful for measuring its size to screen for AAA. In addition to screening, ultrasound is also a useful tool after the diagnosis of AAA to monitor its size on a regular basis to see if it needs to be repaired.

This ultrasound shows normal anatomy of the aorta in short axis. Criteria for making the diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm include the following: focal dilatation of the abdominal aorta >3.0 cm; increase in the aortic diameter to 1.5 times the normal expected diameter; and ratio of infrarenal to suprarenal aortic diameter ≥1.2.

There may be variations in measurement of the aneurysm size depending on technique. The aneurysmal sac should be measured from outer wall to outer wall with a longitudinal image. The transverse diameter should be measured perpendicular to the long axis of the aorta.

Emergency bedside ultrasound (shown) can quickly and accurately identify an abdominal aortic aneurysm when performed by appropriately trained emergency medicine providers

Refrences: Ultrasound Assessment of Triple A , Ultrasound Assessment of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

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Although the information we provide is used but doctors, radiologists, medical staff to perform their procedures, clinical applications, the Information contained in this article is for consideration only. We can’t be responsible for misuse of the device nor for the device suitability with each clinical application or procedure mentioned in this article.
Doctors, radiologists or medical staff must have the proper training and skills to perform the procedure with each ultrasound scanner device
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