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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
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An Approach to Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta
Published on: September 8, 2023
Abdominal aorta screening during transthoracic echocardiography
Farideh Roshanali1, Mohammad Hossein Mandegar, Mohammad Ali Yousefnia
1Day General Hospital, Tehran, Iran. farideh_roshanali@yahoo.com
Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
|July 27, 2007
Summary
Routine transthoracic echocardiography can effectively screen for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). This quick ultrasound extension identifies AAA prevalence, especially in older patients, aiding early detection and surgical referral.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Vascular Ultrasound
- Diagnostic Echocardiography
Background:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a significant vascular condition.
- Early detection of AAA is crucial for patient outcomes.
- Transthoracic echocardiography is a common diagnostic tool.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a modified abdominal ultrasound as an extension of transthoracic echocardiography.
- To assess the feasibility and accuracy of identifying abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) using this method.
- To determine the prevalence of AAA in a routine echocardiography patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted over six months.
- A modified abdominal ultrasound was integrated into routine transthoracic echocardiography.
- The maximum diameter of the abdominal aorta was measured.
Main Results:
- The abdominal aorta was visualized in 91.4% of 1285 patients.
- The prevalence of AAA was 3.8% (45/1175), increasing with age.
- Six patients with AAA >5 cm were referred for surgery; associated cardiac findings included hypertrophy and dilatation.
Conclusions:
- Routine screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms during transthoracic echocardiography is recommended.
- This approach is effective for identifying AAA in unselected, particularly older, patient populations.
- The modified ultrasound technique is a simple, safe, and accurate method for AAA detection.
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