Ultrasound can be used to assess the main vascular structures in the abdomen. The most common examination is to look for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA).

To find your aorta, start by placing the probe on the patients’ abdomen in transverse, just below the xiphoid process. You will see anechoic oval and circle, above a crescent shadow. These represent the IVC, Ao and Vertebra, respectively. Using firm pressure, slide probe downwards toward the umbilicus, at which you should see the Ao bifurcate into the Iliac arteries. Once found in transverse, try this motion while the probe is in the sagittal plane.

An aortic aneurysm is a focal dilation of the Aorta, and should be greater than 3.0 cm when measured from anterior to posterior.

The IVC is located just right of midline, and can be seen by the liver. It is best appreciated in the sagittal plane. Notice how the IVC is phasic, changing size with respiration. If you ask your patient to breathe in, or “sniff”, you should see the vessel collapse more than 50%, demonstrating a normal venous pressure.

Images:

http://reference.medscape.com/features/slideshow/ultrasound

http://www.sonosite.cn/clinical-media

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