Aorta Protocol



This protocol includes images of the aorta and common iliac arteries
You must always evaluate the entire vessel first before you store an image
You should understand completely why you stored the image and identify everything in the image
Organ/
Order
Scan Plane
Label
AO SAG PROX
AO SAG PROX
AO SAG MID
Aorta
Sagittal
AO SAG MID
AO SAG DISTAL
Key Landmarks Identified














AO SAG DISTAL
Right
Common
Iliac Artery
Left
Common
Iliac Artery
RT ILIAC SAG
Sagittal
RT ILIAC SAG
LT ILIAC SAG
Sagittal
LT ILIAC SAG
AO TX PROX
Aorta
Transverse
AO TX MID
AO TX DISTAL
Common
Iliac
Arteries
Transverse
ILIAC BIF TX
AK\backup\Abdomen I\Protocols

















Proximal aorta
Celiac axis
SMA
Proximal aorta
Celiac axis
SMA
Measure AP diameter above the celiac axis
Mid aorta
SMA
Mid aorta
SMA
Measure AP diameter below the SMA
Distal aorta as it tapers into bifurcation
o Include either right or left iliac artery
Distal aorta as it tapers into bifurcation
o Include either right or left iliac artery
Measure AP diameter above the bifurcation of the iliac artery
visualized
Distal aorta
Proximal right iliac artery
Distal aorta
Proximal right iliac artery
Measure AP diameter
Distal aorta
Proximal left iliac artery
Distal aorta
Proximal left iliac artery
Measure AP diameter
Proximal aorta
o Note: Celiac artery then move superiorly
Mid aorta
Renal arteries
Distal aorta
o Note: Just superior to bifurcation
Right iliac artery
Left iliac artery
Aorta Protocol
Normal Measurement Ranges
Structure
Aorta
Iliac Artery
Area of Interest
Proximal
Plane
Sagittal
Measurement
3 cm or less
Mid
2.0-2.5 cm
Distal
Proximal (Right
and Left)
1.5-2.0 cm
1.5 cm or less





Comments
Measured in AP dimension
Measurements taken perpendicular to the
axis of the lumen
Calipers placed on outer edges of walls so
that walls are included in the measurement
Aorta should taper as you move distally
Additional measurements are performed if
abnormalities are suspected
Common Laboratory Values to be Reviewed prior to Examination
Lab Value
Hematocrit

Organ
Aorta
Level
Decreased

Indication or Association
Aortic rupture, bleeding, hemorrhage, etc.

Color and Spectral Doppler
o May be used to assess patency and document flow disturbances
o Color should be free of aliasing and extend to vessel walls
o High resistive spectral tracing
 Biphasic above the renal arteries
 Triphasic below the renal arteries
 Angle correct should be 60 degrees or less
 PSV range from 60-100 cm/s above the renal arteries, with slightly lower velocities below the
renal arteries

Pathology Seen
o Gray scale sagittal and transverse images
o If aneurysm suspected
 Measure transverse aorta from outer wall to outer wall (this measurement is perpendicular to your
AP measurement)
 Document location in relation to renal and iliac arteries
 Use color Doppler to assess thrombus formation
 Use spectral Doppler to show patency
o If dissection suspected
 Demonstrate beginning and end of intimal flap (may not be able to follow it all the way superiorly if
it originated in thoracic aorta)
 Demonstrate any branch vessel involvement
 Use color and spectral Doppler to document true and false lumens
AK\backup\Abdomen I\Protocols
AK\backup\Abdomen I\Protocols