The Vascular Lab at Lexington Surgeons

An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge in a blood vessel caused by weakening of the wall. An aortic aneurysm occurs in the main artery carrying blood from the heart to other parts of the body. The larger the size of the aneurysm, the higher the risk that it will rupture. Rupture usually results in death. An Aortic Duplex Ultrasound detects and measures the size of aneurysms.

In this examination, gel is applied to the skin of the abdomen. A transducer (a handheld device) is then used to scan the aorta. The transducer sends high-frequency sound waves into the abdomen that bounce off the aorta. The images of the aorta are then evaluated to detect the presence of an aneurysm and measure its size, which determines the appropriate treatment.