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/ Scan Plane Label Key Landmarks Identified

Order
• Proximal aorta
AO SAG PROX • Celiac axis
• SMA
• Proximal aorta
• Celiac axis
AO SAG PROX
• SMA
• Measure AP diameter above the celiac axis
• Mid aorta
AO SAG MID
• SMA
Aorta Sagittal
• Mid aorta
AO SAG MID • SMA
• Measure AP diameter below the SMA
• Distal aorta as it tapers into bifurcation
AO SAG DIST
o Include either right or left iliac artery
• Distal aorta as it tapers into bifurcation
o Include either right or left iliac artery
AO SAG DIST
• Measure AP diameter above the bifurcation of the iliac artery
visualized
• Distal aorta
RT ILIAC SAG
Right • Proximal right iliac artery
Common Sagittal • Distal aorta
Iliac Artery RT ILIAC SAG • Proximal right iliac artery
• Measure AP diameter
• Distal aorta
LT ILIAC SAG
Left • Proximal left iliac artery
Common Sagittal • Distal aorta
Iliac Artery LT ILIAC SAG • Proximal left iliac artery
• Measure AP diameter
• Proximal aorta
AO TX PROX
o Note: Celiac artery then move superiorly
• Mid aorta
Aorta Transverse AO TX MID
• Renal arteries
• Distal aorta
AO TX DIST
o Note: Just superior to bifurcation
Common • Right iliac artery
Iliac Transverse ILIAC BIF TX • Left iliac artery
Arteries

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 Aorta Protocol

Normal Measurement Ranges

Structure Area of Interest Plane Measurement Comments
Aorta Proximal Sagittal 3 cm or less • Measured in AP dimension
• Measurements taken perpendicular to the
axis of the lumen
Mid 2.0-2.5 cm • Calipers placed on outer edges of walls so
that walls are included in the measurement
• Aorta should taper as you move distally
Distal 1.5-2.0 cm
• Additional measurements are performed if
Iliac Artery Proximal (Right 1.5 cm or less abnormalities are suspected
and Left)


Common Laboratory Values to be Reviewed prior to Examination

Lab Value Organ Level Indication or Association
Hematocrit • Aorta Decreased • 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

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