Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound Specialist
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Perloff Cardiovascular Care
Cardiology located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. At Perloff Cardiovascular Care, David Perloff, MD, PA, uses abdominal aortic ultrasound testing to quickly diagnose your risk factors for an aortic aneurysm. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, office is fully equipped with the latest diagnostic ultrasound technology, so Dr. Perloff can determine whether you need treatment. Call Perloff Cardiovascular Care today to schedule an abdominal aortic ultrasound, or book an appointment online.
Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound Q&A
What is an abdominal aortic ultrasound?
An abdominal aortic ultrasound is a noninvasive, diagnostic test to evaluate your aorta, the main blood vessel that carries blood away from your heart.
Typically, an abdominal aortic ultrasound is necessary if you have risk factors for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This type of aneurysm describes an enlargement in the aorta when the walls of the vessel weaken. This weakening increases your risk for an aneurysm or rupture, which can cause life-threatening internal bleeding and other serious complications.
Dr. Perloff may also recommend an abdominal aortic ultrasound as a preventive screening tool for men who have risk factors for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, are between 65 and 75, and who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their life.
What happens during an abdominal aortic ultrasound?
An abdominal aortic ultrasound typically takes about 30 minutes and requires no anesthesia or invasive procedures.
During your abdominal aortic ultrasound, you lie comfortably on an exam table. Dr. Perloff applies a gel to your abdomen before placing a handheld transducer over the area.
The transducer sends high-frequency sound waves through your skin. These sound waves bounce off your internal structures and generate images of your aorta on an external monitor.
This test generally takes about 30 minutes to complete. You can expect to resume your usual activities without limitations immediately after your appointment.
How long does it take to get the results of an abdominal aortic ultrasound?
An abdominal aortic ultrasound provides real-time information about the size and health of your aorta. Dr. Perloff carefully reviews the results of your testing during your appointment.
If there’s no evidence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, you likely won’t need any additional testing.
Dr. Perloff may request more diagnostic tests if you have risk factors for or signs of an aortic aneurysm, such as weakening in the aortic walls or an aorta that’s growing larger. In some cases, you might need immediate surgery to prevent an aneurysm, depending on the health of your aorta.
To learn more about the diagnostic benefits of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, call Perloff Cardiovascular Care or book a consultation online today.
