Aorta

Ultrasound of the aorta is essential learning for all emergency medicine physicians. Not only does it rapidly and reliably identify AAAs, EM physicians have actually been sued for failure to perform an ultrasound of the aorta in a timely fashion. Please review the below video!

AORTA Minimal Imaging Criteria

When performing ultrasound the Aorta please obtain the following images or clips:

  1. Transverse proximal at SMA with measurement

  2. Transverse mid with measurement

  3. Transverse distal with measurement

  4. Transverse iliac bifurcation with measurement

  5. Sagittal aorta

Note: The normal diameter of the aorta is < 3cm and < 1.5cm after the bifurcation into the iliacs. You should measure outer wall to outer wall in the anterior-posterior diameter.