Pulse-wave Doppler interrogation of the abdominal aorta: A window to the left heart and vasculature

Abstract

Systematic imaging of the abdominal aorta during transthoracic echocardiography is advocated as a useful screening tool for aortic aneurysms. The addition of pulse Doppler interrogation to the two-dimensional imaging can be highly valuable and provides incremental hemodynamic information regarding a wide spectrum of diseases that involve the left heart, aorta, and vasculature. In this manuscript, we review the usefulness of pulse Doppler recording of the abdominal aorta and provide case examples of its value in various disease states. © 2014, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.