980-86 Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound: A Comparison Between Transabdominal and Transgastric Approaches

Abstract

Transgastric ultrasound may allow enhanced resolution of the abdominal aorta and branches. This study compares the morphological findings of abdominal aortic angiography andlor CT with results of transabdominal and transgastric two-dimensional (2D) and Doppler ultrasound. In 11 patients with abdominal aortic and/or renal artery disease (average age 63 yrs; range 43–75 yrs), preoperative angiography and/or CT, and transabdominal ultrasound was performed followed by transgastric ultrasound. Transgastric ultrasound was performed by manually plating a transesophageal transducer upon the abdominal aorta during reparative surgery. Empty CellAngiography andlor CTTransabdominal UltrasoundTransgastric Ultrasoundn = patientsAorta visualized111011Aortic Aneurysm888Aortic PlaquelThrombus7711Dissection Flap202n = vesselsRenal Arteries Visualized22622Renal Artery Obstruction303 This study suggests that transgastric ultrasound offers better visualization of the abdominal aorta and renal artery branches than transabdominal ultrasound. Imagery may be at least as accurate as that obtained with angiography or CT. Fiberoptic guidance for a transesophageal transducer may allow routine abdominal aorta and renal artery imaging from the transgastric approach and reduce the need for angiography or CT.