An abdominal vascular ultrasound is recommended for patients with a family history of aortic aneurysms, those who have a smoking history or have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease.
Abdominal vascular ultrasound is performed to assess the main aorta and the main arteries including the renal (kidney) arteries that arise from the aorta. The main indication for abdominal vascular ultrasound is to diagnose an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is an enlargement of the aorta as it runs through the abdominal cavity and branches into the arteries that supply the legs.