Abdominal Duplex Ultrasound Offered in Baltimore

The Vascular Center at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland, offers comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of circulatory system conditions. The Center’s nationally accredited Vascular Laboratory allows our vascular specialists to provide a variety of tests including abdominal duplex.

What is an Abdominal Duplex Ultrasound?

A duplex ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging test that vascular physicians prescribe to see how blood is moving through arteries and veins. It combines the imaging capability of ultrasound with the recording capability of a Doppler ultrasound. A duplex ultrasound can also identify the width of a blood vessel and reveal blockages. For abdominal scans, it examines the blood vessels and flow in the abdomen area to identify any potential blockages, narrowing of vessels or aneurysms.

How is an Abdominal Duplex Ultrasound performed?

An abdominal duplex ultrasound is performed by a technologist who has been specially trained. A gel substance is placed on the skin of the area being evaluated and a small probe is rubbed over the area to obtain the images. The images are always reviewed by a vascular surgeon. Abdominal Duplex ultrasounds require that the patient not eat or drink for 12 hours prior to the test.