Clinical Context
A 68-year-old male with a history of smoking and hypertension is seen in the vascular lab for screening for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The patient reports no abdominal pain but has risk factors including male sex, age over 65, and prior tobacco use. The clinical workflow begins with a referral from the primary care provider or vascular specialist. The patient arrives at an outpatient vascular ultrasound facility or hospital radiology department. The sonographer documents history, explains the procedure risks and benefits, and performs a focused transabdominal ultrasound of the abdominal aorta from the diaphragmatic hiatus to the iliac bifurcation, obtaining transverse and longitudinal measurements, documenting maximal anterior–posterior diameter, and saving images. A interpreting physician (radiologist, vascular surgeon, or cardiologist) reviews the images, provides a formal report noting aorta size, presence of aneurysm or thrombus, and recommendations for surveillance or referral. Results are communicated to the referring clinician for follow-up management.
Related CPT Codes
| CPT Code | Description | Relationship to This Procedure |
|---|
76700 | Ultrasound, abdominal, real time with image documentation; complete | Performed when a comprehensive abdominal ultrasound is needed in addition to targeted aortic screening. |
76705 | Ultrasound, abdominal, limited or follow-up | Used when a focused limited abdominal ultrasound is required, for example, to follow a previously identified aortic abnormality.
93975 | Duplex scan of abdominal arteries (eg, renal, mesenteric) including evaluation of blood flow | Performed when additional arterial duplex evaluation is needed beyond aortic diameter, such as renal or mesenteric artery assessment.
93306 | Echocardiography, transthoracic, real-time with image documentation | May be performed in the same patient when broader cardiovascular assessment is indicated, though not the same anatomic region.
72195 | Computed tomography, abdomen and pelvis; without contrast material | Performed as a follow-up modality to further characterize an aneurysm or preoperative planning when ultrasound is inadequate.