Mesenteric artery duplex ultrasound
Mesenteric artery duplex is an ultrasound evaluation of the arteries that supply blood flow to the organs that are involved in food digestion. If there is not enough blood flow to help digest your food, you may feel abdominal pain or cramping after eating a meal.
This test is done while you are lying on your back. Ultrasound gel is placed over your abdominal area that allows the ultrasound signals to travel to the mesenteric arteries. The technologist will use a transducer over the gel to visualize the mesenteric arteries. The ultrasound waves will bounce off of the blood vessels and travel back to the transducer, which produces the image on the ultrasound machine.
The technologist can then visualize any area of narrowing in the artery and take measurements of the blood flow. You will hear a “swooshing” sound when the Doppler is turned on which represents your blood flow.
For this test you will be asked to avoid eating or drinking for 6-8 hours prior to the test or overnight prior to the day of the test.