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View Printable VersionMR Angiography (MRA)
- What is MR Angiography?
- What are some common uses of the procedure?
- How should I prepare for the procedure?
- How does the procedure work?
- How is the procedure performed?
- Who interprets the results and how do I get them?
- What are the benefits vs. risks?
- What are the limitations of MR Angiography?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MR Angiography?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a method of producing extremely detailed pictures of body tissues and organs without the need for x-rays. The electromagnetic energy that is released when exposing a patient to radio waves in a strong magnetic field is measured and analyzed by a computer, which forms two- or three-dimensional images that may be viewed on a TV monitor. MR angiography (MRA) is an MRI study of the blood vessels. It utilizes MRI technology to detect, diagnose and aid the treatment of heart disorders, stroke and blood vessel diseases. MRA provides detailed images of blood vessels without using any contrast material, although today a special form of contrast usually is given to make the MRI images even clearer. The procedure is painless, and the magnetic field is not known to cause tissue damage of any kind.
What are some common uses of the procedure?
- Many patients with arterial disease now have it treated in the radiology department rather than undergoing surgery in an operating room. MRA is a very useful way of finding problems with blood vessels and determining how to best to treat those problems.
- The carotid arteries in the neck that conduct blood to the brain are a common site of atherosclerosis, which may severely narrow or block off an artery, reducing blood flow to the brain and even causing a stroke. If an ultrasound study shows that such disease is present, many surgeons now will do the necessary operation after confirmation by MRA, dispensing with the need for catheter angiography.
- MRA has found wide use in checking patients for diseased intracranial (in the head) arteries, so that only those with positive findings will need to have a more invasive catheter study.
- MRA also is used to detect disease in the aorta and in blood vessels supplying the kidneys, lungs and legs.
- Patients with a family history of arterial aneurysm, a ballooning out of a segment of the vessel wall, can be screened by MRA to see if they have a similar disorder that has not produced symptoms. If an aneurysm is found, it may be eliminated surgically, possibly avoiding serious or fatal bleeding.
How should I prepare for the procedure?
Preparation for this exam is the same as that for any other MRI procedure. Please see the MRI section for more information.
How does the procedure work?
Exposing the patient to radio waves in a strong magnetic field generates data that are used by a computer to create images of tissue slices that may be viewed in any plane or from any direction. The magnetic field lines up atomic particles called protons in the tissues, which are then spun by a beam of radio waves and produce signals that are picked up by a receiver in the scanner. It is these signals that are processed by the computer to produce images. The resulting images are very sharp and detailed, and so are able to detect tiny changes from the normal pattern that are caused by disease or injury. Special settings are used to image various structures, such as arteries in the case of MRA.
How is the procedure performed?
The patient is placed on a special table and positioned inside the opening of the MRI unit. A typical exam consists of two to six imaging sequences, each taking two to 15 minutes. Each sequence provides a specific image orientation and a specified degree of image clarity or contrast. Depending on the type of exam being done, the total time needed can range from 10 to 60 minutes, not counting the time needed to change clothing, have an IV put in, and answer questions. When contrast material is needed, a substance called gadolinium is given by IV injection during one of the imaging sequences. It highlights blood vessels, making them stand out from surrounding tissues.
The radiologist and technologist leave the examining room during the actual imaging process, but the patient can communicate with them at any time using an intercom. We allow you to have a friend stay nearby, or a parent if a child is being examined. When the exam is completed you will be asked to wait to make sure that more images are not needed.
Who interprets the results and how do I get them?
A radiologist experienced in MRI will analyze the results and send a report to your physician, along with an interpretation of his/her findings. Your physician in turn will discuss the MRA findings with you.
What are the benefits vs. risks?
Benefits:
- Detailed images of blood vessels and blood flow are obtained without having to insert a catheter directly into the area of interest, so that there is no risk of damaging an artery.
- The procedure itself and the time needed to recover are shorter than after a traditional catheter angiogram.
- MRA is less costly than catheter angiography.
- There is no exposure to x-rays during an MRI study.
- Contrast material may be injected, but unlike catheter angiography or CT angiography, which make use of iodine-based contrast material, the risk of an allergic reaction from MRA contrast is extremely low and kidney damage does not occur. Even without using contrast material, MRA can provide high-quality images of many blood vessels, making it very useful for patients prone to allergic reactions.
- As with catheter-based angiography or CT angiography, it frequently is possible to defer surgery after getting the results of an MRA study. If surgery remains necessary, it can be performed more accurately.
Risks:
MRI generally is avoided during the first three months of pregnancy. Ultrasound is preferred at this time unless the woman might have a very serious condition that is best detected by MRA. The effects of MRI on the fetus, if any, remain to be determined. The general rule for MRI and other diagnostic studies in pregnancy is that they should be avoided unless there is substantial risk from missing the correct diagnosis because the procedure is not done. Women who are breast-feeding should inform the radiologist and ask how to proceed. They may pump breast milk before the exam for use until the gadolinium contrast material has cleared from the body.
What are the limitations of MR Angiography?
MRA does not image calcium, as does CT angiography. The procedure should be avoided in any patient having a pacemaker, implanted neurostimulator, metallic ear implant, or metallic object within the eye socket. It should also be avoided if there is a bullet fragment or if the patient has a port for delivering insulin or chemotherapy. For patients who are very claustrophobic, adequate nursing staff must be on hand to monitor sedation.
The clearness of MRA images does not yet match those obtained by conventional angiography. MRI of small vessels, in particular, may not be adequate for diagnosis and treatment planning. Sometimes it may be difficult to separate images of arteries from veins by MRA.