SDG

mr angiography

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an image-based evaluation of the arteries and veins that carry blood to and from the heart, brain, and throughout the body. It produces clear and precise pictures that give important information about blood flow and the structure of blood vessels.

Because it is noninvasive, in many cases it has advantages over conventional angiograms that involve threading a thin tube into a blood vessel and adding an iodine-based dye before an x-ray scan. MRA also has the benefit of being radiation-free, thus being safer for many patients. While some MRA exams require an injection of a non-radioactive contrast agent, the material is less likely to cause an allergic reaction than iodine-based dyes.

What Is MRA Used For?

MRA is used for detection and for planning/guiding treatment interventions.

Detection

MRA reveals a range of abnormal conditions before they become life-threatening:

  • Restricted blood flow due to atherosclerotic (plaque) disease or narrowing of blood vessels (stenosis)
  • A bulge (aneurysm), weakening of a blood vessel wall
  • A dissection, tear in the internal wall of an artery
  • An endoleak, after placement of aortic stent
  • A blood vessel malformation inside the brain or other parts of the body
  • Limited blood flow to the brain, kidneys, legs or other parts of the body
  • Blood clot (embolism) in the lung arteries or elsewhere
  • Blood clot (thrombus) in the legs or elsewhere
  • Screening patients with a family history of arterial disease

Treatment Planning and Guidance

MRA gives doctors the information they need to plan and guide interventions:

  • Place a stent (small tube) to open narrow or blocked arteries
  • Repair aneurysm or other blood vessel wall damage
  • Evaluate blood vessels leading to a tumor prior to anti-tumor interventions
  • Guide and monitor anti-tumor interventions
  • Prepare for coronary bypass surgery
  • Monitor aneurysm size prior to intervention

    • MR Angiography at the Sperling Diagnostic Group

    Our state-of-the-art magnet offers special features that maximize patient comfort, safety, and the capturing of high resolution images of blood vessels in times as short as three minutes per imaging sequence.

    The Sperling Diagnostic Group provides fast, noninvasive, high resolution Magnetic Resonance Angiography. Our specialists excel at imaging results and reports. If MRA has been recommended for you or a loved one, contact us at (800) 123-4567.