MRA - Magnetic Resonance Angiography

MRI of the Blood Vessels (MRA)

A doctor or physician may order a Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA), which is a type of MRI that looks specifically at blood vessels and the flow of blood through them.  An MRA is used to examine blood vessels throughout the key areas of the body including brain, neck, heart, chest, abdomen, pelvis, legs, feet, arms, and hands.

A quality MRA scan can show radiologists what may be causing your signs and symptoms and it’s important that you find the best machines and radiologists possible to receive the best imaging.

Reasons for a Blood Vessel MRA:

A MRA scan may be done to check for certain cancers or other illness. The MRI may show tissue that has cancer cells and tissue that does not have cancer cells.

A MRA scan be used to guide doctors or surgeons during a procedure, such as a biopsy. An MRA scan can help surgeons make repairs to diseased blood vessels.

A MRA scan can show healthcare providers how well a treatment for a disease is working and the results of a quality MRI scan can help in the plan for the best treatment forward.

A Blood Vessel MRA may help diagnose (find):

A MRA of the blood vessels can identify abnormalities in the arteries and veins such as aneurysms in the aorta or in other arteries.

A MRA can identify blocked blood vessels or torn lining of blood vessels.

A MRA can detect diseases in the arteries to the kidneys or visualize blood flow to help prepare for kidney transplant.

A MRA can also detect injury to arteries in the neck, chest, abdomen, or pelvis after trauma and evaluate obstructions of the vessels.

A MRA of the blood vessels can help your physician identify bleeding in or along the wall of the aorta.

A MRA can show signs of heart disease and evidence of stroke.

There are some differences between an MRI and an MRA and you can read more about them here.

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Getting a MRA:

Find out what the experience is like and what you should expect.

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Before the MRI

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During the MRI

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After the MRI

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