BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuMagnetic resonance angiographyMRA; Angiography - magnetic resonanceMagnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an MRI exam of the blood vessels. Unlike traditional angiography that involves placing a tube (catheter) into the body, MRA is noninvasive.MRIA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How the Test is Performed You may be asked to wear a hospital gown. You can also wear clothing without metal fasteners (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Certain types of metal can cause blurry images.You will lie on a narrow table, which slides into a large tunnel-shaped scanner.Some exams require a special dye (contrast). Most often, the dye is given before the test through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly.During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test may take 1 hour or more. How to Prepare for the Test You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.Tell your health care provider if you are afraid of close spaces (have claustrophobia). You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious. Your provider may suggest an "open" MRI. In open MRI, the machine is not as close to the body.Before the test, tell your provider if you have:Brain aneurysm clips Artificial heart valve Heart defibrillator or pacemaker Heart defibrillatorAn implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a device that detects a life-threatening, rapid heartbeat. This abnormal heartbeat is called an a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inner ear (cochlear) implants Insulin pump or chemotherapy port Intrauterine device (IUD) Kidney disease or dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast) Neurostimulator Recently placed artificial joints Vascular stent StentA stent is a tiny tube placed into a hollow structure in your body. This structure can be an artery, a vein, or another structure, such as the tube ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Worked with sheet metal in the past (you may need tests to check for tiny metal pieces in your eyes)Because the MRI contains strong magnets, metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner. Avoid carrying items such as:Pocketknives, pens, and eyeglasses Watches, credit cards, jewelry, and hearing aids Hairpins, metal zippers, pins, and similar items Removable dental implants How the Test will Feel An MRA exam causes no pain. If you have problems lying still or are very nervous, you may be given a medicine (sedative) to relax you. Moving too much can blur images and cause errors.The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine produces loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can wear ear plugs to help reduce the noise.An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. Some scanners have televisions and special headphones that you can use to help the time pass.There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine to relax. Why the Test is Performed MRA is used to look at the blood vessels in all parts of the body. The test may be done for the head, heart, abdomen, lungs, kidneys, and legs.It may be used to diagnose or evaluate conditions such as:Arterial aneurysm (an abnormal widening or ballooning of a part of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel) Arterial aneurysmThe aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when an area of t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aortic coarctation Aortic coarctationThe aorta is a larger artery that carries blood from the heart to the vessels that supply the rest of the body with blood. If part of the aorta is n...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aortic dissection Aortic dissectionAortic dissection is a serious condition in which there is a tear in the wall of the major artery carrying blood out of the heart (aorta). As the te...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stroke StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Carotid artery disease Carotid artery diseaseCarotid artery disease causes the carotid arteries to become narrowed or blocked. The carotid arteries provide part of the main blood supply to your ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Atherosclerosis of the arms or legs AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis, sometimes called "hardening of the arteries," occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Heart disease, including congenital heart disease Mesenteric artery ischemia Mesenteric artery ischemiaMesenteric artery ischemia occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage of one or more of the three major arteries that supply the small and large in...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Renal artery stenosis (narrowing of the blood vessels in the kidneys) Normal Results A normal result means the blood vessels do not show any signs of narrowing or blockage. What Abnormal Results Mean An abnormal result suggests a problem with one or more blood vessels. This may suggest:Atherosclerosis AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis, sometimes called "hardening of the arteries," occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Trauma Congenital disease Other vascular condition Risks MRA is generally safe. It uses no radiation. To date, no side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves have been reported.The most common type of contrast used contains gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions to the substance rarely occur. However, gadolinium can be harmful to people with kidney problems who require dialysis. If you have kidney problems, please tell your provider before the test.The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can cause heart pacemakers and other implants to not work as well. They can also cause a piece of metal inside your body to move or shift.Open ReferencesReferencesCarpenter JP, Litt H, Gowda M. Magnetic resonance imaging and arteriography In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 30.Kwong RY. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. In: Libby, P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli, GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 19.AllVideoImagesTogMRI scans - illustration MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It allows imaging of the interior of the body without using x-rays or other types of ionizing radiation. An MRI scan is capable of showing fine detail of different tissues.MRI scansillustrationMRI scans - illustration MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It allows imaging of the interior of the body without using x-rays or other types of ionizing radiation. An MRI scan is capable of showing fine detail of different tissues.MRI scansillustrationA Closer Look Angina(Alt. Medicine)Stroke(Alt. Medicine)Stroke - InDepth(In-Depth)Coronary artery disease - InDepth(In-Depth)Peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication - InDepth(In-Depth)Heart failure - InDepth(In-Depth)Brain tumors - primary - InDepth(In-Depth)Sickle cell disease - InDepth(In-Depth) Tests for Magnetic resonance angiography Magnetic resonance angiographyMRIHead MRICerebral angiographyChest MRIMesenteric angiographyLeft heart ventricular angiographyAortic angiographyRight heart ventricular angiographyRenal arteriographyRelated Information MRI(Medical Test)Aortic angiography(Medical Test)Coarctation of the aorta(Condition)Aortic dissection(Condition)Stroke(Condition)Atherosclerosis(Condition)Coronary heart disease(Condition)Coronary artery disease - InDepth(In-Depth)Cholesterol - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 5/10/2022 Reviewed By: Deepak Sudheendra, MD, MHCI, RPVI, FSIR, Founder and CEO, 360 Vascular Institute, with an expertise in Vascular Interventional Radiology & Surgical Critical Care, Columbus, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. 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Magnetic resonance angiographyMRA; Angiography - magnetic resonanceMagnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an MRI exam of the blood vessels. Unlike traditional angiography that involves placing a tube (catheter) into the body, MRA is noninvasive.MRIA magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How the Test is Performed You may be asked to wear a hospital gown. You can also wear clothing without metal fasteners (such as sweatpants and a t-shirt). Certain types of metal can cause blurry images.You will lie on a narrow table, which slides into a large tunnel-shaped scanner.Some exams require a special dye (contrast). Most often, the dye is given before the test through a vein (IV) in your hand or forearm. The dye helps the radiologist see certain areas more clearly.During the MRI, the person who operates the machine will watch you from another room. The test may take 1 hour or more. How to Prepare for the Test You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the scan.Tell your health care provider if you are afraid of close spaces (have claustrophobia). You may be given a medicine to help you feel sleepy and less anxious. Your provider may suggest an "open" MRI. In open MRI, the machine is not as close to the body.Before the test, tell your provider if you have:Brain aneurysm clips Artificial heart valve Heart defibrillator or pacemaker Heart defibrillatorAn implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a device that detects a life-threatening, rapid heartbeat. This abnormal heartbeat is called an a...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Inner ear (cochlear) implants Insulin pump or chemotherapy port Intrauterine device (IUD) Kidney disease or dialysis (you may not be able to receive contrast) Neurostimulator Recently placed artificial joints Vascular stent StentA stent is a tiny tube placed into a hollow structure in your body. This structure can be an artery, a vein, or another structure, such as the tube ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Worked with sheet metal in the past (you may need tests to check for tiny metal pieces in your eyes)Because the MRI contains strong magnets, metal objects are not allowed into the room with the MRI scanner. Avoid carrying items such as:Pocketknives, pens, and eyeglasses Watches, credit cards, jewelry, and hearing aids Hairpins, metal zippers, pins, and similar items Removable dental implants How the Test will Feel An MRA exam causes no pain. If you have problems lying still or are very nervous, you may be given a medicine (sedative) to relax you. Moving too much can blur images and cause errors.The table may be hard or cold, but you can ask for a blanket or pillow. The machine produces loud thumping and humming noises when turned on. You can wear ear plugs to help reduce the noise.An intercom in the room allows you to speak to someone at any time. Some scanners have televisions and special headphones that you can use to help the time pass.There is no recovery time, unless you were given a medicine to relax. Why the Test is Performed MRA is used to look at the blood vessels in all parts of the body. The test may be done for the head, heart, abdomen, lungs, kidneys, and legs.It may be used to diagnose or evaluate conditions such as:Arterial aneurysm (an abnormal widening or ballooning of a part of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel) Arterial aneurysmThe aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs. An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when an area of t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aortic coarctation Aortic coarctationThe aorta is a larger artery that carries blood from the heart to the vessels that supply the rest of the body with blood. If part of the aorta is n...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aortic dissection Aortic dissectionAortic dissection is a serious condition in which there is a tear in the wall of the major artery carrying blood out of the heart (aorta). As the te...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Stroke StrokeA stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Carotid artery disease Carotid artery diseaseCarotid artery disease causes the carotid arteries to become narrowed or blocked. The carotid arteries provide part of the main blood supply to your ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Atherosclerosis of the arms or legs AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis, sometimes called "hardening of the arteries," occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Heart disease, including congenital heart disease Mesenteric artery ischemia Mesenteric artery ischemiaMesenteric artery ischemia occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage of one or more of the three major arteries that supply the small and large in...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Renal artery stenosis (narrowing of the blood vessels in the kidneys) Normal Results A normal result means the blood vessels do not show any signs of narrowing or blockage. What Abnormal Results Mean An abnormal result suggests a problem with one or more blood vessels. This may suggest:Atherosclerosis AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis, sometimes called "hardening of the arteries," occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Trauma Congenital disease Other vascular condition Risks MRA is generally safe. It uses no radiation. To date, no side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves have been reported.The most common type of contrast used contains gadolinium. It is very safe. Allergic reactions to the substance rarely occur. However, gadolinium can be harmful to people with kidney problems who require dialysis. If you have kidney problems, please tell your provider before the test.The strong magnetic fields created during an MRI can cause heart pacemakers and other implants to not work as well. They can also cause a piece of metal inside your body to move or shift.Open ReferencesReferencesCarpenter JP, Litt H, Gowda M. Magnetic resonance imaging and arteriography In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 30.Kwong RY. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. In: Libby, P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli, GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 19.