Magnetic Resonance Angiography of the Arteries of the Upper and Lower Extremities.

Ayaz Aghayev, Michael Steigner

Journal: Magnetic resonance imaging clinics of North America 2023;31(3):361-372

PMID: 37414466

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a powerful tool for assessing upper and lower extremity artery pathologies. In addition to the classic advantages of MRA, such as the absence of radiation and iodinated contrast exposure, it can provide high temporal resolution/dynamic images of the arteries with high soft tissue contrast. Although it has a relatively lower spatial resolution than computed tomography angiography, MRA does not cause blooming artifacts in heavily calcified vessels, which is crucial in small vessel assessment. Although contrast-enhanced MRA is the most preferred technique to assess extremity vascular pathologies, recent advances in non-contrast MRA protocols provide an alternative imaging technique for patients with chronic kidney disease.

Address: Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].; Cardiovascular Imaging Program, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2023.04.002

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Magnetic Resonance Angiography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Arteries, Contrast Media, Lower Extremity