When your doctor tells you to have an MRA scan, you may feel a little scared. It's normal to have a lot of questions like, "What kind of test is this? Will they put a big machine in? Will it hurt?" But don't worry, an MRA is actually a very safe and painless test. Today, we'll talk about it in a simple way that you can understand.
What is an MRA?
Simply put, MRA is short for Magnetic Resonance Angiography . This is also a type of MRI scan, but this one focuses specifically on the blood vessels in your body. That is, it examines the condition of the arteries and veins, the blood vessels that carry blood throughout your body.
One of the biggest advantages of this is that it is a non-invasive test that can be done outside the body. You may have heard of a regular angiography test, where a small tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel to examine it. But with an MRA, nothing like that is done. So it is much easier.
A doctor uses an MRA to find out if there is a problem with your blood vessels, such as a blocked vein. The information from this test is also very important for monitoring changes in your blood vessels after treatment and planning surgery.
What can be seen with an MRA scan?
This test can examine blood vessels in various parts of the body.
| Body part | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Aorta | The main, largest vein that carries blood from the heart to the body. |
| Cerebral blood vessels | The delicate network of blood vessels that supplies blood to your brain. |
| Carotid arteries | The two main arteries that carry blood to the brain from both sides of the neck. |
| Coronary arteries | A very important blood vessel that supplies blood to the heart muscle. |
| Peripheral arteries of the arms and legs | Blood vessels that carry blood to the arms, legs, and fingers. |
| Pulmonary arteries | Veins that carry blood from the heart to the lungs. |
| Renal arteries | Blood vessels that supply blood to the kidneys. |
What diseases can be detected with an MRA?
This test can detect various blood vessel-related diseases.
| Medical condition | Medical scientific name (English Term) |
|---|---|
| A blood vessel bursts or tears in its wall | Aneurysms / Aortic dissection |
| Narrowing (occlusion) of a blood vessel | Artery stenosis |
| Abnormal entanglement of arteries and veins | Arteriovenous malformation |
| Fatty deposits in the veins | Atherosclerosis |
| Blood clots in the veins of the legs | Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) |
| A blood clot traveling to the lungs | Pulmonary embolism (PE) |
| Congenital heart disease | Congenital heart disease |
| What is specifically seen with a brain MRA? | |
| Risk of a brain aneurysm bursting | Brain aneurysms |
| Symptoms of a stroke | Evidence of a stroke |
| Abnormalities in blood vessels | Vascular malformations |
Sometimes, doctors recommend an MRA brain scan to find the cause of a persistent headache.
How does this MRA machine work?
This is a very interesting technique. An MRA scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves . These are used to create detailed pictures of the blood vessels in your body. The doctor can view these pictures on a computer screen.
The most important thing here is that MRA does not use any radiation like X-rays , so it is much safer than an X-ray or CT scan.
Are there types of MRA tests?
Yes, there are several types of MRAs depending on your needs.
- Contrast-enhanced MRA: In this, a small amount of medicine (contrast dye) is injected into your vein. This medicine makes the blood vessels visible clearly, making it easier to diagnose a disease.
- Non-enhanced MRA: This type does not use contrast dye. If you have a kidney condition, this dye can be harmful to your body. This type is used in such cases.
- 2D and 3D MRA: Sometimes two-dimensional (2D) images are taken to see a long section of a blood vessel. Three-dimensional (3D) images are taken to see a fine, intricate network of veins in places like the brain.
How should you prepare for an MRA scan?
Before the scan, the doctor or hospital staff will ask you a few questions. It is important for your safety to answer these questions honestly .
- Do you have any metal parts in your body? This is a very important question. Because the MRA machine has a very strong magnet, it can be dangerous if you have any metal parts in your body. For example: pacemakers, some clips after surgery, iron rods, artificial joints, or metal fragments that have entered the body in some accident.
- Are you afraid of being in confined spaces? Some people feel a little scared and uncomfortable when they go inside this machine. This is called ``claustrophobia.`` If you have such a problem, tell us in advance. Then the doctor can give you a little medicine to relax you. Some hospitals also have "open" MRI machines.
- Are you pregnant or breastfeeding? You should also inform your doctor about this.
- Other illnesses, allergies, or surgeries you have had , especially if you have kidney or liver disease, may prevent you from receiving the contrast dye mentioned earlier.
Your doctor will give you instructions on how to eat, drink, and take your medications before the scan. Follow those instructions exactly. If you are given a sedative, don't forget to bring someone to take you home after the scan .
What happens during the scan?
Okay, now let's see what happens during the scan. Once you know this step by step, your fear will go away.
1. First, you will be made to lie down on a bed connected to the scanner.
2. The machine is a bit loud, so you will be given headphones or earplugs to reduce the noise.
3. You will be instructed to remain as still as possible during the scan, as moving may affect the clarity of the images. Sometimes you may be asked to hold your breath for a while.
4. You will be given a small ball-like object in your hand. If you feel any discomfort, you can squeeze it and signal the staff. They will be watching you from a nearby room and can also talk to you.
5. Then the bed you are in goes into the machine. This is a round machine with a big hole in the middle.
6. The scan will now begin. If you need to be given contrast dye, it will be injected through the cannula in your arm at that time. You may feel a slight metallic taste in your mouth, which will go away after a while.
7. After the medicine is given, I will take some more pictures.
8. When the test is finished, the bed will come out again. Then the cannula in your arm will be removed.
An MRA scan usually takes between 20 and 60 minutes to complete.
Is there any risk in this?
Overall, MRA is a very safe test .
- This does not use radiation.
- Nothing is put inside the body (except for the contrast dye).
- If you have a kidney problem and are at risk from contrast dye, the scan can be done without it.
Very rarely, some people may experience headaches, stomach upset, or an allergic reaction to the contrast dye. But this is very rare.
After the scan and about the report
Unless you were given a sedative, you can drive yourself and go about your normal activities after the scan. If you were given medication, you will definitely need to be accompanied home by someone else.
It may take a few days for your MRA scan images to be reviewed by a radiologist, a report prepared, and sent to your doctor. If you don't hear back after a week or so, ask your doctor about it.
Based on the results of your report, your doctor will explain to you whether there are any problems with your blood vessels. You may see the word "unremarkable" on your report. Don't be alarmed by that. In medical terms, it means "no problem, everything is normal."
Sure, the MRA machine can be a little scary to see. But you can wear headphones to drown out the noise, and you can take medication if you're uncomfortable being in a confined space. This test gives your doctor a lot of valuable information about your body. That information is what will help him decide exactly what treatment you need.
Take-Home Message
- An MRA is a special type of MRI scan that looks primarily at the blood vessels (nerves) in your body.
- This is very safe . It does not use harmful radiation like X-rays or CT scans.
- Before the scan, be sure to tell the doctor about any metal parts in your body (pacemakers, clips), allergies, pregnancy, and other illnesses.
- There is no pain during the test. The only discomfort is the sound of the machine and having to remain still.
- The information obtained from this test helps doctors to accurately diagnose your condition and provide the best treatment.
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