Magnetic resonance angiography of the peripheral arteries: current status

Abstract

Comprehensive imaging of the peripheral vasculature has traditionally only been possible with catheter angiography. With the introduction of time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF MRA), non-invasive imaging of the peripheral arteries became a clinical reality; however, widespread adoption of TOF MRA did not occur due to long scan times and artefacts which precluded its use as a screening tool. Contrast-enhanced MRA, an extremely time-efficient technique with minimal associated artefacts, addresses most of the limitations of non-contrast techniques. Numerous technological advances, including bolus detection, optimized 3D volume placement, improved k-space filling mechanisms and the evolution from single-station to multi-location moving-table contrast-enhanced MRA, have facilitated the development of non-invasive evaluation of the peripheral vascular tree with contrast-enhanced techniques.