Magnetic Resonance Angiography in the Diagnosis of Peripheral Arterial Disease

Abstract

Magnetic resonance (MR) angiography is a standard method of noninvasive imaging utilized in peripheral arterial disease. As compared to the gold standard for peripheral imaging, percutaneous angiography, the less invasive MR angiography offers diagnostic accuracy with high sensitivity and specificity in identifying hemodynamically significant stenoses. Both contrast-enhanced and noncontrast-enhanced modalities of MR angiography are available. New contrast agents, not based on gadolinium, have limited the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, once the dreaded complication of contrast-enhanced MRA. MR angiography compares well with other noninvasive imaging modalities, such as computed tomography angiography, and affords better resolution and lesion localization than duplex ultrasonography. Overall, sufficient information is provided by MR angiography, upon which clinicians can base treatment decisions, and in some cases, MR angiography may even provide better imaging of target vessels than other modalities. Ongoing studies are being performed to enhance acquisition and post-processing of images, likely improving the data provided by MR angiography.