MR angiography as the most modern and safe method of investigation
MR angiography is a modern way of obtaining images of vessels of various organs with the help of a special device. This technique allows you to get a fairly clear picture of the state of work and features of the structure of the vascular system of the study zone, which helps to establish an accurate diagnosis and when planning surgery on vessels, as well as to monitor the effectiveness of the performed operation.
For its implementation, you need certain equipment - a magnetic resonance imager, as well as the presence of a highly qualified specialist for interpreting diagnostic results. The procedure is safe, it is completely painless, and allows you to determine or clarify the diagnosis for heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, vegetovascular dystonia, diabetes mellitus and many other diseases associated with vascular pathology.
What can be detected
- Atherosclerotic changes in the vascular wall;
- Narrowing and occlusion;
- Extension, thinning or delamination of the vascular wall;
- Presence of congenital heart defects;
- Pathological conditions of vessels caused by their inflammation.
In what cases is the study not conducted?
For magnetic resonance angiography, as well as for any method of examination, there may be contraindications:
- Overweight( depends on apparatus).
- The presence of an implant in the patient's body from the metal( may distort image quality).
- The presence of a pacemaker( a malfunction in the operation of the device or a decrease in the quality of the study).
- Severe claustrophobia in the patient( fear or discomfort when sitting in a confined space).
- Pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Decompensated heart failure.
- A condition in which a patient can not remain immobile for a long time( mental disorders, severe pain syndrome, etc.).
- General patient condition.
Necessary preparation of
Before the passage of MR angiography, the patient in writing indicates the presence in his body of objects of metal or ferroalloys. These can be plates, intrauterine spirals, artificial pacemakers or joints. It should also warn the doctor about the presence of allergic reactions to drugs, and indicate which ones.
The patient is released immediately before the procedure from all things containing in the metal - remove ornaments, clothes with buttons, glasses and dentures.
Compliance with a special diet or temporary abstinence from food is not required. Taking medications also will not affect the course of MRI angiography. To relieve tension with claustrophobia, which can occur, you can take a sedative.
Examination of
The patient is placed on a table and placed in a special magnetic resonance chamber in a separate room. In this case, the doctor and the screen on which the image is displayed is in the next room. All the time the study requires the patient to stay immobile. Sometimes he may be asked to hold his breath for a while.
The received information is recorded and processed on the computer. The duration of the procedure is 30 to 90 minutes. The results obtained are in the form of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image.
The use of a contrast medium for this method of diagnosis is generally not required. However, with problems with diseases of the cerebral vessels or a cancerous tumor, the contrast can be used to obtain a more distinct picture. What is the advantage of the
- technique? High image clarity;
- painless and safe( no irradiation);
- the speed of holding;
- procedure without the use of contrast agent is non-invasive, and when used, minimally invasive( the drug is injected into the ulnar vein);
- is a relatively affordable price;
- no need for long preparation;
- a small number of contraindications;
- after the passage of the patient does not need rehabilitation measures, when using a contrast agent it is recommended to drink up to 1.5 liters of liquid during the first 24 hours after the diagnosis.