title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of MRI, St James's Hospital, James's Street, Dublin 8, Ireland. jmeaney@stjames.ie
authors.forename: James F M
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Meaney
mesh_terms: D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D016477:Artifacts; D003287:Contrast Media; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography / Q000379:methods; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media