An MRA is used to examine blood vessels throughout the body. It can be used for the abdomen, head, heart, kidneys, lungs and legs. It is used in the diagnosis and evaluation of:
The test takes approximately an hour. You will lie down on a table which slides into the tunnel-like scanner. You may be given an injection of a contrast material (dye) by I.V. The dye assists the radiologist in clearly seeing specific areas to be scanned.
Although the person overseeing the procedure is in an adjoining room, you will be in contact with that person via an intercom.
There is no recovery time unless you were given a sedative. You can resume normal activities immediately following the scan.
