What is MR Angiography?

MRI Angiography or MRA is therefore a more refined imaging that uses the MRI to establish blood flow patterns in the human body. Of all the endovascular imaging techniques, this is regarded as non-invasive and greatly useful when assessing the blood vessels devoid of the dangers of using ionising radiation such as in X-ray and CT scans. MRA uses strong magnets and radio waves in order to create clear pictures of vessels. An IV contrast agent, usually, gadolinium, is administered to help make the blood vessels stand out. Most suitable for visualising arterial structure with regard to blood flow. Measures the velocity of blood flow, offers complementary functional details concerning the arterial cardiovascular. The imaging modality of MRA is applied to identify stenosis, aneurysms, and vascular malformation. It helps the surgeons to visualise the arteries prior operations. It also helped in the assessment of the blood supply to tumours, for decisions on the kind of treatment to be given. However, there are contraindications to MRA, and patients with particular types of implants or patients with severe renal impairment should not undergo this modality.

Indications for Renal MRA

Renal MR Angiography (MRA) is applied to various clinical indications to evaluate the renal artery and the associated vasculature. Here are the key indications for performing a renal MRA:

1. Renal Artery Stenosis
   Assessment of the stenosis in the renal arteries which can result in hypertension or renal insufficiency.

2. Kidney vascular disorders: examination
   Diagnosis of pathologies of renal vessels during anatomic development, for instance, duplicity or agenesis.
   
   
3. Evaluation of Renal Tumours
   Evaluation of renal tumours blood supply so that help can be ascertained in the treatment plan & in surgical approaches.
   
   
4. Preoperative Planning
   

   Precise imaging of the location of renal vessels before renal operations, mainly nephrectomies or tumour resection.

5. Renal Ischemia
   Examination of renal hypoperfusion, which may occur from occlusions of the renal arteries or stenosis of these vessels.

6. VASCULAR Lesions: SUSPECTED ANEURYSMS OR VASCULAR MALFORMATIONS
   Determination of those renal artery aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations that may need intervention.

7. Follow-Up After Interventions
   Assessing the status of renal arteries in cases after surgery, stents placement or angioplasties.
   
   

8. Baseline assessment 2: Systemic Diseases with Renal Involvement
   Assessment of renal blood supply in situations like vasculitis, hypertension, or diabetes.

9. Transplant Evaluation
   Staging of kidney pre-and post-transplant candidates or in patients who have undergone renal transplant.
   
   

10. Unexplained Renal Dysfunction
    Diagnostic evaluation when renal function has been compromised, or other plain imaging is inconclusive.

Preparing for the Procedure

Before undergoing a renal MR Angiography (MRA), several vital procedures have to be followed in order to achieve a safe procedure. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Talking with Your Doctor

• Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast agents or have kidney problems.
• Always disclose to your provider drugs that you are using including the drugs bought without prescription and supplements.
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2. Pre-Procedure Instructions

• Fasting: Vasectomy may require you to starve for some number of hours before the surgery is performed on you. Most often this implies no food or beverage for a period of 4 to 6 hours before the scan.
• Medication Guidelines: Prescribe according to your provider’s direction as to which medications the patient should take. Some of the activities may require you to hold some of the medications especially those that are associated with the kidney.
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3. Contrast Agent Considerations

• If you have a history of allergy, especially to gadolinium-based contrast agents, let your health care provider know.
• Serum creatinine as part of kidney function tests may be done before for the procedure especially if you have kidney diseases.
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4. Clothing and Personal Items

• Avoid wearing clothing with metal such as snaps, hooks, and zippers and avoid wearing any jewellery during the MRI scan.
• Administrator Remove any rings, bracelets, or any other articles of jewellery, or shiny objects such as metallic watches before the procedure begins.
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5. Arriving for the Procedure

• To be on the safer side, arrive early enough to allow for preliminary tests and other formalities.
• It’s good to be prepared, so if you need any documents such as formal insurance documents and identification you should bring them with you.
  
  

6. During the Procedure

• You will be prepared for what is going to take place during the conduct of the MRA. The patient will have to lay down on a table that will help put his or her body through the MRI machine. Expect to sometimes pause while undertaking the imaging process due to waiting on the results.
  
  

7. Support Person

Ear piercing may be a good idea to have your spouse, child or any special friend accompany you because you may have some kind of fears about this kind of procedure or you easily get anxious when locked in a small room.

The Procedure: What to Expect

1. Arrival and Check-In

You will first go to the imaging centre for registration when you get to the hospital. You may have to fill out some forms and they may ask you about your health history.

2. Preparation

• A technologist or nurse will then come to get you to the imaging room.
• When performing some of the tests, particularly those that require contact with some body parts, the patient may be required to undress or even wear a hospital gown to prevent any distractions from the clothing.
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3. IV Placement

• A small vein in your arm will be threaded with an intravenous line that will be used to infuse the contrast agent (gadolinium).
• They may be also concerned with the IV placement if any, kindly report the staff.
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4. Positioning

• You will be positioned on a comfortable table that is moved into the scanner when the test starts. The technologist will make you comfortable, usually lying on your back with your hands by your sides.
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5. Beginning the Imaging

• After you sit down, the technologist will leave the room, but he/she will be able to talk to you from the next room, over the speaker. MRI machines are noisy; you may be provided with ear plugs or headphones to minimise sound.
  
  

6. Contrast Administration

• The polymer based Gadolinium will be administered through IV to improve the definition of renal arteries on the scan. When given the contrast, you may develop a warm sensation across your body or you may have a strange feel in the mouth like a metal taste.
  
  

7. Imaging Process

• There will be Some occasions you have to remain with your mouth closed as the images are being taken. This may happen repeatedly several times during the scanning process. The whole imaging procedure commonly takes between half an hour to an hour and half an hour depending on the type of scan conducted.
  
  

8. After the Imaging

• After the imagery has been taken, the technologist will help with getting down from the table. The IV will be removed and a short time will be spent checking on the patient to make sure they feel fine after contrast injection.
  
  

9. Post-Procedure Care

• For most nail procedures, patients can return to their normal activities right away again depending on their doctor’s instructions. In order to expel the contrast agent from his or her body, the patient should consume a great amount of fluids, particularly if the patient has complications with kidneys.
  
  

10. Results
    Your chest X-ray will be read by a radiologist, who will deliver a report to your doctor to bring into your next appointment.

After the Procedure

After a renal MR Angiography (MRA), there are a few important steps and considerations to keep in mind to ensure your well-being:

1. Monitoring

In some facilities you will be observed for a while to rule out any major side effects of the contrast agent used.

2. IV Removal

Regarding the matter of contrast, the IV line which was used for injecting the contrast will be removed. Any sensation of discomfort at the spot of IV should be reported to the staff.

3. Hydration

Substantial amount of water should be consumed to make sure that contrast agent is washed out from the body particularly if you have kidney complications.

4. Resuming Activities

• Most of the time, it is possible to carry out your normal activities right after the procedure. If you had sedation (uncommon for MRA), you should have someone drive you home Other risks are the same as MRA risks.
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5. Post-Procedure Symptoms

• Sometimes, side effects of the medication can include a headache or nausea and are relatively mild and temporary. Any symptoms that you develop that you consider to be out of the ordinary such as severe headache, rash, difficulty in breathing, or swelling, should require the attention of a doctor.
  
  

6. Follow-Up Appointments

• These images will be interpreted by a radiologist and a report thereof will be forwarded to your healthcare provider. Make an appointment for the follow up to assess the results and make any necessary next move according to the results got.
  
  

7. Discussing Results

Your provider will go into detail about the findings on the MRA during your follow-up appointment and what needs to be done about them.

8. Questions and Concerns

In case you have any concerns regarding your procedure, or you are unsure about your recovery process, you should consult your doctor.

Risks and Considerations

It is always good to keep an eye on the dangers and other potential factors that accompany the Renal MR Angiography (MRA). Here are the key points:

1. Contrast agent induced allergic reactions

• Gadolinium based contrast agents are generally well tolerated but conversely some patients may present with different degree or severity of allergy from simple nausea or rash, to severe difficulty in breathing or anaphylactic shock.
• Always tell your doctor if you have had allergy reactions or if you are sensitive to iodine agents.

2. Nephrotoxicity

• They may experience kidney Problems especially those with kidney disease or those with poor renal function.
• This risk may be minimized by routine blood tests to evaluate kidney function prior to the procedure.

3. Claustrophobia

• Some of the patients may experience anxiety or discomfort because the MRI station is relatively small.
• Before entering the MRI scan, if you have claustrophobia tell your healthcare provider about this illness. They may suggest the anaesthetic option or other imaging procedures that can be done.

4. Metal Implants and Devices

• Patients with metallic implants, including pacemakers or specific types of aneurysm clips, cannot have MRI scans because of the strong magnetic field.
• Tell your doctor and healthcare staff for all the particulars of your medical history, especially the implants or devices.

5. Pregnancy Considerations

• Pregnancy safety of gadolinium contrast is still an issue that is under debate.
• Pregnant patients are advised to discuss the procedure with their doctor to determine whether or not the procedure requires the patient’s attention and the associated dangers of pregnancy.

6. Potential Discomfort

• Specific discomfort may be felt by the patients for instance during the process they may have to hold their breath or remain still for a long time.
• Talk to the staff, as they will try to calm and comfort you.

7. Follow-Up on Symptoms

• There are always some symptoms that one should consider after the procedure is over; these include headaches, nausea that doesn’t subside or signs of an allergic reaction.
• Always consult your healthcare provider if you develop any of the symptoms that are so scary.
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Benefits of Renal MRA

Renal MR Angiography (MRA) has several advantages over other techniques allowing for its use in renal vascular assessment. Here are the key advantages:

1. Non-Invasive Procedure

MRA does not entail the use of catheter, which is more invasive than angiography but provides clear images by relying on labels. This minimises complications that may be related to the use of invasive methods.

2. No Ionizing Radiation

MRA does not ionise radiation unlike the other imaging techniques such as CT angiography or X–ray. This is especially useful when the patient needs more than one scan such as in a CT and an MRI of the same area.

3. Detailed Visualisation

MRA includes high-quality depiction of blood vessels; therefore it is effective in demonstrating the renal arteries and surrounding structures. This makes diagnosis accurate besides helping in planning for the right treatment for the patient.

4. Comprehensive Assessment

MRA can assess the various pathophysiologic conditions affecting vessels in the same setting; they include stenosis, aneurysms, and congenital vascular disorders. In light of this, the assessment approach helps in developing an integrated approach when defining renal well-being.

5. Assessment of Blood Flow

Phase contrast MRA for instance can quantify perfusion and provide velocities information about renal perfusion that is very essential in the diagnosis.

6. Early Detection of Disease

MRA can spot out different vessel pathologies and renal artery stenosis at an early stage, thus it can eventually avoid hypertension or renal failure.

7. Preoperative Planning

Regarding renal surgeries, MRA assists in delineating the vascular architectural plan; it assists the surgeons in the right planning for the surgery.

8. Minimal Discomfort

This usually presents as a simple procedure that patients endure with little or no discomfort during the scan.

9. Follow-Up Monitoring

Due to its ability to capture the changes in the renal vasculature over time, it is singularly useful for evaluating outcomes in cases where there has been stenting or angioplasty.

10. Versatility

MRA can be applied in some clinical settings such as congenital anomalies, systemic renal diseases and in the pre-transplant renal allograft assessment.

• Test Type:  MR Angiography of the Renal Arteries with Contrast
• Preparation:
• Wear a loose-fitting cloth
• Fasting not required
• Carry Your ID Proof
• Prescription is mandatory for  patients with a doctor’s sign, stamp, with DMC/HMC number; as per PC-PNDT Act
• Reports Time: With in 4-6 hours
• Test Price: Rs.8000

What is renal MR Angiography?

Renal MRA is a non-invasive diagnostic technique, which incorporates MRI technology and applies it to the detection of vascular conditions within the renal area.

Why would I need a renal MRA?

It may be prescribed to diagnose renal artery stenosis, certain vascular abnormalities, kidney tumour and to evaluate the perfusion of kidneys whenever there is hypertension or other puzzling kidney symptoms.

What should I do in order to prepare for the procedure?

This may include not eating for a while before the surgery, telling the doctor if you have an allergy or are on medication and not wearing clothes with metallic buttons or belts.

Do I qualify for contrast for the procedure?

Such a gadolinium-based contrast agent is normally given to help in the visualisation of blood vessels during the scan. Make sure to inform your provider if you are particularly allergic to the agents given in the contrast.

Is the procedure safe?

It must be noted however that MRA is relatively safe procedural. But, as mentioned above, there are some possible adverse effects related to contrast agents especially in patients with renal disease. Feel free to speak to any issues with your doctor.

I also need to know what will happen during the process?

You will be asked to put down on a table that will then be transferred into the MRI machine. The scan should take between 30 and 60 minutes although you may be asked to hold your for brief periods during the test.

Am I going to feel anything during the operation?

Patients do not complain of much pain most of the time. Sometimes as the contrast is injected, you may experience a quick heating sensation and the MRI can be loud.

What is the turnaround time?

The radiologist will study the images and present a report to your doctor in most cases within 24 to 72 hours. You will then need a second appointment which is the result consultation.

How can I book an appointment for MR Angiography of the Renal Arteries with Contrast through Medintu? 

To schedule an appointment for MR Angiography of the Renal Arteries with Contrast, simply contact Medintu or call our customer care at +919100907036 or +919100907622 for more details and queries.