Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA Scan): Your Complete Guide

If you are concerned about potential blood vessel issues like blood clots or plaque buildup, or if you've recently had a heart attack or stroke that has you worried about what's happening inside your body, it is understandable that you would want answers as quickly and clearly as possible. An MRA scan is a powerful tool that can provide those answers. 

In this complete guide, we explore everything you need to know about MRA scans, including what they are, their use cases, the different types of MRA scans, how long the procedure takes, and the cost of booking an MRA scan near you. 

What is an MRA scan?

A magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) scan (short for MR angiogram), is a non-invasive and painless procedure that uses a powerful magnetic field, pulses of radio waves, and a computer to produce detailed images of the blood vessels and show blood flow within them. 

Please note that an MRA scan can often be confused with a magnetic resonance arthrogram (also abbreviated as MRA), which is a different type of scan used for imaging joints.

Blood vessels are tube-like channels that start from the heart and stretch for miles (~ 60,000 miles) throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients and removing waste products, like carbon dioxide. There are three main types of blood vessels, namely:

• Arteries, which transport blood away from the heart.

• Veins, which bring blood towards the heart.

• Capillaries, the smallest blood vessels, which connect the arteries and veins. 

An MRA scan allows doctors to observe these blood vessels, detect abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments. Unlike traditional X-rays, an MRA does not use ionising radiation, making it a safer option for many patients. 

Why would someone need an MRA scan?

There are several reasons why a healthcare provider might order an MRA scan. If you experience symptoms that lead your doctor to suspect issues with your blood vessels, an MRA scan can help detect the location, nature, and severity of the problem. Other reasons include:

• To plan surgical procedures.

• To assess your risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.

• To monitor the progression of a blood vessel condition and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.

Types of MRA scan

MRA scans can be tailored to examine different parts of the body. Depending on your symptoms or medical history, your doctor may recommend one of the following types:

• Coronary MR angiogram: This MRA scan type is used to examine the blood vessels that supply and transport blood out of the heart. It detects and provides valuable information about conditions such as blockages or narrowing of arteries, which can lead to heart attacks. It is also helpful for determining the best sites to place a pacemaker or other implantable medical devices in patients with heart failure. 

• Renal MR angiogram: This scan targets the renal arteries, which supply blood to the kidneys. A renal angiogram can be used to assess conditions like renal artery stenosis, where the arteries become narrowed, leading to high blood pressure and kidney damage.

• Pulmonary MR angiogram: This scan type visualises the blood vessels in the lungs. It is particularly useful for diagnosing pulmonary embolism—a condition where a blood clot travels to the lungs and blocks blood flow, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

• Aortic MR angiogram: This scan examines the aorta, the largest artery in the body, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

• Other blood vessels: MRA scans can also be used to examine other blood vessels in the body, including those in the neck (carotid arteries), legs, and arms.

What is the difference between an MRI and MRA?

The key difference between an MRI and an MRA scan lies in what they’re designed to examine.

An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is used to visualise organs, soft tissues, and bones, providing a clear view of the body’s internal structures. It’s commonly used, from checking for torn ligaments to examining the brain. An MRA, on the other hand, offers a detailed, targeted look at the vascular system. Like standard MRI scans, it can often use a contrast dye to enhance the visibility of blood vessels, making it easier to identify issues like blockages, aneurysms, or blood clots.

Ultimately, an MRA is a specialised type of MRI that uses the same technology—magnetic fields and radio waves—and the same machine but is specifically focused on creating images of blood vessels. In some cases, an MRI and MRA may be performed together to provide a comprehensive view of both the blood vessels and the surrounding tissues.

What is an MRA scan used to diagnose?

An MRA scan can be used to detect, evaluate, assess the severity of, and guide stent placement or surgical intervention for a wide range of vascular conditions, including: 

• Atherosclerotic disease (also called plaque disease, it is a buildup of a sticky substance called plaque inside the arteries, causing them to harden and/or constrict, potentially leading to a stroke).

• Vasculitis (an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the blood vessels). 

• Aneurysm in the brain, legs, chest, abdomen, or other areas (this happens when an artery or vein with a weakened wall develops an abnormally large bulge, which can burst and cause internal bleeding).

• Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) (an abnormal tangle of blood vessels that cause problematic connections between arteries and veins).

• Blood clots.

• Congenital (i.e, present at birth) blood vessel abnormalities.

• Renal (kidney) artery disease.

• Coronary (heart) artery disease.

• Pulmonary (lung) vascular disease (PVD).

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD) (a plaque disease that narrows the arteries leading to the arms and legs, reducing blood flow and causing symptoms like numbness, erectile dysfunction, hair loss on the legs and feet, and leg pain while walking).

• Vascular trauma (when a blood vessel sustains a penetrating or blunt injury). 

• Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) (a rare vascular disorder where one or more arteries have abnormal cellular development in their walls, which causes portions of these affected vessels to narrow or bulge, giving them a beaded appearance instead of a uniform cylinder).

How long does an MRA scan take?

The exact duration of an MRA scan can vary depending on the area (e.g., brain, chest or heart) being examined and whether a contrast agent is used. In general, most MRA scans take between 20 to 60 minutes.

How much does an MRA scan cost?

You can book an MRA scan with us for up to £625. Scan.com is the UK’s largest imaging network, allowing you to make the most convenient choices — your preferred location, time, and budget. At no additional cost, we also deliver a complete care package, including pre- and post-scan clinician consultations with our experienced clinician team, done-for-you scan referral, and digital access to your report and images within days of your scan, so you can feel supported every step of the way—from finding the right scan and preparing for it to understanding your results.

If you are not sure which type of scan or MR angiogram you need, book a consultation for £50 today. A member of our expert clinician team will call to review your medical history, provide tailored advice on the available options, and offer a no-obligation referral to the scan that best suits your specific needs and goals.

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Sources

• Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA). (n.d.). Radiologyinfo.org. Retrieved September 2, 2024, from https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/angiomr 

• Magnetic Resonance Coronary Angiography: Where Are We Today? (2013, January 11). NCBI. Retrieved September 2, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3555236/ 

• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD). (n.d.). NHS. Retrieved September 2, 2024, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/peripheral-arterial-disease-pad/ 

• Types of Vascular Trauma. (n.d.). Tampa General Hospital. Retrieved September 2, 2024, from https://www.tgh.org/institutes-and-services/conditions/vascular-trauma 

• Vascular Disease: Types, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved September 2, 2024, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17604-vascular-disease 

• What are blood vessels, what do they do, and how are they made? (n.d.). British Heart Foundation. Retrieved September 2, 2024, from https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/research/how-are-blood-vessels-made