MRA Aneurysm Symptoms

The scan known as an MRA, a magnetic resonance angiogram, is a specialized type of magnetic resonance imaging used to diagnose circulatory system problems and disorders. MRA scans are often used to specifically look at blood vessels since they are capable of providing more detailed images of these vessels than other types of diagnostic scans. Aneurysms are commonly diagnosed using MRA scans and display specific characteristics the scan is designed to highlight and identify.

Aneurysms

• Aneurysms are abnormal, swollen portions of an arterial blood vessel. They occur at portions of the artery that have become weakened through damage or through excessive blood pressure. If the aneurysm ruptures, the resulting blood loss can cause a number of serious health complications, even death. Aneurysms can occur in any arterial vessels in the body, however they are most common in the aorta or in arteries leading directly to the brain.

Brain Aneurysm Symptoms

• During an MRA, a possible brain aneurysm can be identified in one of three ways: the presence of an abnormal bulge in an artery leading to the brain, sluggish blood circulation through the brain arteries, or excessive plaque buildup along the inner walls of the brain arteries which may lead to increased pressure on the walls of the artery elsewhere.

Cardiac Aneurysm Symptoms

• Cardiac aneurysms are identified with an MRA by the presence of swollen or "ballooned" out portions of the aorta, the largest artery leaving the heart. These bulges can occur in either the thoracic or abdominal portions of the aorta. An MRA is also capable of highlighting weakened or torn parts of the aortic wall where a cardiac aneurysm may be likely to occur.

Procedure

• An MRA is conducted within an MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, machine. A contrast substance, such as barium or iodine, is first injected into the individual's circulatory system. The person is then moved into the imaging portion of the machine where a combination of magnetic fields and pulsed waves show computerized images of the body. The contrast substance allows the blood vessels to show up clearly in the images.

Advantages

• The use of an MRA to diagnose aneurysms has two main advantages: it has no health risks involved with the procedure and it is noninvasive. Other techniques used to diagnose aneurysms involve injecting contrast dye directly into arteries that have a catheter inserted into them, then using X-ray scans to view the blood vessels. Unlike the MRA, this technique is difficult and has risks attached to its use.