Benefits and Risks – Brain MR Angiography

Benefits

• MRI is a noninvasive imaging technique that does not involve exposure to ionizing radiation.
• Detailed images of blood vessels and blood flow are obtained without having to insert a catheter into the blood vessels, so that there is no risk of damaging a major blood vessel.
• The MR angiography procedure itself may be shorter than a traditional catheter angiogram and requires no recovery period.
• MR angiography is less costly than catheter angiography.
• MR angiography can provide high-quality images of many blood vessels

Risks

• The MRI examination poses almost no risk to the average patient when appropriate safety guidelines are followed.
• If sedation is used, there are risks of excessive sedation. The technologist or nurse monitors your vital signs to minimize this risk.
• Although the strong magnetic field is not harmful in itself, implanted medical devices that contain metal may malfunction or cause problems during an MRI exam.