Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) of blood vessels

Courtesy of Intermountain Medical Imaging, Boise, Idaho.

Figure 1 and Figure 2 show MRAs of the normal smooth appearance of the large blood vessel (aorta) that carries blood from the heart.

Figure 3 shows an MRA of a narrowed and abnormal aorta from the buildup of calcium and fat (cholesterol) in the inner lining of the artery, often called "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis).

ByHealthwise Staff

Primary Medical ReviewerRakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology

Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine

Specialist Medical ReviewerGeorge Philippides, MD - Cardiology

Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine

Current as ofMarch 20, 2017

Current as of: March 20, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & George Philippides, MD - Cardiology & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine