Whole-body magnetic resonance angiography

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Vascular Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and vasculitides, are systemic, meaning disease in one area predicts it in others.
• Current diagnostic methods often focus on single affected areas, potentially underestimating the overall disease burden.
• This limited scope overlooks the systemic nature of vascular pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the utility of advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for comprehensive arterial tree assessment.
• To discuss the acquisition techniques, reporting standards, and clinical applications of whole-body MRI for vascular disease.
• To evaluate the current evidence supporting a systemic approach to vascular disease evaluation using MRI.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on advanced MRI techniques for vascular imaging.
• Discussion of standardized protocols for whole-body arterial tree assessment.
• Analysis of clinical studies demonstrating the application and benefits of this comprehensive approach.

Main Results:

• Advanced MRI enables simultaneous evaluation of the entire arterial tree in a single session.
• This holistic approach provides a global assessment of vascular health and disease burden.
• Potential for improved disease staging and personalized treatment strategies.

Conclusions:

• Whole-body MRI offers a paradigm shift in evaluating systemic vascular diseases.
• This comprehensive imaging approach addresses the limitations of single-territory assessments.
• It facilitates a more accurate understanding of disease extent and patient risk stratification.