MRA in cerebrovascular disease.

Abstract

Stroke is a major cause of disability and death each year in the United States. Most cases result from atherosclerotic disease at the carotid bifurcations. The risk of such events can be reduced by carotid endarterectomy in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with severe occlusive disease documented by imaging studies. A noninvasive means of determining the degree of stenosis is desirable due to morbidity, mortality, and cost associated with catheter angiography. At the present time the main role of MRA is as a screening test to determine who should undergo catheter angiography.