What does MRA of the C& W mean?

Answer 1

Here is some info on MRA for you...but without more info I couldn't tell you what the C&W would mean. Hope this helps.
Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA)

Test Overview

A magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to provide pictures of blood vessels inside the body. It is a type of magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan. In many cases, MRA can provide information that cannot be obtained from an X-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scan.

MRA can detect problems with the blood vessels that may be causing reduced blood flow. With MRA, both the blood flow and the condition of the blood vessel walls can be seen. The test is often used to evaluate the blood vessels leading to the brain, kidneys, and legs. Information from an MRA can be saved and stored on a computer for further study. Photographs of selected views can also be made. See an illustration of an MRA.

During MRA, the area of the body being studied is positioned inside an MRI machine. Contrast material is often used during MRA to make blood vessels show up more clearly.

While MRA is a safe and valuable test for looking at blood vessels inside the body, it is more expensive than other imaging techniques, and it may not be available in all medical centers.

Why It Is Done

A magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) is done to detect:

A bulge (aneurysm), clot, or the buildup of fat and calcium deposits (stenosis caused by plaque) in the blood vessels leading to the brain.
Narrowing (stenosis) of the blood vessels leading to the lungs, kidneys, or legs.
How To Prepare

Before a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA), tell your health professional if you:

Have a pacemaker, artificial limb, any metal pins or metal fragments in your body (especially in the eyes), metal heart valves, metal clips in your brain, metal implants in your ear, tattooed eyeliner, or any other implanted or prosthetic medical device (such as a medication infusion pump). Also, tell your health professional if you have worked around metal or if you have recently had surgery on a blood vessel. In some cases you may not be able to have the MRA test done.
Have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place. An IUD may prevent you from having MRA.
Are or might be pregnant.
Have allergies of any kind (such as hay fever, hives, food or medication allergies, or asthma). The contrast material used for MRA does not contain iodine. If you have a known allergy to the contrast material used for MRA, tell your health professional before having another test. Sometimes the benefits of having this test may outweigh the risks.
Have any other health conditions. Some conditions, such as serious kidney problems and sickle cell anemia, may prevent you from having an MRA.
Become very nervous in confined spaces. You need to lie very still inside the MRI machine, so you may need to have the test done with open MRI equipment that is not as confining as conventional MRI machines or you may need medication to help you stay relaxed. However, some blood vessels may not be seen clearly with an open low-field MRI scanner.
If you are having blood flow studies, avoid the following before the test:

Eating or drinking for 2 hours, including alcohol or caffeinated beverages
Using tobacco products
Taking iron supplements
Talk to your health professional about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will indicate. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form(What is a PDF document?).

If a sedative will be used during the test, arrange for someone to take you home after the test.

If you are breast-feeding and contrast material is used during the test, give your baby formula for 1 to 2 days after the procedure until the contrast material has passed from your body.

How It Is Done

A magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) test is usually done by a magnetic resonance image (MRI) technologist. The resulting pictures are usually interpreted by a radiologist. However, some other types of doctors (such as a neurologist or neurosurgeon) can also interpret an MRA scan.

Before the test

Remove all metal objects, such as hearing aids, dentures, jewelry, watches, hairpins, wigs, and eyeglasses, from your body because these objects may be attracted to the powerful magnet used for the test.
Take off all or most of your clothes, depending on which area is examined. You may be allowed to keep on your underwear if it does not interfere with the test. You will be given a cloth or paper covering to use during the test.
Empty your pockets of any coins and cards, such as credit cards or ATM cards, with scanner strips on them, because the MRI magnet will erase the information encoded on the cards if you are allowed to keep on some of your clothes.
During the test

You will lie on your back on a table that is part of the MRI scanner.
Your head, chest, and arms may be held with straps to help you remain still.
The table will slide into a space that contains the magnet. Depending on the part of your body to be examined, your head, limbs (such as your legs), or your entire body will be moved into the center of the magnet. Some MRI machines (open MRI) are now made so that the magnet does not surround the person being tested. Open MRI is less confining than a standard MRI but may not provide the same quality of image.
Inside the scanner, you may hear a fan and feel air moving. You may also hear tapping or thumping noises as the MRA scans are taken. It is important to hold completely still while the scan is being done. Otherwise, repeat scans may be needed.
You will probably be alone in the scanner room. However, the technologist will watch you through an observation window, and you will be able to talk to him or her through an intercom.
If contrast material is going to be used during your test, it will be injected into a vein (intravenous, IV), usually in your arm, over 1 to 2 minutes. Then additional MRA scans are done.

MRA usually takes 30 to 90 minutes, but because of delays that can occur, you should allow at least 2 hours for the test.

How It Feels

You will feel no discomfort from the magnetic field or radio waves used for a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA). However, the table you lie on may feel hard and the room may be chilly. You may become uncomfortable from lying in one position for a long time.

Some people feel discomfort or anxiety (claustrophobia) inside the MRI magnet. If this keeps you from lying still, you can be given a sedative to help you relax. Open MRI machines are less confining than standard MRI and may be helpful if you are claustrophobic.

Risks

There are no known harmful effects from the strong magnetic field used for a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA). However, the magnetic field is so powerful that it can send metal objects flying across the room and can pull a stethoscope out of a health professional's pocket. The magnet may affect pacemakers, artificial limbs, and other medical devices that contain iron. There is also a risk that metal objects coming near the magnet may become dangerous as they are pulled toward the magnet. The magnetic field will also stop a watch that is within several yards of the magnet.

There is slight risk of developing an allergic reaction if contrast material is used during the MRA scan. Most reactions can be controlled using medication.

Results

A magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to provide pictures of blood vessels inside the body. The radiologist may discuss preliminary results of your magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) with you right after the test. Complete results are usually available for your health professional in 1 to 2 days.

Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) Normal:
The blood vessels appear normal and the blood flow through them is not reduced or stopped. No blood clots or significant plaque buildup is seen.

Blood vessel walls are normal. No bulges (aneurysms) in the walls are seen.

Abnormal:
Partial or complete blockage of a blood vessel may be seen. Blockage may be caused by a blood clot, the buildup of fat and calcium deposits (plaque), or narrowing (stenosis) of the blood vessel.

A bulge (aneurysm) in the blood vessel wall may be seen. Damage to the wall of a blood vessel may be seen.


Conventional angiogram or computerized tomography angiogram (CT angiogram) may be needed after MRA if a problem (such as an aneurysm) is present or if surgery is being considered.

What Affects the Test

Factors that can interfere with your test and the accuracy of the results include:

Pregnancy. Although the strong magnetic field used for a magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) does not appear to be harmful, MRA usually is not done during pregnancy. If a view of the abdomen of a pregnant woman is needed, an ultrasound test may be done instead.
Medical devices that contain metal, that can malfunction or cause problems during an MRA scan. Therefore, this test is often not done for a woman who has an intrauterine device (IUD) or for a person who has a pacemaker, certain types of artificial limbs, or a medication infusion pump in place.
Movement during the test. The results of MRA may not be accurate if you cannot remain still during the test.
Being overweight and not fitting into the opening of some MRI scanners.
What To Think About

An advantage of magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) is that no radiation is involved.
Open magnetic resonance image(MRI) machines are now made so that the magnet does not completely surround the person being tested; however, these machines may not be available in all medical centers. Open MRI is useful for people who are claustrophobic or obese. Open MRI machines vary in their construction and strength. Open high-field-strength MRI scanners have short, wider tunnels and widely flared ends so that they are much less confining than the older tunnel style. Open low-field MRI scanners are less confining than high-field machines and are most commonly shaped like two large discs separated by 2 to 4 large pillars. However, some blood vessels may not be seen clearly with an open low-field MRI scanner. For this reason, certain MRA examinations cannot be done using an open low-field-strength MRI scanner.
Conventional angiogram or computerized tomography angiogram (CT angiogram) may be done to investigate abnormal results found during MRA, especially if surgery is being considered to treat the problem.
MRA results may indicate an aneurysm is present when it is not (false-positive). It may also show no aneurysm when one is present. MRA is most accurate for larger blood vessels.
It is recommended that an MRA be delayed 6 weeks after the placement of a stent in the coronary arteries of the heart to reduce the risk of movement of the stent by the magnet used in the MRA.
Credits
Author Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer Caroline S. Rhoads, MD

- Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC

- Interventional Cardiology
Last Updated August 16, 2004


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