The use of magnetic resonance angiography for assessment of stenotic and occlusive lesions of arteries of lower extremities in patients with intermittent claudication

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was used for non-invasive visualization of peripheral arteries in 36 patients with intermitten claudication. In 22 patients results of two-dimensional time-of-flight MRA were prospectively compared with data of conventional contrast arteriography. Overall 220 arterial segments were evaluated. Sensitivity and specificity of MRA for diagnosis of arterial occlusions were 97 and 100%, for diagnosis of 60% or greater stenoses including total occlusions - 92 and 96%, respectively. Length of occlusions and level of blood flow restoration were correctly determined in all cases. Thus MRA appeared to be highly informative technique for diagnosis of stenoses and occlusions of arteries of lower extremities.