Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is used to generate pictures of the arteries in order to evaluate them for stenosis (abnormal narrowing) or aneurysms (vessel wall dilatations, at risk of rupture). MRA is often used to evaluate the arteries of the neck and brain, the thoracic and abdominal aorta, the renal arteries, and the legs (called a "run-off"). A variety of techniques can be used to generate the pictures, such as administration of a paramagnetic contrast agent (gadolinium) or using a technique known as "flow-related enhancement" (e.g. 2D and 3D time-of-flight sequences), where most of the signal on an image is due to blood which has recently moved into that plane, see also FLASH MRI. Magnetic resonance venography (MRV) is a similar procedure that is used to image veins. In this method the tissue is now excited inferiorly while signal is gathered in the plane immediately superior to the excitation plane, and thus imaging the venous blood which has recently moved from the excited plane.

Magnetic Resonance Angiography ( MRA) techniques have been advanced at furious pace. Advances in phase contrast, 2D-TOF and dynamic gadolinium 3D-TOF have led to a reduction in the number of artifacts that have historically compromised MRA image quality. Coupled with advances in gradient technology and software improvements, MRA has become an invaluable noninvasive modality evaluating the vascular system without risks of arterial catheterization, ionizing radiation, or contrast nephrotoxicity. The purpose of this article is to examine MRA new important clinical role in Atherosclerotic Renal Vascular disease (ASRVD), Aortic Dissection, and Peripheral Vascular disease. Atherosclerotic Renal Vascular Disease Scobel et al, performed angiography in patients reaching end-stage renal disease when they had combination of significant hypertension, asymmetric kidneys, unexplained renal failure and systemic atherosclerosis, revealing ASRVD as probable cause in 14% of patients aged 50 years or older. Peripheral Vascular Disease. Peripheral vascular disease is a disease of older patient, typically > 50 years.