Chest/abdomen (aorta) MRA protocol

Indications

This protocol is used for routine evaluation of the aorta from the aortic root to the iliac bifurcation, typically to evaluate for aneurysm and/or dissection. The protocol is remarkably similar to that of the chest MRA, but requires two injections of contrast to obtain arterial phase imaging of both the thoracic and abdominal aorta. We inject 0.1 mmol/kg gadobenate dimeglumine for each.

Preparation

• IV contrast agent: Gadobenate dimeglumine 0.2 mmol/kg (total) at 2 cc/s

• Oral contrast agent: None

• 2 L nasal oxygen

• At least 22-gauge IV; connect to power injector

• Scan with patient's arms overhead, if patient can tolerate, for smallest field of view possible

• All sequences are cardiac-gated except the SPGRs.