MR angiography of internal A-V fistulae

Abstract

We carried out 2-D phase contrast MR-angiography of internal A-V fistulae with a 1.5T MRI unit (GE SIGNA PERFORMANCE PLUS). The usefulness of this method as compared with angiography (DSA) is discussed. Eight hemodialysis patients were examined. The images of MR angiography were somewhat inferior to those of DSA because of lower spatial resolution, but MR angiography clearly demonstrated internal A-V fistulae and vessel stenosis without the necessity of injecting contrast medium into the artery. It is concluded that MR angiography may be a relatively noninvasive, though still reliable, technique for evaluating internal A-V fistulae.