Interventional magnetic resonance angiography

Interventional magnetic resonance (MRI) is one of the fastest developing fi elds of MR scanning. Because of the many advantages of MR compared with con ventional angiography, MR-guided intravascular angiography appears to be a promising and an attractive alternative. This article discusses the most re cent developments in this field: Passive visualization techniques, such as catheter visualization using susceptibility-based catheters and field-inhom ogeneity catheters, and active catheter imaging techniques such as tip-trac king and MR profiling. In addition, the principles of endovascular MR are b riefly presented. The current experience with intravascular MR, mostly acqu ired in vitro and in vivo in animal experiments, are reviewed. Finally, fut ure applications and indications for intravascular MR are critically discus sed.