The prevalence of symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) ranges around 3% in patients aged 40 and 6% at an age of 60 years. Additionally, the prevalence of asymptomatic PAD lies between 3% and 10% in the general population increasing to 15% to 20% in persons older than 70 years of age. However, these data still might underestimate the total prevalence of PAD since screening studies showed that between 10% and 50% of all patients with intermittent claudication (IC) never consult a doctor about their symptoms. These data prove the need for an accurate and reliable method for assessment of the peripheral vasculature. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) still serves as the reference standard for all vascular imaging techniques. However, because of the absence of ionizing radiation, the use of non-nephrotoxic contrast agents or even non contrast-enhanced sequences and the large toolbox of available techniques for high-resolution static and dynamic imaging Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) constitute an excellent non-invasive alternative. Different acquisition schemes and contrast agent application protocols as well as different types of data sampling for static, dynamic, contrast- and non contrast-enhanced imaging enable to tailor each exam to a specific question and patient respectively.

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References

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