What is Trauma?
 Trauma is a serious injury or shock to the body. It is caused by a physical force such as violence or an accident. The injury may be complicated by psychiatric, behavioral, and social factors.
It is critical to have an entire team immediately available to provide care to an injured patient 24-hours a day. This teamwork starts at the scene of the injury where a coordinated, statewide pre-hospital medical system rapidly transports the injured patient from the scene to the hospital providing the appropriate level of care according to criteria established in the statewide trauma regulations. Once at the hospital, a complete team of surgeons, emergency physicians and nurses continue the life-saving treatment.
This team approach to care of the injured patient has had a dramatic impact on saving lives.
Minimally Invasive Procedures for Massive Bleeding
Injuries take many forms. The most advanced hospitals can treat injuries with a variety of approaches that involve well-known ones, like surgery, and newer ones where minimally invasive procedures can replace some surgeries.
As a Level 1 Trauma Center, Hartford Hospital has Interventional Radiologists as part of the Trauma Team. They perform procedures such as "embolization" which is a recognized interventional radiology technique that is used to treat trauma patients with massive bleeding.
Click here to see some of the advanced interventional techniques available at Hartford Hospital.
Learn more about trauma, or search below to learn about other health conditions. |
Definition | Reasons for Test | Possible Complications
| What to Expect | Call Your Doctor
Definition
MRA is a study of the blood vessels using
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer, an MRA makes two-dimensional and three-dimensional pictures.
Reasons for Test
This test is done in order to:
- Identify diseased, narrowed, enlarged, and blocked blood vessels
- Locate internal bleeding
Possible Complications
MRIs can be harmful if you have metal inside your body such as joint replacements or a pacemaker. Make sure your doctor knows of any internal metal before the test. Some people may also have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye. Talk to your doctor about any allergies you have. Also, let your doctor know if you have liver or kidney problems. These may make it difficult for your body to get rid of the contrast.
What to ExpectBefore the test, your doctor may: -
Ask about your medical history
-
Perform a
physical exam
- Do blood tests
If your doctor prescribes a sedative:
- Arrange for a ride home.
- Do not eat or drink for at least four hours before the exam.
- Take the sedative 1-2 hours before the exam, or as directed.
At the MRI center, you will be asked if you have something in your body that would interfere with the MRA, such as:
- Pacemaker
or implantable defibrillator
- Neurostimulator
- Ear implant
- Metal fragments in your eyes or in any other part of your body
- Implanted port device, such as an insulin pump
- Metal plate, pins, screws, or surgical staples
- Metal clips from aneurysm repair
- Retained bullets
- Any other large metal objects in your body
You may be:
- Given earplugs or headphones to wear. The MRI machine makes a loud banging noise.
- Given an injection of a contrast dye into your vein.
- Allowed to have a family member or friend with you during the test.
If contrast is used, a small IV needle will be inserted into your hand or arm before you are moved into the MRI machine. The contrast will be injected during one set of images. It helps to make some organs and vessels easier to see on the pictures. You might have an allergic reaction to the dye, but this is rare You will lie on a special table. This table will be moved inside the opening of the MRI machine. Most MRIs consist of 2-6 sets of images. Each one will take between 2-15 minutes. You will need to lie still while the images are being taken. You may need to hold your breath briefly. Technicians will communicate with you through an intercom from another room. - You will be asked to wait at the facility while the images are examined. The technician may need more images.
- If you took a sedative, do not drive or operate machinery until it wears off.
-
If you are
breastfeeding
and receive contrast dye, you and your doctor should discuss when you should restart breastfeeding. Information available has not found any ill effects to the baby if a breastfeeding mother has had contrast dye.
-
Be sure to follow your doctor's
instructions.
The test is painless. If contrast is used, you may experience a stinging sensation when the IV is inserted. Your doctor will discuss the findings with you and any treatment you may need. Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor if any of the following occur:
- New or worsening symptoms
- Allergic or abnormal symptoms if contrast material was used
If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.
MR angiography (MRA). Radiological Society of North America Radiology Info website. Available at:
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=angiomr. Updated July 2, 2012. Accessed May 20, 2013.
What is cardiac MRI? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/mri/. Updated February 2, 2012. Accessed May 20, 2013.
Yucel EK, Anderson CM, Edelman RR, et al. Magnetic resonance angiography:
update on applications for extracranial arteries.
Circulation. 1999;100:2284. Last reviewed May 2013 by Michael J. Fucci, DO; Brian Randall, MD Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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