Magnetic resonance imaging is extremely well suited to the diagnostic evaluation of the cardiovascular system. Over the past few years, more effective pulse sequences for imaging the heart and blood vessels have been developed, and although clinical use of cardiac MRI remains limited the use of MR angiographic techniques to evaluate major blood vessels is one of the fastest growing clinical applications of MRI today. The article reviews the current indications for vascular MRI with emphasis on those that are increasingly accepted by referring clinicians.