Interventional radiology procedures can be used on several parts of the body, including your heart. For cardiovascular care, interventional radiologists use image-guided techniques to diagnose or internally treat a disease.
Conditions we treat include:
- Peripheral vascular disease – Interventional radiologists use balloons or stents to stretch and open narrowed arteries. IR doctors may also infuse clot-busting drugs directly into an artery.
- Aneurysms – IR doctors treat aneurysms (expanded arteries at risk of rupture and bleeding) by covering the blood vessel with a stent graft, restoring blood flow while bypassing the aneurysm.
- Bleeding – This is the most common vascular emergency. IR doctors can block a blood vessel with a stent graft or balloon.
- Pulmonary embolism – IR doctors can place a filter that captures blood clots before they enter the lung, or break up a clot using small catheter tubes to restore blood flow.
- IVC filter placement and removal – If you have a blood clot, an inferior vena cava filter can save your life. However, once they’ve done their job, IVC filters often need to be removed. Interventional radiologists at PAMF specialize in removing difficult filters.
- Blood clots – A blood clot can lead to blocked veins and conditions such as venous thrombosis and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Interventional radiologists remove these clots through a small catheter.
- Varicose veins – Interventional radiologists use the latest technologies, including glue (VenaSeal), foam injection, and laser and radiofrequency ablation, to remove swollen and diseased veins.
- Uterine fibroids – These benign tumors can cause heavy menstrual bleeding or pain. Interventional radiologists block blood vessels with uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). Recovery time is significantly better compared with hysterectomy.
- Prostate embolization – Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) causes frequent urination or urinary retention. Interventional radiologists navigate a small catheter to block the blood flow to the abnormally enlarged prostate zone, causing it to shrink without the need for surgery or other invasive procedures.
Interventional radiologists are specialists trained in image-guided, minimally invasive procedures and are also skilled in treating cancers through Interventional Oncology, including biopsies, ablations and embolization.
