Interventional Imaging

A subspecialty of interventional radiology (IR) uses image-guided, minimally-invasive procedures to diagnose and treat various diseases. Interventional radiologists rely on angiography, mobile C-arm and fluoroscopy imaging systems to perform thrombolysis, embolization, biopsies, vascular and other minimally invasive procedures, which can reduce recovery time, risk and costs. Find more IR content on the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) page.

FDA announces recall of Boston Scientific's Obsidio Conformable Embolic

Boston Scientific updates instructions for recalled embolic agent linked to multiple deaths

The premixed embolic agent is designed to embolize hypervascular tumors and occlude blood flow in a patient's peripheral blood vessels. It was recalled in April due to safety concerns.

Banner ASC in Sun City, Arizona.

Low doses of radiation still increase risk of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma

A new study found cumulative radiation exposure of 16 mSv to red bone marrow can cause an increased rate of some hematological malignancies.

Is ultrasound necessary for all interventional procedures requiring femoral artery access?

Several such IR procedures require US guidance, but a new study is questioning the modality’s effectiveness in reducing complication rates. 

doctor looking at CLTI patient's leg

Interventional procedure gives osteoarthritis patients years of pain relief

Genicular artery embolization targets synovial blood vessel abnormalities believed to cause painful inflammation that contributes to the severe discomfort most patients experience with OA.

Banner ASC in Sun City, Arizona.

Women urged to overcome radiation fears, consider a career in interventional cardiology

"The underrepresentation of women in interventional cardiology is a significant concern," according to one cardiologist behind the new campaign. 

Map of Congressional districts and the rate of amputations based on medicare data showing Mississippi delta region with the highest number of amputation procedures per year. Dr. Fakorede located his practice there to try and combat extremely the high PAD and CLI rates.

PAD is a public health crisis say cardiovascular societies

September is peripheral artery disease (PAD) awareness month, and medical societies are using it to promote awareness for patients and referring physicians to act against the debilitating disease.
 

Video interview with Elizabeth Ann Ignacio, MD, FSIR, FACR., chair of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Small and Rural Practices Committee and president of the Hawaii Medical Association, who explains the challenges facing rural healthcare providers and the key reasons for burnout.

Interventional radiologist burnout and retention in rural areas largely related to administrative burdens

"A significant part of burnout stems from the overwhelming administrative burden," explains Elizabeth Ann Ignacio, MD, FSIR, FACR, chair of the SIR Small and Rural Practices Committee.

ChatGPT large language models radiology health care

GPT-4 is better at explaining IR procedures than physicians

The demand for interventional radiology procedures is growing, but it is a specialty for which health literacy is lacking.

Around the web

RBMA President Peter Moffatt discusses declining reimbursement rates, recruiting challenges and the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the industry.

Deepak Bhatt, MD, director of the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital and principal investigator of the TRANSFORM trial, explains an emerging technique for cardiac screening: combining coronary CT angiography with artificial intelligence for plaque analysis to create an approach similar to mammography.

A total of 16 cardiology practices from 12 states settled with the DOJ to resolve allegations they overbilled Medicare for imaging agents used to diagnose cardiovascular disease.