Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe

Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe

Patient Awareness

Interventional Radiology:your minimally invasive alternative

www.cirse.org

Over the last twenty years, interventional radiology hasgained momentum offering an invaluable alternative toopen surgery.

In the majority of cases, it allows for shorter hospital stays,general anaesthesia is not usually required and the risk,pain and recovery times are reduced compared to conven-tional surgery.

Interventional Radiology

Patient Awareness

What is Interventional Radiology?

Interventional radiology is a branch of radiology, specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide spec-trum of conditions by performing minimally invasive ther-apetic procedures.

Cross-section of body artery: Increasing degree of atherosclerotic artery damage

The following imaging techniques guide these procedures:• X-ray• ultrasound• magnetic resonance (MR)• computed tomography (CT)

Catheters with guide wires, usually only 1-2 millimetres in diameter, are guided through blood vessels or other organ pathways to treat at the site of disease.

The body parts and systems that can be treated using interventional radiology techniques are:• abdomen (intestine, kidneys, liver, stomach)• central nervous system (brain, spine)• chest (lungs, pleurae)• heart & vascular (arteries, veins, haemodialysis access)• musculoskeletal (bones, joints, spine)• genitourinary (uterus, testes, kidneys)• other organs and soft tissues

Interventional radiologists have pioneered these high qualityprocedures and standards for performing minimally invasivemedicine with a concentration on patient safety.

Interventional radiologists are doctors specialising in ra diology. They have completed further education andexpert training in diagnostic radiology and interventionalradiology including radiation safety, radiation physics, thebiological effects of radiation, injury prevention and clini-cal practice; allowing for patient consultations as a resultof direct referral.

Interventional Radiology

I consult a radiologist who examines my files and informsme of the interventional treat-ments which may be suitable.

During this consultation, the radiologist carries out a clinical examination.

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My Interventional Radiology Journey:From First Consultation to Treatment30 days before procedure

10 days before procedure

I undergo further scans or imaging tests (X-ray, MRI or ultrasound) in order to locate my lesion and determine whetheran interventional procedurewould be appropriate in my case.

During this examination, the radiologist is assisted by a radiology technician.

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Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe

Patient Awareness

C RSE

In the preparation room, I am welcomed by a nurse whochecks my files, my blood pressure and other vital signs.

I leave the preparation room andam transported by an attendantto the examination room.

30 minutes before procedure

10 minutes before procedure

On my way to the examinationroom

Through the entrance of theexamination room, I can see theinterventional radiologist and atechnician as well as part of theequipment which will be used toguide my treatment.

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Interventional Radiology

In the control room, I can seenurses and technicians whorun the radiology equipmentand analyse the imagesunder the supervision of theinterventional radiologist.

The interventional radi-ologist as well as someof the nurses and techni-cians remain by my sidethroughout the wholeprocedure.

After the intervention, I am taken to the re -covery room where thepuncture site is com-pressed to stop thebleeding.

Compression bandagesare then applied and Ican return to my hospi-tal room for one or twonights.

30 minutes after procedure

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The examination room and procedure

Next to me, there are se veral screens whichshow the interven-tional radiologistimages of my lesionduring the course ofthe procedure as wellas my vital signs.

Above me, I can seethe radiology equip-ment that transmitsimages of my bodyas well as the siteand condition of mylesion on the screens.

On the other side, Ican see the cupboardthat contains equip-ment and apparatusto be used during theprocedure, for exam-ple guide wires bal-loons and stents.

Patient Awareness

C RSE

How is an arterial catheter introduced at the beginning of a procedure?

The interventional radiologistinjects local anaesthetic in thearea to be punctured.

The interventional radiologistperforms the puncture.

With the needle removed, a short plastic tube remains inplace through which someblood can flow.

The guide wire is then introduced.

The plastic tube is removed,only the guide wire remains inplace.

The sheath slides over the guidewire which will allow for the de -livery of medication or material.

Interventional Radiology

The sheath is gradually insertedinto the skin.

The sheath is now in place andthe guide wire protrudes fromthe sheath.

The dilator and the guide wireare removed simultaneously.

The sheath is then flushed by injecting saline water.

The intervention itself can nowbegin: the guide wire andcatheter are inserted and guid-ed up to the lesion, e.g. plaqueor fibroid.

OrganisationCIRSE Central Officewww.cirse.org

Medical IllustrationsEmilie Delattreemidel@voila.frin cooperation withMarc R. Sapoval

Graphical ConceptLOOP.ENTERPRISES mediawww.loop-enterprises.com

All rights reserved by CIRSECardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe2011