8 Incredible Benefits of Interventional Radiology for Patients and Providers

The origin story of interventional radiology goes back to the twentieth century, when Dr. Charles Dotter performed the first percutaneous transluminal angioplasty--using a catheter to open a blocked blood vessel in the leg.

This procedure ultimately paved the way for the continued development of modern interventional radiology and image-guided procedures. By combining ultrasound, CT imaging, x-rays, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and robotics with a catheter, interventional radiologists can perform targeted image-guided procedures with pinpoint precision.

Crucially, they can then avoid traditional surgery.

Interventional radiology (IR) is a rapidly-evolving field of medicine that enhances patient outcomes through the use of minimally invasive procedures. Interventional radiology has had and will continue to have a transformational impact due to its evolving nature and many benefits.

Let's take a look at some of those benefits.

Key benefits of interventional radiology

Whether you are a patient looking ahead to a procedure or a healthcare provider, the words "interventional radiology" should be music to your ears. Here's why.

1. Interventional radiology is less invasive

You'll see terms like "minimally invasive treatments" a lot when you look into interventional radiology—but they don't really convey how minimal it truly is.

By using tiny incisions or punctures, which are often not larger than a pinhole, the surgeon can perform minimally invasive procedures that may be lifesaving and sustaining. With angioplasty, embolization or biopsies, patients today don't need to endure a larger incision.

This results in less scarring and less pain than the same surgeries would have caused in generations prior.

2. Interventional radiology reduces risks

Throughout my experience in primary care, I sometimes saw patients with decreased blood flow or blood clots from worsening peripheral artery disease (PAD). I’d refer them to a physician who might need to open up the blocked artery by using interventional radiology and minimally-invasive techniques.

In these instances, the physician would guide a balloon catheter via advanced imaging to open the blocked artery and restore blood flow without open traditional surgery.

The small incision used in interventional radiology also means fewer risks of infection and blood loss. The precision of IR procedures also minimizes damage to surrounding tissues, further protecting the patient.

For example, in cancer treatments with interventional oncology, a technique called radiofrequency ablation targets tumors with extreme accuracy, sparing tissue and offering alternative options for patients who cannot undergo surgery.

3. Shorter recovery times and less cost

Most IR procedures are outpatient procedures or require short hospital stays, which means patients experience less disruption of their regular life (and less costs for hospital stays).

On the provider side of things, it also allows hospitals to treat more patients than they otherwise could have if resources, space and staff were seeing to patients still in recovery from open surgery.

For example, after a uterine fibroid embolization procedure (which treats symptomatic fibroids by cutting off their blood supply) patients can often resume their normal activities in days.

In comparison, traditional surgery often takes patients weeks to recover from.

4. Patient-centered care and increased trust

Interventional radiologists prioritize personalized patient care by tailoring treatments to the individual needs of the patient.

Working within multidisciplinary teams, interventional radiologists ensure patients receive the best treatment option for their situation. Receiving clear communication about IR procedures, risks and benefits empowers most patients to make informed choices, fostering trust and confidence through patient care. The shorter recovery times and lowered risk of IR also help support that patient trust.

5. Interventional radiology is versatile across specialties

Interventional radiology's adaptability allows it to span multiple medical specialties and address diverse conditions. IR procedures are used in many medical specialties including pain medicine, radiology and vascular medicine.

6. Overall enhanced patient comfort

Interventional radiology procedures typically require only local anesthesia or mild sedation. This eliminated the risks that come from general anesthesia, and the small incision and IR procedure heals faster than traditional surgery.

The individual patient also experiences less pain after the operation. In most IR treatments, like vertebroplasty (where bone cement stabilizes vertebral fractures) IR offers quick relief without major traditional open surgery or general anesthesia.

7. It's cost-effective in several ways

By shortening inpatient hospital stays and reducing surgical needs, interventional radiology procedures tend to be considerably more affordable for all involved. Saving the expense of longer, overnight stays, general anesthesia and the healthcare specialists connected to that—it can all add up.

For example, a clogged or narrowed dialysis fistula fixed with IR treatments can help patients avoid repeated hospital visits, benefiting both patients and the healthcare systems they're working with.

8. It's super cool

In interventional radiology, advanced imaging technologies allow the physician to visualize internal structures in real time.

For example, fluoroscopy is when an x-ray is used to create a real-time video of inside the body. With this video, the physician can guide their instruments, such as catheters and needles, to the precise location needed in the body.

The interventional radiology team can use contrast dye to further enhance the visibility of specific organs or vessels during the fluoroscopy and diagnose or treat the patient based on what they find.

Emerging innovations in interventional radiology

Interventional radiology and its minimally-invasive nature continue to evolve with groundbreaking technologies, offering radiologists and health professionals new ways to address patients' issues in time-saving, cost-saving and even less-invasive ways.

Here are some of the enhancements on the horizon for this field.

Robotic assisted procedures

Robots continue to play a larger role in surgical procedures, particularly for their precision and ability to help diagnose and treat issues in hard-to-reach locations.

Artificial intelligence

AI is exponentially improving and can assist physicians in both analysis and procedural guidance, which can boost accuracy.

Biodegradable devices

Technology and medical devices that disappear or degrade naturally over time, such as temporary stents and embolic agents, can reduce long term risks and treat conditions more effectively and sustainably.

Theranostics

Theranostics combines diagnostics and therapeutic treatment to diagnose and treat diseases and issues in the body and represents the future of personalized medicine. Radiopharmaceuticals, which identifies and targets specific cancers, is an emerging addition to cancer treatments and an example of theranostics.

With continued advancements in technology, the many benefits of interventional radiology promises increased ability to care for patients, cementing its role as a cornerstone of patient-centered medicine.

Interventional radiology and the future

Interventional radiology is a growing field with plenty to offer those who are interested.

If you find this field as fascinating as I do, there are many ways you can become involved in medical imaging technology and care. The types of professionals involved in IR include...

• Interventional radiologists (physicians)¹
• Interventional radiology technologists
• Registered nurses (specializing in interventional radiology)
• Radiology assistants (with specialized training in interventional radiology procedures)

Rasmussen's Associate's in Radiologic Technology program can be completed in as few as 24 months.²

The AART^® even offers certification for professionals who want to specialize in IR. Vascular interventional radiology involves assisting physicians with these IR procedures, capturing the necessary images.

Most people don't know that roles like radiologic technologist are even an option. And these careers are so fascinating!

Check out What Is an Interventional Radiology Technologist? A Look Inside This IR Career to see how interventional radiology looks from that point of view.

ARRT^® is a registered trademark of American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

¹ Medical school is required to become an interventional radiologist, specialized training and/or certifications beyond graduating from a radiologic technology degree program may be required to work as an interventional radiology technologist, relevant clinical experience and/or additional certification is required to work as a registered nurse who specializes in interventional radiology, and completion of a radiology assistant program, relevant work experience and/or certification may be required to work as a radiology assistant specializing in interventional radiology. Rasmussen University does not offer any programs that would lead to career outcomes of interventional radiologist and radiology assistant.
² Completion time is dependent on the number of courses completed each term.