Interventional Services & Technology
This advanced subspecialty within radiology relies on guided imagery and minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and sometimes treat conditions such as a narrowed or blocked arteries. Patients often find that these procedures typically have less risk, less pain and a shorter recovery time than traditional surgical procedures.
The team works closely with vascular and general surgery teams to provide 24-hour angiography and minimally invasive vascular interventional procedures for patients in the hospital and emergency room. We also perform many image-guided minimally invasive procedures on patients everyday that allow quick recovery at home rather than admission to the hospital. Our highly trained staff includes three fellowship-trained vascular and interventional radiologists as well as a fellowship-trained neuroradiologist.
Highly Advanced Imaging Systems
Our interventional radiology suite includes state-of-the-art technology and systems including flat-panel 3-D X-ray, a single-plane Phillips Allura FD20 and a Phillips Allura FD20/10 biplane mixed cardiovascular X-ray system. We were the first hospital in South Carolina to offer this highly detailed technology to patients. With the suite, our team can provide a range of intricate and complex cardiac and vascular interventions.
How do I prepare?
Generally, these procedures utilize advanced X-ray scanners and can include the use of a contrast dye to create detailed images of the blood vessels. Before your procedure, your physician will guide you about suspending some medications and you will be asked to not eat anything after midnight the night before your procedure. You will not be able to drive afterward, so be sure to make travel arrangements in advance.
What should I expect?
Once you are positioned on the exam table, an area around your groin will be shaved. This is where your doctor will insert the catheter to capture images. You will not feel the catheter moving to the study area. After the images are gathered, the catheter is removed and pressure is applied to the insertion point. You will need to lie flat between two and six hours.
