Vascular and interventional radiologists, often referred to as interventional radiologists or IRs, are board certified fellowship trained doctors who specialize in minimally invasive image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat many medical conditions. For the past 50 years, interventional radiologists have been responsible for much of the innovation behind the minimally invasive treatments that are commonplace today. Interventional radiologists have pioneered the use of many endovascular techniques that are now commonly used by other medical specialties. Angioplasty, the catheter-delivered stent, embolization of blood vessels to stop bleeding and treat tumors and endovenous laser ablation for the treatment of varicose veins and venous disease are just some of the many procedures developed by interventional radiologists.
The concept behind interventional radiology is to use advanced imaging technology to diagnose and treat patients using the least invasive techniques in order to minimize risk to the patient and improve health outcomes. No other medical specialty possesses the unique combination of skills required of interventional radiology, a mastery of both imaging technology and minimally invasive procedural skills. Interventional radiologists can treat many conditions, that once required open surgery, less invasively with less pain, less risk and less recovery time.