INTERVENTIONAL PROCEDURES

Angiography Suite at
St Vincents

Advancing technology now means that minimally-invasive procedures can be used with increasing frequency to treat patients suffering from a variety of disease processes.

In the case of vascular surgery, Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty, ( PTA), and stenting are now alternative treatments to bypass surgery.

Most interventional procedures are carried out in an angiogram suite, using DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography) imaging.

Interventional radiology combines image based diagnosis with minimally invasive therapy. The interventional radiologist is specialized in targeting treatment using imaging modalities such as X-ray, ultrasound and CT for guidance. Using non-surgical techniques, catheters can be guided through blood vessels or the skin directly to the source of the problem for direct treatment. Identification of the problem can be made with angiography, ultrasound or x-ray, with the best access path being mapped out. By using the various catheters and stents, stenosed or short segmentally occluded arteries can be re-opened via the intra luminal approach. With most blood vessels access is gained via the groin or the arm. The risks involved in an intervention radiology procedure are much lower than the risk of open surgery. Some of the benefits include:

• Most procedures can be performed on a short hospital stay or outpatient basis.
• Risk, pain and recovery time are often significantly reduced.
• A general anesthetic is usually not required.
• Procedures can be less expensive than surgery or other alternatives.

A variety of treatments and services are available using interventional radiology.

A tight renal artery stenosis
is opened up using balloon
angioplasty and stenting techniques.

• Aortic aneurysms
• Endoluminal stenting.
• Carotid stenosis
• Stenting and angioplasty using protection devices.
• Arterial blockages
• Angioplasty and stenting.
• Varicose vein treatment
• Injection and vein ablation
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Thrombolysis and filter placement
• Chemoembolization of tumours
• Uterine fibroid embolization.
• PICC line placement
• Cavity Drainage

Our consultant interventional radiologist is
Dr. John Vrazas

Bookings can be made on
03 9411 7165
03 8415 1279