Blood vessels are the channels through which blood is carried to different parts of the body for utilization of oxygen, transport of proteins, hormones and waste products. These channels are the roadways to the heart, namely arteries, veins and capillaries. Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart to various parts of the body; veins carry blood from tissues and organs to the heart, and capillaries are the connecting channels between the arteries and veins. Without smooth flow in these channels, body cannot receive adequate oxygen and function optimally. Most diseases of vascular system create a road-block leading to an obstructed blood flow to various parts. Diseases affecting these vascular channels are vasculopathies. Ageing, Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking lead to narrowing of the channels by causing deposition of fatty plaques, or damaging the walls of the channels of mostly heart, legs, neck and the brain.
Some other well known diseases affecting the vascular pathways are Buerger’s Disease, Bechet’s Disease, Giant Cell Arteritis, Polyangiitis and Polyarteritis Nodosa. Interventional radiology and vascular surgery teams deal with these diseases affecting the circulation system of arteries, veins and lymphatics. With early intervention, these diseases can be controlled from yielding sequelae/complications like amputation or even death in most cases.
Commonly, Intervention radiologists treat Varicose Veins, Peripheral Artery Diseases, Carotid Narrowing, Thoracic Compression Syndrome, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Spider Veins, Venous and Diabetic Ulcers, maturation of fistulas for dialysis access & similar diseases via endovascular route.
Methods employed in Interventional Radiology:
