Interventional Radiology
Description
Interventional Radiologists are medical doctors who specialize in minimally invasive, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures using special x-ray equipment. These procedures are easier for the patient because they involve only small incisions, are less risky, less painful, and have shorter recovery times. These procedures are done under imaging techniques such as fluoroscopy, MRI, ultrasound, and CT to diagnose and/or treat diseases.
Location
Interventional Radiology is located within the Imaging Services Department on the first floor of the Hospital. For more information or to make an appointment please call 724-543-8131.
Procedures offered
Interventional Radiology offers treatment of the following disease processes to the community:
- Placement of Dialysis Catheters
- Arterial/Brachial Indexing (ABI) for the evaluation of narrowed blood vessels in the lower extremities
- Angiography/Angioplasty (Balloon , Cryoplasty and Stenting) for the diagnosis and treatment of:
- Narrowing in the Aorta
- Narrowing or occlusion of the blood vessels in the upper and lower legs
- Narrowing or occlusion of the blood vessels leading to the kidneys
- Biliary (Bile Duct) Interventions
- Inserting, replacing or removing a biliary or nephrostomy catheter.
- Oncology Access
- Ports
- Venous Interventions
- Arterio-Venous (AV) Fistulograms to evaluate a dialysis shunt to demonstrate poorly functioning or clotted fistulas.
- IVC (Greenfield) Filters
- Declotting Procedures of dialysis catheters.
- Thrombolytic therapy to restore the function of catheters.
- CT Guided Needle Biopsies
- CT Guided placement of drainage tubes of chest and abdomen
- CT Angiography (CTA) - Used to examine blood vessels of key areas of the body
- MR Angiography(MRA) - Used for the same exams as CTA, but contrast may need to be
swallowed instead of injected.
MRA cannot capture images of calcium deposits, while the CTA is capable.
Areas of the body where vessels may be visualized are:
- Brain
- Kidney
- Pelvis
- Liver
- Lungs
- Heart
- Neck
Procedures can be performed on an Outpatient basis. Most patients go home the same day. Usually, I.V. access is needed and contrast media may be injected.
How do I prepare for my procedure?
Catheter exchanges and PICC lines
- No preparation
Angiograms, Angioplasty, Dialysis Catheters, Tube
placement, Vetebroplasty and
Fistulograms
- Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours, no aspirin for 7 days, no Plavix for 5 days, no Coumadin for 3 days, hold AM dose of Lovenox
- CBC/PT/PTT/INR/BUN/CRET/BS/LYTES
Arthrograms/Joint Injections/Aspirations
- No dietary restrictions
- No Coumadin for 3 days, and hold Lovenox AM of procedure
Port Placements
- Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to exam
- No aspirin for 7 days, no Plavix for 5 days, no Coumadin for 5 days, hold AM dose of Lovenox
- CBC/PT/PTT/INR
Venograms
- Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to exam
- BUN/CREAT
Paracentesis, Thoracentesis and Port Removal
- No dietary or medication restrictions
- No Coumadin for 3 days, hold AM dose of Lovenox
- PT/PTT/INR
Myelogram
- Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours, may have a sip of water with AM meds
- No aspirin for 7 days, no Plavix for 5 days, no Coumadin for 3 days, hold AM dose of Lovenox
- CBC/PT/PTT/INR
- Discontinue medicine listed on myelogram instruction form
Where do I go on the day of the procedure?
You will be instructed as to where to report on the day of
your procedure when your
appointment is made. Most
patients report to the Ambulatory Surgery Department, but
some may go directly to Imaging Services.
What can I expect on the day of the procedure?
All patients receive a local anesthetic to numb the area
used to gain access for any
interventional procedure. In
addition, patients may also receive conscious sedation (a
sedative)
depending on the type of procedure they are having.
What happens after my procedure is completed?
A majority of the procedures are done on an outpatient
basis and you will be discharged
with written post-procedure care instructions.
A short stay in the Ambulatory Surgery
Department is required prior to discharge
for those patients receiving sedation. Patients
must have made
arrangements ahead of time for someone to drive them home before
they may be
released from the hospital after receiving conscious sedation.
Lucien Diagnostic Imaging, PC
3000 Stonewood
Drive, Suite 120
Wexford, PA 15090
724-543-8132
Dr. Vincent Lattari
Dr. Thomas Franco