Frequently Asked Questions

Unlike traditional surgery, interventional radiology only requires a pinhole-sized incision. This results in reduced discomfort for patients—and a quicker recovery. The majority of interventional radiology treatments can be performed in an outpatient setting, allowing many patients to return home the same day. Patients are frequently discharged from the hospital within 24 hours if a hospital stay is necessary. However, Broadway Vascular provides same day discharge.

While many surgical procedures require general anesthesia, interventional radiology employs conscious sedation techniques to keep patients comfortable and relaxed throughout the operation without exposing them to the hazards associated with general anesthesia.

Interventional radiology treatments have been shown to produce comparable — and in some cases, much superior — outcomes to open surgery. Indeed, interventional radiology has largely supplanted open surgery for many procedures.

Vascular illness refers to a condition that affects the arteries and veins. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood while veins return blood to the heart. They are like the highways of the circulatory system. The body needs free and uninterrupted blood flow for proper functioning. However, when plaque accumulates, it can obstruct the flow of blood to any part of the body, leading to conditions such as arterial hardening and other vascular abnormalities. These abnormalities can occur due to congenital factors or develop as a result of pregnancy or other health problems.

At Broadway Vascular, all interventional radiology procedures are conducted by highly qualified and board-certified physicians who have undergone specialized training in vascular and interventional radiology. Your interventional radiologist may also collaborate with nurse practitioners and physician assistants who have received additional training in interventional radiology as part of your care team. Moreover, interventional radiologists work closely with physicians from various medical specialties to ensure that you receive personalized care tailored to your specific needs.

During your pre-procedure phone call, a nurse will discuss any requirements that you should follow. In general, you may be asked to abstain from solid foods at midnight before your operation.

During your pre-procedure phone call, a nurse will advise you on which medications you should continue taking and which you should stop. Generally, your doctor will urge you to continue taking your regularly scheduled prescriptions. However, your radiologist will almost certainly advise you to abstain from blood thinners for a specified number of days prior to the procedure.

Individuals who undergo interventional radiology procedures are generally not completely sedated, unlike in traditional surgery. This is because general anesthesia is usually not required for these procedures, which means that you can recover more quickly and have a lower risk of complications.

Instead of full sedation, your medical team will apply a topical anesthetic to numb the incision site and minimize discomfort. They will also give you sedation through an IV line to help you feel more relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. The level of sedation you receive will depend on your age, medical condition, and the specific technique being used.

There are three levels of sedation:
– Minimal: you will feel drowsy but will be able to communicate.
– Moderate: you may fall asleep and become unaware of your surroundings at times.
– Twilight: you will be sleeping, but you will still be able to breathe independently and will have little memory of the procedure.

Interventional radiology treatments involving arteries and veins usually require at least an hour of recovery time. However, in rare cases, the recovery period may extend beyond six hours. Your care team will inform you of the estimated recovery time before your procedure.

It’s important to note that you won’t be able to drive after the procedure. So, it’s advisable to arrange for someone else to accompany you to and from the procedure.

Your care team will contact you on the day of your procedure to discuss the findings if you underwent a procedure. If you had a vascular test, the results will be given to you during your clinic visit and your care team will discuss them with you.