Patient Q & A
What is Interventional Radiology?
Interventional Radiology is a sub-specialty of Radiology in which doctors undergo an additional year of training, called a Fellowship, after the four-year Diagnostic Radiology residency. During the Fellowship, these specialists become experts at diagnosing and treating many diseases in the body using tiny instruments that they insert into the vascular system (the arteries and veins). They can accurately and precisely place these instruments using special x-ray image guidance, called fluoroscopy, allowing them to treat the disease at the source of the problem.
How are minimally invasive techniques different from open surgery?
Minimally invasive treatment usually occurs in an office-based environment and can be performed under mild anesthesia, often referred to as conscious sedation. Access to the vascular system is made through a tiny incision, about the size of a grain of rice, so there is no disruption to underlying muscle tissue, as there is in open surgery. Because of this, discomfort is minimal, recovery time is significantly reduced, and patients can go home the same day. Most patients are back to their routine in 1-3 days.
On the other hand, open surgery is usually performed in a hospital and requires general anesthesia, intubation, and large incisions. Post-surgical pain is common, and recovery can take weeks.
When given a choice, most patients prefer a minimally invasive treatment option.
How long do these procedures take?
Plan to arrive an hour before your scheduled procedure for preparation. The procedure itself will last from thirty minutes to a couple of hours, depending on the type of procedure and its complexity. After your procedure is complete, you will spend a couple of hours in recovery while our staff monitors your healing. Total time at our clinic on the day of your procedure is usually four to six hours.
Will I feel pain?
You will receive a local anesthetic to numb the area and mild anesthesia (conscious sedation) to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Discomfort is generally very minimal. You will be monitored continuously before, during, and after the procedure to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible.
Should I take my medications on the day of the procedure?
You should take most of your regular medications the morning of your procedure with a small sip of water. Certain medications, such as medications used to control diabetes, should not be taken the same day as your procedure. Additionally, you may need to stop taking some medications for several days after your procedure. Every treatment plan is different. Our care team will instruct you on your specific medication plan at your appointment before your procedure.
Can I eat or drink before the procedure?
No food or drink should be taken after midnight the evening before your procedure. Our care team will review instructions with you before the procedure to make sure you fully understand.
Can I drive home after the procedure?
No. You may still feel a little sleepy after the procedure, so we will release you into the care of a responsible adult, who will receive the discharge instructions on your behalf. You will need to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home after your procedure.
What happens after my procedure?
We will communicate the results of your procedure to the doctor who referred you to us. We will schedule you for a follow-up visit at our office to check how the incision site from your procedure is healing and to plan the next step in your recovery.
QUICK LINKS
Insurance We Accept
LATEST NEWS
Feet and Peripheral Artery Disease
How are Your Feet Feeling? Foot pain is common. Standing too long. Wearing the wrong size shoes. Sports injury. Auto injury. There are multiple catalysts for this type of pain, but one of the more serious ones is a vascular condition called Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). This is a buildup…
PAD Risk Factors and Prevalence
When it comes to peripheral artery disease, there are several risk factors to take into consideration to determine whether or not you can develop the condition. According to the CDC: Both men and woman are affected by PAD; however, African Americans have an increased risk of PAD. Hispanics may have…
Atherosclerosis and PAD
Discover the Link Between PAD and Atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis occur when plaque builds up inside your artery walls. The plaque is a combination of fat deposits, cholesterol and other substances collecting in the arteries. This occurring within the peripheral arteries is the most common cause of PAD, hence the term “Peripheral…
Coffee and Cardiovascular Disease
Are you one of those people who can’t start their day off right without a cup of coffee? You’re not alone, but a recent study out of Australia suggests that too much coffee can lead to cardiovascular disease. Time to rethink your morning routine? From the study, sourced from https://www.unisa.edu.au/Media-Centre/Releases/2021/deja-brew-another-shot-for-lovers-of-coffee/…
Heart Disease Facts
Heart disease affects millions of Americans each year, resulting in anything from mild discomfort to death. According to the CDC, the following are heart disease facts everyone should be aware of. Heart Disease Facts in the United States Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and…
How to Take Care of Your Heart
Tips to Keep Your Heart Healthy Your heart powers the body. It provides the individual cells with oxygen and nutrients. It’s the little engine that could – until it no longer can. While we can’t fight time, we can help keep our hearts healthy and pumping with a little due…
Managing Diabetes During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Diabetes Is Still Here, Too You’ve heard a lot about the deadly coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, and maybe even some types of cancer, for good reason lately. However, it seems that Diabetes has taken a back seat in terms of importance. If you’re one of the many people who have Diabetes,…
Peripheral Artery Disease in Dallas
Dallas Has a Vascular Disease Problem We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but people in the United States, more specifically Dallas, aren’t getting healthier. Despite a new diet fad popping up on social media every other month, and every fast food chain trying to capitalize on the…
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) – Silent but Deadly
Over 18 million Americans have Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), yet over half of them are unaware. PAD is a serious disease affecting the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet. When excess cholesterol builds up in these arteries, blood flow is reduced. This reduced flow robs the tissue…
Leg Pain Could Be Serious
Muscle cramping in your hips, thighs, or calves when you walk, climb stairs, or exercise could be a warning sign of a serious disease called Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). PAD affects over 18 million Americans and can lead to amputation and even death if left untreated. Many Seniors chalk leg…
The Link Between Diabetes and Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Peripheral Arterial Disease, or PAD, occurs when blood vessels in the legs are narrowed or blocked by fatty deposits, causing a decrease of blood flow to the feet and legs. PAD is a condition where many of the arteries that lead to areas outside the brain and heart become blocked….
Taking Steps to Better Health
If your legs or hips hurt when you walk, climb stairs or exercise it could be due peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD occurs when certain arteries narrow due to blockage. This most often affects the arteries servicing the legs, but it can affect the arteries to the arms, chest, and…
Take Your Socks Off!
In these colder months of winter it feels good to wrap up, put on some warm fuzzy socks and sit by a nice fire sipping a hot drink. It’s not typically the time of year to think about taking off your socks, but maybe you should. The Center for Disease…
Take Control of Your Health
Being diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD) means that you don’t have time to slowly ramp into a healthier lifestyle. In order to maximize your efforts, not only is it important to make healthy food choices but in order to reverse artery blockage, it may also be necessary to make…
Substitutes for Better Health
By now most Americans know in order to live a longer, more productive life they need to exercise regularly and make healthy food choices. Those who have been diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) especially should make these changes. However, most find that knowing what they are supposed to do…
Should you be tested for Peripheral artery disease?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is when the blood vessels carrying your blood from your heart to your extremities have narrowed or are blocked by plaque. PAD is a growing health problem throughout the United States and according to the Center for Disease Control nearly 75% of those who have PAD have not been diagnosed. …
Benefits of Losing Weight
It seems that everyone is trying to lose weight these days. There are many choices out there – the Paleo diet, the Keto diet, the low-carb diet, the low-fat diet, the high-protein diet, Intermittent Fasting, and on and on. But why? Why do so many people want to lose weight? Many people decide to lose weight because they…
