Vascular

Embolization

We deliver tiny particles, coils, or plugs via a catheter to block blood flow to areas that are bleeding or diseased — such as trauma sites, tumors, or gastrointestinal ulcers. This stops bleeding and helps target abnormal tissues without surgery.

Central venous access

We place catheters or implanted ports into large veins to facilitate long-term medicine delivery, dialysis, or nutrition — reducing the need for repeated needle sticks.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)

When arteries in the legs narrow due to plaque, it can cause pain while walking or slow healing of wounds. We open these arteries using balloons (angioplasty) and, if needed, implant small mesh tubes (stents) to restore healthy blood flow. Thrombolysis and thrombectomy are also options for treatment. Thrombolysis is generally used in an emergency that requires slow instillation of medication to open and bypass a blockage via a catheter and is usually performed in the hospital. Thrombectomy uses devices to pull, vaporize, and remove a clot.

Deep and superficial vein disorders

  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when clots form in deeper leg veins, causing swelling, pain, and wounds. Other conditions related to deep venous thrombosis include May-Thurner Syndrome and Paget-Schroetter Syndrome that is related to the compression effect from adjacent structures or blood vessels. We treat these conditions by removing clots with catheters and medications and by using balloons or stents to ensure the veins stay open.
  • Superficial vein issues can cause blood to pool in the legs, leading to conditions like varicose veins, skin ulcers that are slow to heal, and spider veins. We treat these conditions by closing problematic veins using minimally invasive methods without the need for incisions.

Portal hypertension

Portal hypertension is high blood pressure in the vein that carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver (called the portal vein). When this pressure builds up—often due to liver scarring from cirrhosis—it can lead to serious problems, such as bleeding from enlarged veins in the esophagus or stomach (called varices), or a buildup of fluid in the belly (ascites). We use minimally invasive procedures to lower pressure in the liver’s veins, stop internal bleeding, drain excess fluid, and improve blood flow.

We use several minimally invasive techniques to manage the complications and improve quality of life. These procedures are performed using image guidance through tiny incisions, often with shorter recovery times compared to traditional surgery. Treatments include:

  • Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS): This procedure creates a channel inside the liver that connects the portal vein to a vein that carries blood back to the heart. TIPS helps lower pressure in the portal vein, which can reduce the risk of bleeding from varices and ease symptoms like ascites.
  • Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO): Used primarily to treat bleeding from gastric varices (enlarged veins in the stomach), BRTO involves blocking off the abnormal vein with a balloon and injecting a special solution to seal it. This helps prevent future bleeding.
  • Plug-assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (PARTO): A newer alternative to BRTO, this technique uses a vascular plug instead of a balloon to block off varices. PARTO can offer similar benefits with a simplified procedure in certain patients.
  • Variceal embolization: This technique uses tiny coils, glue, or other agents to block blood flow to varices, helping to control or prevent internal bleeding.
  • Splenic artery embolization: In some cases, reducing blood flow to the spleen can lower pressure in the portal system. This is done by placing tiny particles or coils in the splenic artery, which may help reduce the size of varices and control symptoms.

Transplant support

We work closely with a multidisciplinary team of specialists in liver care, surgery, and cancer to support patients before and after organ transplant. Using image-guidance, we provide targeted treatments to ensure patients are transplant candidates, shrink and cure cancer, and provide care to ensure long-term transplant success by managing complications.

Venous sampling

In some situations, we carefully collect blood samples directly from specific veins using minimally invasive, image-guided techniques. This targeted approach helps doctors pinpoint hormonal imbalances or other metabolic problems by measuring hormone levels or chemicals right where they are produced or processed. For example, adrenal vein sampling can help diagnose certain causes of high blood pressure, while parathyroid venous sampling can help locate overactive parathyroid glands. These procedures often provide more accurate information than regular blood tests, helping guide diagnosis and treatment plans.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are often caused by inherited conditions that affect how blood vessels form, including Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT). They can also develop later in life due to factors such as liver disease, chest trauma, surgery, or certain infections. These abnormal clusters of blood vessels in the lungs can lead to symptoms like bleeding or shortness of breath, which we treat with minimally invasive procedures to close off the affected vessels.

Venous and arteriovenous malformations

These are abnormal clusters of blood vessels where veins and arteries connect incorrectly, often found in the limbs, head and neck, or soft tissues. They can cause symptoms like swelling, pain, or skin changes. We use image-guided treatments, such as embolization (blocking abnormal vessels) and ablation (destroying problematic tissue), to block or shrink these abnormal vessels, helping to relieve symptoms and prevent complications. These minimally invasive procedures offer an alternative to surgery and can be tailored to each patient’s needs.

Aneurysms

Aneurysms are small bulges that form in weakened areas of an artery wall and can occur in various parts of the body. If left untreated, they may grow and risk rupturing, which can cause life-threatening bleeding. Interventional radiologists use minimally invasive techniques — such as placing tiny coils or stents inside the vessel — to reinforce the artery and reduce the risk of rupture, all without the need for open surgery.

Dialysis interventions

Dialysis is a treatment for people whose kidneys are no longer able to filter waste and excess fluid from the blood effectively. For dialysis to work, a reliable way to access the bloodstream or, in some cases, the abdominal cavity is essential. Our interventional radiologists offer a range of minimally invasive procedures to help create, maintain, or restore this access so that treatment can continue safely and effectively.

We provide the following dialysis-related interventions to help create, maintain, or restore this access, so treatment can continue safely and effectively:

  • Endovascular fistula creation: A nonsurgical technique that uses imaging guidance and special tools to create an arteriovenous (AV) fistula, which is an access point where a vein and artery are connected to support long-term dialysis.
  • Surgical and endovascular fistula maintenance: Over time, AV fistulas and grafts can become narrowed or blocked. We offer procedures such as balloon angioplasty, de-clotting, or stent placement to keep them open and working properly.
  • Dialysis catheter placement and removal: For patients who need immediate dialysis or cannot use a fistula or graft, we place tunneled dialysis catheters into a large vein, often in the neck and chest. We also remove catheters when they’re no longer needed or need to be replaced.
  • Peritoneal dialysis catheter placement: For patients using peritoneal dialysis, we place a soft tube, called a catheter, into the abdomen using imaging guidance to ensure proper positioning for fluid exchange.