The IR procedures can be divided into vascular (dealing with blood vessels) and non-vascular interventional procedures.

The Vascular Interventional Procedures

1. Balloon angioplasty and Stenting

A small balloon catheter (tube) is used to unblock the clogged arteries anywhere in the body, such as the brain, legs or kidneys. This may be followed by insertion of a stent -- a miniature metallic or plastic device inserted into a blood vessels via a catheter which then expands to hold the blood vessels open.

Severe SVC stenosis

Balloon angioplasty of SVC

Post angioplasty and stent placement of SVC

2. Embolization

Purposely blocking off the blood vessels that are bleeding and causing severe anemia; or blood vessels that are "feeding" a tumor. Angiogram is performed to localize the source of bleeding and a catheter is thread to the site of bleeding and the blood vessel is blocked by using occluding materials like coils, foam particles or glue. The procedure can stop the bleeding without going for surgery. When embolization is performed to shrink or kill the tumor, it may be either the sole treatment or an ancillary procedure before the surgery to reduce bleeding during the operation.

Brain tumor before embolization.

Post embolization showed blood supply to tumor is completely blocked.

Uterine artery embolization for fibroids involves the blocking of both uterine arteries ( which carry blood to the fibroids) by particles. This results in the shrinkage of the fibroids and disappearance of symptoms such as bleeding and pelvic pressure. For many women, the procedure may replace hysterectomy and myomectomy (removal of fibroids) as a treatment of fibroids.

Pre uterine artery embolization

Post uterine artery embolization showed the blood supply to the fibroid is completely blocked

Massive hemoptysis or coughing out fresh blood due to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and lung cancer can be life threatening. However the best treatment for this life threatening condition is by embolization of the bronchial artery.

Tortuous and dilated bronchial arteries

Post embolization showed disappearance of the tortuous bronchial arteries

Note: All examples used are for demonstration purpose only.