Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe
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SocietyStudentsA career in IR

A career in IR

Interventional radiology is a growing subspecialty at the forefront of modern medicine. Dynamic and innovative in nature, this minimally-invasive alternative to conventional practices requires physicians who possess expertise in both high-end imaging technology as well as clinical involvement with patients.

Find out about the history of IR and its development.

What is interventional radiology?

Curious about interventional radiology? Dr. Fatemeh Sakhinia, interventional radiologist, sat down with us to talk about the variety of procedures covered by IR and the many advantages it offers to patients.

A day in the life of an IR

Watch this webinar to find out from some of our European Trainee Forum members what the average work day of an interventional radiologist is like!

Interventional radiologists

Interventional radiologists (IRs) are doctors trained in radiology and in minimally invasive procedures. Experts in both imaging technology and clinical involvement, IRs take care of their patients, as well as cooperate closely with specialists from other medical fields. They are experts in reading X-rays, ultrasounds, CT and other medical imaging techniques. This expertise with imaging techniques enables them to guide small catheters (tubes) and guidewires through blood vessels or other organ pathways to treat many diseases. These small catheters are usually only a few millimetres in diameter.

Interventional radiologists have historically been the specialists’ specialist and patients did not have direct contact with them. Now, however, patients can be directly referred to an interventional radiologist, as IRs are increasingly more involved in the clinical management of the patient, evaluating and informing the patient before the procedure and providing post-procedural care, both in cases where the IR works alone or in collaboration with other physicians.

Cryoablation of a large desmoid tumour

Watch Prof. Afshin Gangi’s team in action performing cryoablation on a large desmoid tumour to see what interventional radiology can really do! To learn more about this great specialty, check out the Interventional Radiology Curriculum for Medical Students.

Uterine Fibroid Embolisation

Uterine fibroids are a common problem among women, often causing severe symptoms. Interventional radiologists can treat these noncancerous growth with a minimally invasive procedure. Learn more about this and other conditions treated by IRs!

PTA for the treatment of PVD

Interventional radiology provides a wide range of treatments, including percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for the treatment of PVD. Learn more about this and other IR procedures in the new IR Curriculum for Medical Students!

Participate in a free webinar to learn more about IR!

The European Trainee Forum conducts free webinars exploring different topics with basic or semi-advanced content in order to make medical students and IRs at the beginning of their careers more familiar with the various fields of interventional radiology and explain the treatments interventional radiologists can perform. Find out more here!