Interventional Radiology
Swedish Interventional Radiology includes a team of board certified radiologists with advanced training in minimally invasive, targeted treatments performed using guided imaging. Along with registered technologists and nurses, we coordinate your care from imaging evaluation to post procedure follow up while maintaining a high level of communication and patient care.
Swedish Interventional Radiology at First Hill offers these exams:
- Interventional oncology (Y-90 radiotherapy, hepatic artery embolization (TACE), radiofrequency and cryoablation ablation)
- Peripheral arterial interventions
- Arterial and venous thrombolysis
- TIPS
- Biliary interventions (Cholecystostomy tubes, biliary tract drainage, biliary dilation and stenting)
- Genitourinary interventions (nephrostomy tubes and nephro-ureteral catheters)
- Hemodialysis access interventions
- Transplant interventions
- Venous access (port a caths and tunneled venous access devices)
- IVC filters
- Abscess drains/pleural drains
- Cyst sclerosis
- Uterine artery embolization
- Biopsies/FNA (organ, soft tissue and bone)
- Myleography
- Arthrography
- Pain therapy
- A pre-procedure consultation with an interventional radiologist is required prior to scheduling your appointment if you need a uterine artery embolization (UAE), RF ablation, TIPS, liver chemo embolization (TACE), or Y-90 treatment.
- Prior to scheduling a biopsy, an interventional radiologist must review a current CT, MRI or PET CT. The actual films or a CD ROM must be available.
- If you are scheduled for PAC placement/removal, angiogram, biopsy, nephrostomy tube placement, embolization, RF ablation, TIPS, Y-90 treatment, or liver chemo embolization you will need to have pre-procedural labs drawn. These labs can be done within 30 days of your scheduled appointment. You will need: PT/INR, Platelet, & if you are schedule for an angiogram or embolization you will also need Creatinine.
- You must be off any blood thinning medication prior to coming for your appointment. Standard requirements are: Plavix-5 days prior to your appointment, Coumadin-3 days prior to your appointment, Xeralto or Pradaxa-24 hours prior to your appointment. If you are on a blood thinning medication not listed, please call the interventional radiology department to find out the requirements.
- You will receive a pre-procedure phone call from an interventional radiology nurse the day prior to your appointment regarding all pre-procedure instructions/requirements.
- If you are on any anticoagulants, please contact your doctor to discuss when to stop the medication prior to your appointment.
- Please do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure, unless you are instructed otherwise. This includes gum, mints and water.
Most interventional radiology procedures are performed using an IV sedative to help you relax. After the procedure, you may have some discomfort in the area of the body where the procedure was performed.
- Please bathe or shower the morning of your procedure.
- Please check in at the 4 east reception desk (follow radiology signs).
- A receptionist will register you and ask you to sign a hospital consent form. Copies of your photo ID and insurance cards will be made.
- Please bring a current medication list with the name and dosage of each medication, both prescription and over the counter medications.
- You will need to have someone available to drive you home. Escorts of minors must remain on site while the patient is in our care.
- You will be escorted to the interventional radiology pre-procedure area and staff will review your medical history and current medication list. A family member (limited to one) is invited to join you during the pre-op assessment.
- You will be asked to changed into a hospital gown. We encourage you to leave any unnecessary valuables at home.
- The radiologist will talk with you regarding the procedure and have you sign the procedure consent form.
- PAC placement/removal: 2-3 hours
- Biopsies: 3-4 hours
- Angiograms: 6-8 hours
- RFA, UAE, TACE, TIPS, G-tube placement: overnight
A board certified radiologist will interpret the images and create a report for your doctor. Reports are sent to your doctor within 8-24 hours. Please contact your doctor for results.
We can only accept orders from a licensed provider. To place an electronic order in EPIC, order "IR Procedure" and specify what type of procedure in the comment section of the request. Orders may also be faxed to our office followed by a call to schedule the appointment.