Interventional radiology for restoration of vascular patency in the postoperative patient--case reports

The postoperative patient may present with one or more of a variety of problems amenable to management by interventional radiologic techniques, which may be curative by themselves or may, in addition, require or allow successful surgical intervention. To optimize patient care, a good working relationship between the vascular surgeon and the interventional radiologist is essential. Consideration should be given to the patient's presenting signs and symptoms, the surgical history with its alteration of anatomy, the results of available noninvasive studies, and knowledge of various therapeutic alternatives. Vascular radiologic interventions include angioplasty, thrombolytic therapy, a combination of both angioplasty and thrombolysis, and newer techniques such as percutaneous valvectomy. In this report, examples of some of the experience at Indiana University are presented. Emphasis is placed on the appropriate approach to the patient.