Vascular interventions in the abdomen: current status

Vascular and interventional radiology has grown at a remarkable pace due to three major factors. Firstly, many disease processes are now amenable to definitive diagnosis and management in a less invasive manner, by the radiologist. Secondly, most interventional procedures have low and acceptable complication and morbidity rates compared to surgery. Additionally, an interventive procedure does not preclude the patient from having a surgical procedure, if subsequently deemed necessary. Thirdly, the continuing surge and development of new innovative technology has provided for increased safety and better results. The advent of digital subtraction angiography, small balloon catheters, safe-guide wires, expandable stents, new thrombolytic agents and non-ionic contrast media have all contributed significantly to the expansion of interventional radiology.