Common Equipment in Interventional Radiology

Abstract

The arsenal of an interventional radiologist (IR) consists of a variety of equipment that is essential for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Common imaging modalities used include fluoroscopy, ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. When deciding between these modalities, the interventional radiologist must balance the type of procedure, individual patient characteristics, and the advantages and disadvantages of each modality. The fundamental endovascular equipment includes guidewires and catheters, but a slew of other endovascular devices may be utilized during a given procedure. Guidewires may differ in length, diameter, stiffness, and coating. The 3 common types of guidewires are starter wires, selective, and exchange. Catheters come in many shapes and sizes and are used with guidewires to advance through vessels and potentially cross lesions.