Report about SIR: Meeting touts minimally invasive therapy, practice building
Interventional radiology's role in fueling technological advances in minimally invasive image-guided therapy may be the best-kept secret in the mainstream press. The Society of Interventional Radiology meeting could change that dynamic, as researchers showcase data that demonstrate interventional success in everything from stroke to varicose veins.
The meeting convenes in Phoenix from March 25 to March 30 and will draw about 5000 attendees, including 3200 physicians. The exhibit floor will be crammed with 144 exhibitors, including 21 who have never shown at SIR before. Overall, the meeting is about 10% larger than last year, according to the SIR public relations office.
Diagnostic Imaging will be at the Phoenix Civic Arena to report on the many cutting-edge interventional topics. Below are some highlights of the conference that participants will soak in along with the Arizona sunshine.
Mature data are beginning to emerge from many of the ongoing stenting trials. Results of two carotid stent studies reveal that high-risk patients can be successfully treated endovascularly.
Researchers from the SAPPHIRE trial, a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing carotid stenting with distal protection versus carotid endarterectomy, analyzed a subset of diabetic patients. Carotid stenting was associated with a lower risk of major adverse events in this high-risk patient population.
In the MAVERIC trial, only three out of 51 high-risk patients undergoing carotid stenting with embolic protection had major adverse events. Patients were considered high risk due to anatomic/technical factors such as previous endarterectomy, previous radiation therapy, and/or comorbid risk factors including age greater than 80, unstable angina, and significant congestive heart failure.
Ever since patients recognized the value of uterine artery embolization, researchers have been scrambling to produce data to justify that interest. Results of a head-to-head trial of UAE versus myomectomy surgery for treatment of fibroids found the two approaches resulted in similar improvements in bleeding, uterine volume reduction, and overall quality of life scores. Two major differences were a shortened hospital stay (one versus two days) and recovery period (15 versus 44 days) for UAE compared with surgery.
Interventional radiologists are particularly vulnerable to radiation exposure during fluoroscopy-guided procedures. Various studies look at new shielding technology, robotic-controlled needle biopsies, and the risk of radiation-induced cataracts. One study compared the GE 4100 flat-panel digital angiography system with a state-of-the-art conventional image intensifier system (GE LCA+ II). It found the flat-panel system delivered better quality images at lower doses.
On Thursday, an all-day session will focus on setting up a practice. This has been a hot topic for IRs. The session will look at how and where to set up a lab, whom to partner with, safety, coding and self-referral, and marketing approaches.
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