BackTable Vascular & Interventional
For interventional radiologists, vascular surgeons, and interventional cardiologists.
Podcasts
- Vascular & IR # 693Nov 14, 2026
Direct Contracting in Healthcare
“A veterinarian that's 117 years old who hasn't practiced since 1923.” That is who Mark Cuban says ends up on the other end of the peer-to-peer, and any interventional radiologist who has fought for coverage of a procedure will recognize the call. On this episode of the BackTable Podcast, Dr. Ruchika Talwar, value-based care leader, talks with Mark Cuban, entrepreneur and founder of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, about who actually sets the price of care in the United States. They trace how a cold email about drug shortages led to Cost Plus Drugs and then Cost Plus Wellness, an open source library of direct contracts between self-insured employers and providers; why his direct contracts trade fewer denials and peer-to-peers for a better price by trusting the doctor; why focused surgery centers with no middleman make strong partners for employers; and why he believes the contract, not the published price, is where the real problems hide.
- Vascular & IR # 692Nov 13, 2026
Understanding Laser Atherectomy in Calcified Peripheral Artery Disease
Half or more of the femoropopliteal lesions Dr. Nicolas Shammas treats are moderately to severely calcified, the kind that turn a routine case into recoil, dissection, and a stent no one planned to place. On this episode of the BackTable Podcast, Dr. Neil Jain welcomes back Dr. Shammas, an interventional cardiologist in Davenport, Iowa, and president and research director of the Midwest Cardiovascular Research Foundation, to talk about laser atherectomy in heavily calcified peripheral artery disease (PAD). Dr. Shammas explains his workup with duplex, CT angiography, and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), how decades of vessel prep trials shaped his device choices, and how a 355 nm laser with a very short pulse delivers enough power to cross calcium while limiting thermal injury beyond the catheter tip.
- Vascular & IR # 691Nov 10, 2026
Controversies in GAE: Patient Selection Techniques
Could genicular artery embolization (GAE) one day be offered before knee osteoarthritis sets in, or before a knee replacement to ease recovery? These interventional radiologists do not all agree. On this episode of the BackTable 2026 MSK Creator Weekend™, Dr. Osman Ahmed, Dr. Ahmed Farag, and Dr. Ally Baheti work through the biggest debates in GAE, starting with the ideal candidate, when it is too early to offer the procedure, how they approach Kellgren-Lawrence grade 4 knees, when a repeat embolization makes sense, and whether MRI with or without contrast is needed before treatment.
- Vascular & IR # 690Nov 6, 2026
MSK Embolization Techniques & Guidelines for Clinical Practice
Why is MSK embolization taking off so fast? For patients with knee osteoarthritis who have tried everything short of surgery, genicular artery embolization (GAE) fills a gap few other treatments can, backed by a growing body of evidence from around the world that it is safe and reproducible. On this episode of the BackTable 2026 MSK Creator Weekend™, Dr. Osman Ahmed of Joint and Vascular Institute moderates a conversation with Dr. Anuj Malhotra of NYU Langone Hospital Long Island and Dr. Ally Baheti of Sound Vascular & Vein about the work that happens outside the procedure room. They review the evidence they rely on, what a recent sham-controlled trial means for the field, how they quote success to patients, why the minimal clinically important difference in pain medicine reframes GAE outcomes, and what the new SIR position statement means for physicians offering the procedure.
- Vascular & IR # 689Nov 3, 2026
Understanding Foot & Ankle Embolization Techniques
Heel pain that has outlasted stretching, orthotics, and physical therapy may come down to a few small abnormal vessels, and a growing number of interventional radiologists are now treating them with embolization. On this episode of the BackTable 2026 MSK Creator Weekend™, Dr. Osman Ahmed and Dr. Anuj Malhotra join host Dr. Ally Baheti to discuss embolization for plantar fasciitis and insertional Achilles tendinopathy. They describe the classic patient, the windlass test, point-of-care ultrasound to track fascia thickness, and how they counsel patients when the evidence is early and a second session is common.
- Vascular & IR # 688Oct 30, 2026
Gallbladder Cryoablation: Technique & Clinical Insights
How can whole-gallbladder cryoablation reshape care and quality of life for patients dependent on chronic cholecystostomy tube management? In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, interventional radiologist Dr. DaeHee Kim (Brown University Health) joins guest host Dr. Jessica Yoon (Ohio State University) to explore how percutaneous gallbladder cryoablation could offer a definitive option for patients who cannot have surgery and might otherwise live with a cholecystostomy tube for years. They cover how he has selected patients to build a referral pathway with general surgery, how he performs the procedure, and what he has learned from his early experience.
- Vascular & IR # 687Oct 27, 2026
Understanding Shoulder Embolization: Techniques & Patient Outcomes
For patients with frozen shoulder who have failed injections and months of physical therapy, can embolization offer relief when there are no good surgical options left? On this episode of the BackTable 2026 MSK Creator Weekend™, Dr. Anuj Malhotra of NYU Langone Hospital Long Island and Dr. Ahmed Farag of Advanced Vascular Institute in Panama City, Florida, join host Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy to examine shoulder embolization for adhesive capsulitis, osteoarthritis, and chronic rotator cuff tendinopathy. They cover the workup, how long to persist with conservative care, who makes the ideal candidate, and why the evidence outside adhesive capsulitis is still thin.
- Vascular & IR # 686Oct 23, 2026
Best Practices for Efficient Bone Marrow Biopsy Procedures
The very first episode of BackTable was about bone marrow biopsies, and the procedure has come a long way since. Powered drivers, smarter planning, and a well placed periosteal block have made it faster and far more comfortable for patients. On this episode of the BackTable Podcast, Dr. Mohammad Samim, a musculoskeletal radiologist at NYU Langone Health, joins host Dr. Chris Beck to discuss best practices for image-guided bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. They discuss how more referrals are coming from hematology, what drives the need for imaging guidance, and why a careful periosteal block lets most patients avoid sedation.
- Vascular & IR # 685Oct 20, 2026
Liquid Embolics: Managing Complex Cases
How do you move from your first liquid embolic case to making it a routine part of complex IR procedures? On this episode of the BackTable 2026 Liquid Embolics Creator Weekend™, Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy is joined by Dr. Alexander Misono and Dr. Oleksandra Kutsenko to break down case selection, technique, and the real-world process of bringing a liquid embolic into clinical practice. They discuss a challenging hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm with no easy access, how each panelist learned liquid embolics after training, which vessels are safest for early cases, and the teamwork and preparation that build confidence.
- Vascular & IR # 684Oct 16, 2026
Understanding Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization Techniques
Which patients with bleeding hemorrhoids benefit from artery embolization, and who should go to surgery instead? On this episode of the BackTable Podcast, Dr. Ally Baheti welcomes Dr. Kristen Rumer and Dr. Scott Thompson of Mayo Clinic to break down patient selection, technique, and follow-up for hemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE) at a major academic center. They explain why bleeding-predominant, Goligher grade II and III internal hemorrhoids are the best candidates, and how the technique has evolved from its origins in France to routine practice in the US.
- Vascular & IR # 683Oct 13, 2026
Liquid Embolic Techniques & Strategies for GI Bleeds
What makes you reach for a liquid embolic in a gastrointestinal bleed instead of coils? On this episode of the BackTable 2026 Liquid Embolics Creator Weekend™, Dr. Gary Siskin and Dr. Alexander Misono join host Dr. Ally Baheti to examine seven bleeding cases where a liquid agent decided the plan, from a lost distal position in the gastroduodenal artery to a patient exsanguinating from a duodenal ulcer at four in the morning. They work through case selection, access in hostile postsurgical anatomy, agent preparation, how much to inject, and the complications that follow when the judgment is wrong.
- Vascular & IR # 682Oct 9, 2026
Liquid Embolization Techniques for Treating Hypervascular Tumors
How do you devascularize a hypervascular tumor when the vessels feeding it are too small to catheterize? On this episode of BackTable Podcast, Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy is joined by Dr. Resmi Charalel and Dr. Milan Patel to walk through seven real-world cases where non-adhesive hydrogel liquid embolics made the difference. They break down patient selection, case planning, and how to deploy these agents for safe, efficient devascularization when traditional approaches fall short.
- Vascular & IR # 681Oct 6, 2026
Managing Acute Hemorrhage with Liquid Embolics
How do you take control of an acute arterial bleed when the vessel arises straight off the aorta, the INR is 6.7, and coils depend on a clotting cascade the patient does not have? In this episode of the BackTable 2026 Liquid Embolics Creator Weekend™, Dr. Alexander Misono (Hoag Hospital, Newport Beach) and Dr. Oleksandra Kutsenko (Red Rock Radiology) join Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy to walk through real-world acute hemorrhage cases, from renal pseudoaneurysm to retroperitoneal and GI bleeds, where liquid embolization made the difference. The panel shares practical strategies for embolic selection, rapid triage, and owning the patient and outcome in high-stakes settings.
- Vascular & IR # 680Oct 2, 2026
Understanding Liquid Embolization for Acute Hemorrhage
What changes about your embolization plan when a bleeding patient is coagulopathic, vasospastic, and running out of time? On this episode of the BackTable 2026 Liquid Embolics Creator Weekend, Dr. Gary Siskin (Albany Med) and Dr. Oleksandra Kutsenko (Red Rock Radiology) join Dr. Tyler Sandow to break down practical strategies for liquid embolization in acute hemorrhage, illustrated with real-world case examples from pelvic trauma to lower GI bleeding. They discuss how trauma triage, rapid decision-making, and a “liquid-first” mindset can make all the difference when the usual clotting mechanisms are unreliable.
- Vascular & IR # 679Sep 29, 2026
Navigating Liquid Embolization Techniques: Insights & Practices
Could replacing bulky coil packs with specialized liquid embolic agents be the key to faster, more cost-effective peripheral embolizations? In this kickoff episode of the BackTable 2026 Liquid Embolics Creator Weekend™, Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy (University of Alabama at Birmingham) and Dr. Gary Siskin (Albany Med) join Dr. Tyler Sandow to break down the foundational principles, deployment approaches, and expanding clinical applications of liquid embolics in non-neurological interventions. They discuss the transition toward a "liquid-first" procedural mindset, the technical nuances of adhesive and cohesive agents, and how targeted liquid cast creation might optimize procedure times and device expenditure compared to traditional coiling.
- Vascular & IR # 678Sep 25, 2026
Medicare Audits Explained: Impact on Physicians & Practices
What do you actually do when a Medicare audit letter lands in your inbox? On this episode of BackTable Podcast, Dr. Ally Baheti interviews healthcare attorney Jason Greis, partner at Benesch, to demystify the audit process and the rising scrutiny on interventional practices. They discuss why audits are accelerating, which procedures are under the microscope, and how enforcement economics and AI-driven review are reshaping the landscape for OBLs and ASCs.
- Vascular & IR # 677Sep 22, 2026
Pulmonary Embolism: Catheter-Based Therapy & Importance of Blood Return
As new guidelines redefine risk stratification for pulmonary embolism (PE), emerging technologies are also changing what it means to achieve procedural success. On this episode of the BackTable Podcast, interventional radiologist Dr. Julie Bulman (BIDMC) and interventional cardiologist Dr. Jay Giri (Penn Medicine) join host Dr. Chris Beck to discuss the evolving frameworks and technologies redefining standards for catheter-directed treatment of intermediate- and high-risk PE. They discuss the role of multidisciplinary PERT teams, patient selection, the impact of new thrombectomy devices, and why autologous blood return is a growing consideration for procedural success.
- Vascular & IR # 676Sep 18, 2026
Use of Tunneled Catheters for Ascites & Effusions Management
When is it time to move from repeat drainage to a tunneled catheter for managing pleural effusions or ascites? On this episode of BackTable Podcast, Dr. Neil Jain interviews Dr. Marco Ertreo, interventional radiologist and IR residency program director at Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester, about best practices for tunneled catheter management in both the chest and abdomen. They discuss the triggers for placing a tunneled catheter, patient selection, placement technique, home drainage protocols, complication management, and the unique considerations for malignant versus cirrhotic ascites.
- Vascular & IR # 675Sep 15, 2026
Advancements & Challenges in GAE Practice
As interest in genicular artery embolization grows, what does it actually take to build a sustainable GAE practice? On this episode of the BackTable Podcast, Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy is joined by Dr. Anish Ghodadra and Dr. Amin Astani to share their blueprint for building a successful genicular artery embolization (GAE) practice. They discuss patient selection, imaging workup, scoring tools, and procedural techniques, including access strategies, device choice, and embolic selection. The conversation also covers follow-up protocols, defining treatment success, and how to set patient expectations.
- Vascular & IR # 674Sep 11, 2026
Treatment Strategies for Acute & Chronic Limb Ischemia
How do you choose between thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy, or open surgery for acute limb ischemia, and what options remain when there’s no vessel to open? On this episode of the BackTable Podcast, host Dr. Chris Beck is joined by vascular surgeon Dr. Anahita Dua (Massachusetts General Hospital) and interventional radiologist Dr. Ripal Gandhi (Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute) to explore treatment strategies across the full spectrum of limb ischemia. They discuss presentation and referral patterns, the imaging and exam findings that start the clock, single-session mechanical thrombectomy, the evolving role of lysis, procedural endpoints, and deep vein arterialization for chronic limb-threatening ischemia.
- Vascular & IR # 673Sep 8, 2026
Y90 for Liver-Directed Cancer Treatments: The PROACTIF Study
The key to personalizing Y90 may not just be treating the tumor, but understanding how much radiation a patient can tolerate, where to deliver it, and when to safely push the dose. In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, Drs. Tyler Sandow and Ryan Hickey join host Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy to explore strategies for using Y90 in hepatocellular carcinoma and liver metastases. They combine real-world data from a study of nearly 1,000 patients with insights into methodology and the many variables that influence these procedures.
- Vascular & IR # 672Sep 1, 2026
Challenges in Biopsy Techniques for Bone Lesions
How can careful planning and technique make all the difference in challenging bone biopsy cases? In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, Drs. Junjian Huang and Majid Khan join host Dr. Neil Jain to break down the complexities of bone biopsy technique. They discuss key strategies for tackling difficult cases, from understanding referral patterns and pre-procedure planning to selecting the best guidance modality and anticipating complications.
- Vascular & IR # 671Aug 25, 2026
Managing Pulmonary Embolism: Guidelines & Clinical Decisions
Once your PERT is assembled, how do you navigate the evolving pulmonary embolism (PE) literature to improve patient outcomes at all risk levels? In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, interventional radiologist Dr. Robert Lookstein (Mount Sinai) and pulmonary critical care specialist Dr. Timothy Fernandes (UC San Diego) join host Dr. Harris Chengazi to examine the latest evidence and multidisciplinary strategies for managing acute pulmonary embolism. The discussion highlights the complexities of catheter-directed therapies in intermediate- to high-risk PE, evolving guidelines in the face of new trial data, and prioritization of improving patients’ clinical trajectories.
- Vascular & IR # 670Aug 18, 2026
Understanding IR Attrition: Causes & Solutions
Why do nearly half of IR residents consider leaving the specialty, and what can be done to change that? On this episode of the BackTable Podcast, Dr. Neil Jain interviews Dr. David Mittelstein, an integrated IR resident at UC San Diego and co-chair of the SIR RFS Recruitment Committee, about the findings of a national SIR survey on interventional radiology resident attrition. They discuss what drives uncertainty, from lifestyle and call burden to job market fears, and highlight the program features that encourage retention, such as structured training, high case volume, and a culture of camaraderie.