Dr. Michael Barraza

When facing a complicated case of intracranial stenosis, should recanalization be attempted even if the procedure seems unlikely to be successful? Due to the safety of mechanical thrombectomy, even for complicated intracranial stenosis cases, many operators now recommend intervention and aggressive post-procedural management.

The stent retriever and aspiration catheter are common tools for stroke thrombectomy, yet the indications for which is better is often ambiguous. Dr. Hannes Nordmeyer and Dr. Matthew Gounis advise on how to choose your procedure kit and discuss new technologies for tough fibrin rich clots, including the Cerenovus Nimbus.

In this article, we address when to select balloon kyphoplasty over vertebroplasty, different balloon access techniques, and how to deploy the ideal amount of kyphoplasty cement filling.

This article aims to help you guide your patient through their pain while discussing the hows, whens, and whats of vertebral compression fracture treatment.

Interventional musculoskeletal radiologist Dr. Douglas Beall is a pioneer in MSK and spine intervention. Through continued innovation, he has expanded the boundaries of minimally invasive MSK/spine therapies, offering an expansive variety of procedures that are too numerous for us to list.

Interventional radiologist Dr. Douglas Beall discusses how he implements new methods into spine intervention practice as well as the benefits of innovation both for patients and IR professionals.

The importance of cementoplasty after RF ablation and how RF ablation with cementoplasty compares with radiation and combination therapy.

RF ablation for the palliative treatment of painful spinal lesions, highlighting patient selection, goals of therapy, and follow-up care.

Imaging work-up prior to elective TIPS procedure, preferred tools for executing TIPS, and TIPS technique.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) practices, patient selection, TIPS alternatives, and adjunctive therapy.

The Inari FlowTriever is the first mechanical thrombectomy system indicated for the treatment of pulmonary embolism. Dr. Tu and Dr. Tummala discuss the Inari FlowTriever Device, how to use it, and their technique for a successful mechanical thrombectomy procedure.

The treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE) continues to evolve. We discuss risk stratification and examine the role of a pulmonary embolism mechanical thrombectomy for treatment.

As awareness for pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS) increases, the optimal utility of imaging and catheter directed therapies for these conditions remains in question. Vascular experts, Dr. Michael Cumming and Dr. Mark Lessne, discuss the roles of IVUS and CT venography when diagnosing and treating PCS.

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is a versatile device used for both arterial and venous applications. In episode 52 of the BackTable podcast, Dr. Michael Cumming and Dr. Mark Lessne discuss indications for IVUS, false positives to watch out for, and why IVUS is a valuable tool for diagnosing central venous pathology.

Between office-based labs (OBL), ambulatory surgical centers, and hospitals, patients are treated in various settings by endovascular specialists across the country. In this episode of the BackTable podcast, Dr. Mary Costantino talks about the benefits and drawbacks of working in an OBL compared to a hospital.

An office-based lab (OBL) is a practice model that is becoming more frequent amongst interventional radiologists across the country. From financing to contract negotiations, Dr. Mary Costantino talks about her experience building an office-based lab & requirements for them.

The OTW technique for IVC filter placement was designed to improve the deployment and positioning of IVC filters while minimizing procedure complications. Dr. Mobley discusses filter stabilization techniques, periprocedural insight, and preferred vascular access sites for OTW IVC filter deployment.

IVC filters are used prophylactically in patients with contraindications to anticoagulants in order to prevent pulmonary embolism. Dr. David Mobley discusses over-the-wire (OTW) IVC filter placement techniques using the Argon Option ELITE filter, and why this technique helps to minimize tilting complications.

Effective drug delivery systems attempt to maximize homogeneous distribution of the respective agent to the entire tumor to induce cytotoxicity and tumor necrosis. Dr. Justin Lee and Dr. Terence Gade discuss how pressure-directed therapy improves drug delivery to areas of tumor burden in cases of HCC.

For the treatment of HCC, it is important to know the differences between DEB-TACE vs conventional TACE. Lipiodol-based conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) and drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) are two treatment options for intermediate-stage HCC.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radioembolization (Y90) have individualized roles in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Dr. Justin Lee and Dr. Terence Gade discuss which patients are best suited for TACE versus Y90, as well as the advantages and disadvantages for each intervention.

Choosing the appropriate procedural equipment can be daunting due to the breadth of options available. Dr. Dhand and Dr. Madassery discuss guidewire choices, balloon sizing for angioplasty, and more when treating peripheral arterial disease.

Anesthesia choice and intraprocedural anticoagulation are critical for optimal patient outcomes. Dr. Sabeen Dhand and Dr. Kumar Madassery discuss their preferences for managing sedation and anticoagulation in lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients.

Vascular access decisions should be tailored to the location of disease burden in patients with peripheral arterial disease. PAD experts Dr. Sabeen Dhand and Dr. Kumar Madassery review their tips and techniques for surgical access and end points when treating peripheral arterial disease.