BackTable / VI / Contributor

Dr. Michael Barraza
Interventional Radiologist
Dr. Michael Barraza is a practicing interventional radiologist (and all around great guy) with Radiology Associates in Baton Rouge, LA.
Listen to Dr. Michael Barraza on the BackTable VI Podcast
The BackTable Podcast is a knowledge resource by physicians for physicians. Learn from the experiences and expertise of Dr. Michael Barraza and get practical advice on how to build your practice by listening to the BackTable VI Podcast.
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About Dr. Michael Barraza
Dr. Barraza spearheads strategic direction of BackTable and is a regular host of our podcast. Identifying the vast potential for BackTable as a one-stop hub to support his specialty, he volunteered as a consultant before officially joining the BackTable team in mid-2017. Dr. Barraza is a practicing interventional radiologist in Baton Rouge, LA. Outside of work, Dr. Barraza likes to do more work, make/raise kids, and create fantastic podcasts.
Podcasts Featuring Dr. Michael Barraza
VI Episode #573

What tricks do you have up your sleeve to help you get through tough cases? In this special episode of the BackTable Podcast, Drs. Ally Baheti, Mike Barraza, and Chris Beck spotlight the most creative and practical pearls from the 2025 BackTable Tips & Tricks competition, showcasing standout submissions and clever techniques shared by their peers.
VI Episode #569

From new techniques to evolving best practices–are you up to date with the latest developments in carotid artery stenting? In this episode, Dr. Wayne Olan, Interventional Neuroradiologist and the director of Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery at George Washington University joins Dr. Michael Barraza for a discussion on the latest innovations and evolving techniques in carotid artery stenting.
MSK Episode #83

From patient selection to procedure technique–learn the key insights that shape a successful kyphoplasty and spine ablation practice. In this episode of the BackTable MSK Podcast, host Dr. Michael Barraza welcomes back Dr. Asad Baig, an Interventional Radiologist and director of the Interventional Spine Center at Columbia University. They discuss the latest developments at Columbia, focusing on exciting expansions in the interventional radiology and spine realms. The primary focus of their conversation is on advanced techniques in spine ablation and kyphoplasty, and the ideal patient profile for these treatments.
VI Episode #558

Are your current stroke interventions in line with the latest clinical data? Dr. Blaise Baxter, interventional radiologist at Sutter Health, and Dr. Jim Milburn, interventional neuroradiologist at the Ochsner Health, join host Dr. Michael Barraza to discuss the latest advancements in stroke interventions.
VI Episode #551

What would you do if your IR/DR practice underwent major ownership and staffing changes just one week after signing your first attending contract? In this episode of BackTable, Dr. Waqaar Diwan joins host Dr. Michael Barraza to share his experience facing exactly that challenge—and how it led to the eventual development of his own independent IR practice.
VI Episode #546

Inside the American Board of Radiology (ABR) Core Exam: What’s in store for future IR/DR trainees? In this episode, Dr. Mike Barraza and Dr. Sabeen Dhand sit down with Dr. Quinn Meisinger, interventional radiologist and program director at UC San Diego, for a deep dive into the shifting landscape of the IR/DR training.
VI Episode #527

Targeted, image-guided interventions can make a big difference for patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Learn how in this week’s BackTable episode featuring Dr. Clifford R. Weiss (Director of the Johns Hopkins Vascular Anomalies Center and HHT Center of Excellence) and host Dr. Michael Barraza.
VI Episode #526

Teleradiology, artificial intelligence, and private equity takeovers—how do we navigate these rapid changes in the radiology landscape? In this episode, our co-hosts Dr. Ally Baheti and Dr. Mike Barraza bring Dr. Ben White back to the show to provide an update on the current radiology job market and share his insights on reclaiming value for the profession. Dr. White begins by reflecting on the changes since his last appearance with us in 2022, focusing primarily on the ongoing shortage of radiologists, which has lasted longer than anticipated during the pandemic, and the explosion of teleradiology.
Industry Episode #89

Teleradiology, artificial intelligence, and private equity takeovers—how do we navigate these rapid changes in the radiology landscape? In this episode, our co-hosts Dr. Ally Baheti and Dr. Mike Barraza bring Dr. Ben White back to the show to provide an update on the current radiology job market and share his insights on reclaiming value for the profession. Dr. White begins by reflecting on the changes since his last appearance with us in 2022, focusing primarily on the ongoing shortage of radiologists, which has lasted longer than anticipated during the pandemic, and the explosion of teleradiology.
VI Episode #518

Do we finally have definitive data on the efficacy of prostate artery embolization (PAE)? Dr. Shivank Bhatia (interventional radiologist at University of Miami) joins host Dr. Michael Barraza to discuss the findings from his prospective 1,075 patient study on the long-term outcomes of PAE, the largest longitudinal, single-center, single-operator, prospective study in the United States.
VI Episode #500

500 episodes of BackTable calls for a special reunion! The original hosts—Dr. Aaron Fritts, Dr. Chris Beck, Dr. Ally Baheti, Dr. Sabeen Dhand, Dr. Mike Barraza, and producer Kieran Gannon—come together to celebrate by reminiscing about the podcast’s origins and evolution. They discuss the challenges of improving the podcast, share funny behind-the-scenes moments, and highlight their favorite episodes. The team also offers insights into how they choose topics and reflects on their experiences with both virtual and in-person recordings. Finally, they introduce the new BackTable Studio and highlight the upcoming Creator Weekends.
VI Episode #489

Historically, public recognition and understanding of IR has been limited, with a significant portion of patients unaware of interventional procedures and the field as a whole. How can we improve awareness of IR and minimally invasive treatment options? Dr. Mina Makary discusses this and his recent study on public perceptions of IR, with host Dr. Michael Barraza. Dr. Makary is a vascular and interventional radiologist and an Associate Professor of Radiology at The Ohio State University.
MSK Episode #60

Tumor embolization is a versatile procedure that can provide symptomatic and long-term benefits for patients. In this episode of BackTable MSK, host Dr. Michael Barraza discusses musculoskeletal tumor embolizations with Dr. Gina Landinez from the Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, where she is helping to grow the MSK interventions program.
VI Episode #487

Tumor embolization is a versatile procedure that can provide symptomatic and long-term benefits for patients. In this episode of BackTable MSK, host Dr. Michael Barraza discusses musculoskeletal tumor embolizations with Dr. Gina Landinez from the Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, where she is helping to grow the MSK interventions program.
VI Episode #485

Are you up-to-date on microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment? Dr. Zachary Berman and host Dr. Michael Barraza discuss this treatment modality. They cover the spectrum of pre-procedure imaging and planning, procedure steps, and tips for navigating difficult cases. Dr. Berman is a hepatobiliary interventional oncologist and Associate Clinical Professor of Radiology at UC San Diego School of Medicine.
VI Episode #475

While GLP-1 agonists continue to gain popularity in the medical management of diabetes and obesity, Dr. Cliff Weiss is exploring bariatric arterial embolization (BAE) as an adjunctive therapy to help patients sustain weight loss. Dr. Weiss, the Director of IR Research at Johns Hopkins, joins the show to discuss the techniques and impacts of BAE for obesity treatment.
MSK Episode #49

In this episode, Dr. Aron Chary provides an in-depth look into endovascular and minimally invasive treatments for pain management, specifically focusing on cryoneurolysis. He shares his experience of implementing the technology for both benign and malignant conditions in an independent private practice setting.
VI Episode #441

In this episode, Dr. Aron Chary provides an in-depth look into endovascular and minimally invasive treatments for pain management, specifically focusing on cryoneurolysis. He shares his experience of implementing the technology for both benign and malignant conditions in an independent private practice setting.
VI Episode #428

In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, host Dr. Michael Barraza interviews guest Dr. Marcelo Guimaraes about the advantages and implementation of radial access in interventional radiology. Dr. Guimaraes is a vascular and interventional radiologist from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
VI Episode #421

In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, host Dr. Michael Barraza interviews guest Dr. Brian Holly about different surgical scenarios relating to biliary interventions. Dr. Holly is a practicing interventional radiologist and Assistant Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences at Johns Hopkins University.
Articles Featuring Dr. Michael Barraza
For the physician performing a genicular nerve ablation procedure, there are certain patient presentations, anatomical nuances, procedure techniques, and potential complications that you should pay close attention to. Dr. Smirniotopoulos shares some of his lessons learned in performing countless genicular nerve ablations, focusing especially on these topics.
Through the lens of different case studies, Dr. Rehan Quadri underscores critical elements to successfully treating clot in transit, including pre-procedural planning and equipment competency. He also dives into two common challenges when treating clot in transit: concomitant pulmonary embolism and shunts.
Variety in prostatic artery embolization (PAE) procedure techniques, such as catheter choice, endpoints, particle sizes, and use of coils or liquids can lead to inconsistent procedure outcomes. Interventional radiologist Dr. Sam Mouli explains his techniques and recommendations to better standardize prostatic artery embolization in practice.
Dr. Rehan Quadri discusses the indications for treating patients with, what he calls, “clot in transit”. Using real examples from his experiences as a new attending at UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Quadri outlines the clinical course for patients with clot in transit, from diagnosis to management.
The rapid evolution of the PAE procedure has led to the utilization of various pre-procedural practices. Questionnaires, Uroflow, CT, MRI, and cone beam CT have been used, among other tools, to work up patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and plan treatment. Learn more about PAE procedure workup.
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.
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.
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Disclaimer: The Materials available on BackTable.com are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.