FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW DO I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?
Please talk with your primary care provider about your treatment options. If a procedure with our Interventional Radiology (IR) team is indicated, your provider will send us a consultation request. Our team will review the information and contact you to discuss the next steps.
In most cases, a pre-procedure ultrasound, CT scan or MRI will be needed before the procedure to help us plan your care. We’ll let you know if any additional imaging is required.
ARE MY IR VISITS COVERED BY ALBERTA HEALTH CARE?
Yes. SAVI Clinic consultations, associated imaging and subsequent procedures are covered by Alberta Health Care.
ARE THE EXAMS PERFORMED IN A MAYFAIR CLINIC?
While SAVI radiologists are part of the Mayfair family, the SAVI clinic is located at the Rockyview General Hospital Diagnostic Imaging Department. This is because of our specialized imaging and in particular, nurses and technologists at RGH who have vast knowledge supporting patients undergoing advanced IR procedures. The procedures themselves will take place at the Rockyview General Hospital or South Health Campus Interventional Radiology suites. In cases of advanced vascular pathology (aneurysms, chronic venous recanalization, etc), more advanced vascular equipment and surgical backup is required. These procedures are typically performed at the Peter Lougheed Centre. To book or inquire about a procedure, contact your primary care provider to discuss your options.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
Although all procedures carry some risk, most Interventional Radiology (IR) procedures are considered lower risk when compared to conventional surgery. Your radiologist will review the specific risks and possible complications of your procedure with you in detail.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FOR MY RECOVERY TIME?
Recovery time for IR procedures is considerably shorter than conventional surgical treatments. Every procedure is different, but for the most part, patients can expect to resume normal activity within 1-2 weeks from their procedure. Most procedures do not require hospital admission and patients can go home the same day.
HOW LONG WILL I BE IN HOSPITAL?
This depends on the type of procedure you are having. Most procedures are done as day admissions, meaning you can go home about 4–6 hours afterward. The main exception is uterine artery embolization, which usually requires an overnight stay.
DO THESE PROCEDURES HURT?
Discomfort from IR procedures vary. Most of these procedures are performed under conscious sedation and after receiving local anesthetic and are typically tolerated well. Blood vessels do not contain pain receptors, so for the most part, after we gain access to your blood vessels, there is no pain. Most patients are shocked by how simple and straightforward their procedure was. We understand that everyone experiences discomfort in unique ways and SAVI radiologists will work with you and your family to ensure all procedures are performed in a way to keep you comfortable. Sometimes a prescription for pain medication, anti-nausea or antibiotics are given afterwards.
WHAT SIZE OF INCISION WILL I HAVE? WILL IT LEAVE A SCAR?
All procedures are done through a small incision in the skin (usually about 5-10 mm wide). As a result, scarring is usually minimal or insignificant, especially compared with traditional surgical procedures.
WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
The specific equipment used in these procedures varies, but usually will include X-ray, ultrasound, and a selection of catheters and guidewires. These are usually smaller than a pencil lead and cause very minimal damage to the vessels. Some catheters have balloons embedded in them to help open the vessels, and others can deliver stents which can help to hold a part of the vessel open to allow for better blood flow. Your radiologist will explain the procedure to you in detail.
WHAT TYPE OF FOLLOW-UP WILL I RECEIVE
For most procedures you will be seen in the SAVI clinic afterwards. Often, we need to perform follow-up imaging to ensure your disease processes is improving and so we can catch any potential complications early. Some of our follow-up can be done by phone for your convenience.
SAVI PROVIDES A VAST RANGE OF INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY SERVICES SPECIFIC TO PATIENT NEEDS.
Our most commonly performed procedures are:
- PERIPHERIAL ARTERIAL DISEASE (PAD) INTERVENTION
- SPINAL INTERVENTIONS FOR COMPRESSION FRACTURES
- FALLOPIAN TUBE RECANALIZATION
- UTERINE ARTERY EMBOLIZATION (FIBRIOD TREATMENT)
- VARICOCELE EMBOLIZATION
- PELVIC CONGESTION SYNDROME TREATMENT
- VISCERAL OR PERIPHERAL ANEURYSM TREATMENT