Shyamkumar N. Keshava, DMRD, DNB, FRANZCR, FRCR
Charles Dotter conducted the first peripheral angioplasty in 1964. This groundbreaking
treatment initiated and inspired the subsequent development of the specialty. The
term “Interventional Radiology (IR)” was later introduced by Alexander R. Margulis
to describe image-guided, minimally invasive medical therapy. The decisions are made
on clinical requirements, and the procedures are image-guided and skill-based. Over
the decades, IR has expanded considerably in various areas, including patient care,
education, and research. It is considered essential in all the major hospitals, not
optional. The indications include both elective and life-saving emergency clinical
situations, offering advanced therapies with minimal invasiveness. Nevertheless, increased
visibility for the specialty is essential. The specialty evolved from a clinical service
reliant on referrals to its current status as an independent clinical specialty.
The most effective approach to engage the target population of both patients and clinicians
requires raising awareness. Individual departments, medical schools, and hospitals
could organize awareness programs and health camps. IR teams could contribute to relevant
clinical meetings and collaborating with local nongovernmental organizations may facilitate
outreach to the appropriate audiences. Social media can be utilized effectively to
connect with referring departments, the public, and patients. It is crucial to involve
medical students and radiology postgraduates, as they represent the future stakeholders
in this field.
Numerous professional IR societies exist and registering events on a calendar and
fostering coordination among these societies could develop the community. Notable
IR societies include the Asia Pacific Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional
Radiology, Canadian Association for Interventional Radiology, Chinese College of Interventionalists,
Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, Interventional Radiology
Society of Australasia, Indian Society for Vascular and Interventional Radiology,
Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology, Korean Society of Interventional Radiology,
Pan Arab Interventional Radiology Society, Society of African Interventional Radiology
& Endovascular Therapy, Ibero-American Society of Interventionism, Society of Interventional
Radiology, and Brazilian Society of Interventional Radiology and Endovascular Surgery.
Collaboration among these organizations, forming teams, and exchanging ideas are vital.
IR-based journals like the American Journal of Interventional Radiology , British Society of Interventional Radiology , Cardio Vascular and Interventional Radiology , Journal of Clinical Interventional Radiology , The Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology , and The Therapeutic and Interventional Radiology Journal can play a role. Planning, execution, follow-up, and auditing are equally important.
We commemorate specific days throughout the calendar year to dedicate ourselves to
various causes. Most of the medically recognized days pertain to cancer, blood disorders,
and conditions related to the central nervous system.
Dedicating January 16th to coincide with Dotter's exciting angioplasty seems to be
the ideal way to celebrate our specialty. The awareness day serves as a reminder for
us to inform others about the IR specialty, ensuring optimal patient care, educating
the public, and recognizing the diligent efforts of the IR team on a daily basis.
Like a murmuration of starlings, each interventional radiologist may seem like a solitary
voice—but when we move in harmony, we form something larger, fluid, and impossible
to ignore. Visibility grows not by the strength of one, but by the coordination of
many.
