January 16, Celebrating Global Interventional Radiology Day

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.

Die Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
09. Dezember 2025