Interventional Radiology - Review

Optimizing care for the obese patient in interventional radiology

10.5152/dir.2016.16230

  • Dwight Aberle
  • Hearns Charles
  • Steven Hodak
  • Daniel O’Neill
  • Rahmi Oklu
  • Amy R. Deipolyi

Received Date: 05.05.2016 Accepted Date: 24.06.2016 Diagn Interv Radiol 2017;23(2):156-162

With the rising epidemic of obesity, interventional radiologists are treating increasing numbers of obese patients, as comorbidities associated with obesity preclude more invasive treatments. These patients are at heightened risk of vascular and oncologic disease, both of which often require interventional radiology care. Obese patients pose unique challenges in imaging, technical feasibility, and periprocedural monitoring. This review describes the technical and clinical challenges posed by this population, with proposed methods to mitigate these challenges and optimize care.