The future of anesthesia for interventional radiology.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review novel procedures in interventional radiology and describe anesthetic implications.

RECENT FINDINGS: Noninvasive treatment options for patients who are nonsurgical candidates are on the rise. The complication rate for patients receiving anesthesia in the interventional radiology suite is higher than other nonoperating room anesthetizing locations. The investigative use of catheter-directed thrombolysis for acute submassive pulmonary embolism will likely lead to an increased demand for anesthesia assistance. Treatment of prostate cancer with high-intensity focused ultrasound with MRI guidance is an alternative to surgical treatment and has unique anesthetic implications. With advances in technology, interventional radiologists have expanded their treatment armamentarium for benign and malignant bony lesions and thus the need for anesthesia assistance.

SUMMARY: As the complexity of procedures and patients increases, the demand for anesthesia support in interventional radiology rises. As novel techniques are being developed, anesthesiologists must be mindful of the increased complication rate in interventional radiology and work in a multidisciplinary approach to improve patient safety.