Looking for an Interventional Radiologist

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Well I least now I know the type of the doctor I'm looking for. That's progress. A week ago I didn't know what they call the specialist that does the procedure. Interventional radiology is when they use blood vessels or arteries as a highway to feed in a wire to go to a remote location. What's on the end of the wire can be all sorts of different stuff including a laser emitting device. The wire goes in through either a needle or a small incision from a remote location. Then the wire gets fed in remotely towards the blood clot that the patient wants eliminated. I'm a Veteran but the VA doesn't do that procedure.

I'm looking for some pointers on how to go about finding a good doctor. In this case it would be an Interventional Radiologist. I'm thinking the name probably stems from intervening into the problem using radiographic imagery to display to the doctor where he's at with the instrument and where he needs to go. I have no idea what this is going to cost since I have no health insurance. Hopefully they can reduce the bill a little bit if I tell them I'm paying out of pocket.

You guys that have searched and found specific doctors, how did you go about it?
 
Do you have a doctor you see regularly? I'd start there. Ask who he would go to. I work in a hospital, so asking experienced staff is a no brainer. Experienced radiology staff know who has skills, and who they would not go to.

Some cardiologists also perform peripheral procedures. Some are very good, those who do volume. I would not want a cardiologist that dabbles in PV ( does just a few cases per year to keep privileges).

Public reporting can be a mixed bag of info.
 
The procedure of running wires or tubes through blood vessels to clear up clots, etc. is typically called a catheterization. Yes a sophisticated x-ray machine will be used to monitor the process, but the doctor is a specialist in what is being worked on, not a radiologist.
 
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Depending on the location of the clot, many disciplines do this.

These include:
- Interventional Radiologists - depending on training and skill, these can work solo or in concert with another MD depending on the location/complexity of the procedure
- Interventional Cardiologists - if you've ever had an arteriogram or angiogram, it's been done by one of these, same concept except specifically cardiac related
- Vascular Surgeons - if you have a clot in an extremity (DVT) or in your neck, these will work in concert with the Interventional Rad to remedy this
- NeuroRadiologist - works primarily in and around the brain
 
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You are looking for a vascular surgeon. They do catheter procedures and regular surgery. The catheter procedures are done in radiology. The type of procedure has to be determined by your surgeon.

Doesn't the VA do a referral for stuff like this?
 
Good luck with the procedure. I'd start with my gp for a referral; but if that is no help do a Google search for: "interventional radiologist near san antonio"
 
I would think there should be a whole slew of doctors , of every type , in San Antonio ?

Can you get Obama Care ? How old are you ?

A year ago a local cardiologist did a heart cath / aerogram on me looking at / for blood clots . He said he did not find any significant ones .

I am on medicare , now .

Do not know if this helps any ?

Best of luck to you , :)
 
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