Ateneo - UPO

The course addresses the technical, technological, and organizational aspects of key diagnostic and therapeutic interventional radiology procedures, with particular emphasis on the role of the medical radiology technologist.
Topics covered include the organization of the angiography suite; equipment and techniques for image acquisition and post-processing; patient preparation; and the primary materials and devices used in vascular and non-vascular interventional procedures.
Special attention will be given to image quality, radiation protection for patients and staff, and dose optimization.

Teaching materials and presentations provided by the instructor.
Guidelines and recommendations from leading national and international scientific societies in the fields of interventional radiology and radiation protection.
Technical and scientific documentation regarding the equipment, materials, and devices used in interventional procedures.

The course aims to provide students with the theoretical and technical-practical knowledge necessary to understand and participate in key interventional radiology procedures, within the scope of the Medical Radiology Technician's (TSRM) professional competencies.
By the end of the course, students will be expected to be familiar with the characteristics of the equipment used, image acquisition and post-processing techniques, the main materials and devices, and the procedures for preparing and managing the interventional suite.
Students must also understand the principles of radiation protection and dose optimization, as well as the role of the Medical Radiology Technician within the multidisciplinary team.

Basic knowledge of anatomy and radiological anatomy, ionizing radiation physics, radiological equipment, digital image formation, contrast media, and principles of radiation protection.
Basic knowledge of vascular anatomy is also useful.

Lectures supported by multimedia presentations, radiological and angiographic images, and videos of key interventional procedures.
Presentation and discussion of clinical-technical cases, focusing on room preparation, equipment usage, material selection, image acquisition and post-processing techniques, and radiation protection.

eaching materials used during lectures may be made available through the University's official channels.
The topics covered during lectures form an integral part of the exam syllabus.

Student learning will be assessed via an oral examination as part of the integrated course exam.
The assessment will focus on verifying knowledge of key interventional radiology techniques, the equipment, materials, and devices used, and the student's ability to describe the various technical and operational stages of the procedures.
Additionally, the assessment will evaluate knowledge of radiation protection principles and dose optimization, the ability to link theoretical knowledge to professional practice, and the appropriateness of the technical-scientific terminology used.

Organization of Interventional Radiology
Organization and characteristics of the interventional suite. Multidisciplinary team composition. Role and competencies of the Medical Radiology Technician (TSRM). Room and patient preparation.
Equipment and Image Formation
Operating principles of the angiography system. Monoplane systems. Fluoroscopy and angiographic acquisition. Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA). Roadmapping. Rotational acquisitions and 3D reconstructions. Cone Beam CT. Post-processing techniques.
Materials and Devices
Introducers, guidewires, diagnostic catheters, and guiding catheters. Microcatheters and micro-guidewires. Contrast media injection systems. Key devices used in interventional procedures: balloons, stents, endoprostheses, coils, and embolization materials.
Vascular Procedures
Technical principles of diagnostic angiography. Vascular access. Angioplasty and stenting. Embolization procedures. Endovascular treatment of hemorrhage. Principles of aortic and peripheral procedures.
Extravascular Procedures
Technical and organizational principles of major extravascular interventional procedures.
Biopsies and image-guided percutaneous procedures. Percutaneous drainage. Biliary and urinary tract procedures. Overview of percutaneous ablation techniques.
Technical Management of the Procedure
Patient and room preparation. Organization and layout of materials. Patient positioning. Equipment management during the procedure. Image acquisition and post-processing. Management of emergency situations within the scope of professional practice.
Radiation Protection
Radiation protection for patients and staff. Individual and collective protective equipment.
Technical parameters influencing dose.
Dosimetric indicators.
Optimization of fluoroscopy and angiographic acquisitions.
Management of high-exposure procedures.
Quality and safety
Image quality assessment.
Common artifacts.
Optimization of acquisition protocols.
Patient and staff safety.

Knowledge and understanding
Students must be familiar with the technical principles of equipment used in Interventional Radiology, image acquisition and processing methods, and the main materials and devices used in vascular and non-vascular procedures.
Applying knowledge and understanding
Students must be able to apply the knowledge acquired to the preparation and technical management of key interventional procedures, understanding the various stages of the procedure and identifying the most appropriate acquisition methods.
Making judgments
Students must be able to evaluate the technical quality of images and identify strategies for optimizing acquisition and radiation dose within the scope of their professional competencies.
Communication skills
Students must use technical-scientific terminology correctly and communicate effectively with members of the multidisciplinary team.
Learning skills
Students must acquire the necessary tools to independently update their knowledge regarding advancements in Interventional Radiology equipment, materials, and techniques.