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Venous Disease & Access

NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital

Interventional Radiology: Venous Access Procedures

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What Is a Venous Access Procedure?

In a venous access procedure, a venous access device, a flexible and sterile thin plastic catheter, is inserted into a blood vessel to provide an effective method of drawing blood or administering blood products, medications, or nutrition into a patient's bloodstream. The device can be used over a period of weeks, months or even years. The type of venous access device depends on the patient’s unique needs. In some devices, the catheter’s tip remains outside the skin, where medications are administered and blood is drawn. In a device called a port, the access point is a small raised disk that is completely below the skin, and doctors insert a tiny needle through the skin above the disk to draw blood or deliver medication. Venous access devices can remain in place either temporarily (several days) or longer term (from weeks to years).

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS)

A transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a type of venous access procedure that is used in a damaged liver. In TIPS, a stent is placed from the portal vein, which carries blood to the liver, to the hepatic vein, which carries blood from the liver to the heart. TIPS forms a pathway that allows some of the blood to bypass the liver.

FAQ

Patients who are preparing for a venous access procedure should eat a light meal on the night before the procedure, and they should not eat or drink anything after midnight. Our staff will provide you with more detailed information about which medications you may take in days before and on the morning of the procedure. You should arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure.

When you arrive at the interventional radiology suite, you will change into a gown and then you will lie face up on the procedure table. We will intravenously give you “conscious sedation” medications to help you relax and block any pain.

Under image guidance, our interventional radiologists will identify the vein where we will position the catheter, and after making a small incision, will advance the catheter to that location through a vein in the arm, neck, or groin. For some types of catheters we will make a second incision, and create a tunnel or pocket below the skin for the device. If your device emerges from the skin we will place stitches, tape, or surgical glue to fix it in place. We may perform an X-ray after the procedure to ensure the catheter is positioned correctly. Your venous access device is then ready to be used.

Some people develop bruising or swelling at the site of venous access device insertion. Pain medicine may relieve your pain until it subsides.

When the procedure is complete, you will rest in the recovery area. You will be closely monitored for several hours.

When you are back home, you should continue to rest. You can resume your usual activities the following day; avoid lifting heavy objects, though. We will give you additional instructions before you leave the IR suite. When your doctor determines that you no longer need your venous access device, we will remove it using a very simple procedure that does not require image guidance.

Our Approach to Care

Comprehensive and Patient-Centered Care

At NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, you, the patient, are at the center of our approach to superior imaging and treatments that meet your individualized needs. Our fellowship-trained Columbia interventional radiologists perform all procedures. We explain the findings to you in easy-to-understand terms and work closely with your health care team so you can make educated and informed choices about your care.

Multidisciplinary Team Approach

Our interventional radiologists collaborate in multidisciplinary teams with NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital’s highly skilled and dedicated physicians in specialties such as Internal Medicine, Oncology, Surgery, Urology, Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Cardiology, and Pulmonology to provide compassionate care that is specifically tailored to your needs.

Why Choose Us

World-Class Interventional Radiology Expertise

Our board-certified interventional radiologists from ColumbiaDoctors, the faculty practice of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, offer unmatched expertise and experience in the latest minimally invasive, image guided procedures to diagnose and treat disease in the most complicated patients. Our team includes some of the most nationally and internationally renowned and respected interventional radiologists. In addition to caring for patients, they are also involved in the education of residents, fellows and medical students and in a wide range of research endeavors. Our interventional radiologists frequently collaborate with specialists throughout the NewYork-Presbyterian health care network, placing them at the forefront of advanced medical imaging and minimally invasive treatments.

Expertise in Venous Access Procedures

Venous access procedures are complex and challenging procedures that require expertise and a cautious approach. At NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, our board-certified interventional radiologists from ColumbiaDoctors, the faculty practice of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, offer unmatched expertise and experience in venous access procedures, even in the most complicated patients.

Cutting-Edge Technologies

At NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, we are continually committed to incorporating the latest cutting-edge imaging technologies into your care, including X-ray fluoroscopy, computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound. Each new generation of equipment provides better outcomes and reduces the patient’s exposure to radiation.

Empowering Patients with Information

We encourage all prospective patients and their families to learn as much as possible about their medical condition and the available treatment options. Our interventional radiologists are available for consultations to confirm a diagnosis, get a second opinion, or help evaluate their treatment options.

Book Radiology Appointments via NYP.org/Connect

Patients can book Radiology appointments online via NYP.org/Connect as long as the patient has an Epic Order.  Radiology appointments for X-Ray, ultrasound, bone density, echocardiogram, and limited CT and MRI scans.