Hands-on Device Training (HDT)

After a short kick-off presentation by the HDT coordinators, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the specifics as well as safe and effective use of the available technology in an interactive setting.

Each HDT will feature a round-table discussion with the coordinators at the end of each session, allowing participants to ask questions and provide feedback.

Participating industry partners have been invited by CIRSE to provide an overview of their devices and technologies.

How to participate

Participation will be free of charge for registered CIRSE 2023 delegates, but places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. As these sessions offer practical medical training, participation is for qualified medical professionals only.

Central lines and ports

Central lines and ports are continually more and more important in the daily activities of interventional radiologists. Thanks to imaging and interventional capabilities, IRs are able to position these catheters in complex situations that other specialists cannot resolve.

This Hands-on Device Training will provide an overview of available devices.

CBCT and image-guided fusion

C-arm Cone Beam CT (CBCT) is being integrated into many of the newer angiography systems in the interventional suite and has opened a myriad of opportunities for creating new clinical applications enabling previous sectional imaging fusion with high-contrast Angio or CBCT datasets, needle guidance, 2D real-time overlay of 3D volumes, 3D road mapping, embolization planning, and tumour targeting in ablation.

This work-station Hands-on Training aims to provide an overview of CBCT scanning protocols and post-processing in the main platforms and clinical scenarios.

Embolization: materials and tools

Embolization is an important part of an IR’s work, and as such, it is essential to thoroughly understand how to perform this technique in order to avoid complications. Having substantial knowledge of available materials is absolutely necessary when selecting the most suitable device for any scenario.

Percutaneous arteriovenous fistulas: the way forward

A percutaneous, endovascular arteriovenous fistula is a new way of creating vascular access for haemodialysis patients. Choosing the right patient to perform these procedures is critical to a successful outcome, which is defined by the ability of the newly formed vascular access to be cannulated. Familiarity with the technical aspects, the advantages and the limitations of the available devices is also important. Understanding the specific features of these newly created fistulas, the follow-up and finally, their cannulation is what is needed to provide the best services to the dialysis patient.

Percutaneous arteriovenous fistula creation is not just the device and the procedure; it is the entire journey from patient selection to fistula cannulation. All of these aspects and steps will be covered in this hands-on device training.

Mechanical thrombectomy

Mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure to remove flow obstructing blood clots from the arterial or venous vasculature with minimal to zero need for lyrics. In recent years, different technologies have been developed. These devices come with specific indications, modes of operation as well as their inherent pros and cons.

Two different hands-on device trainings will allow physicians to familiarize themselves with these exciting new treatment modalities.

Stroke thrombectomy

Stroke thrombectomy represents a relatively new frontier for interventional radiologists. The number of patients diagnosed with this pathological condition is increasing, and, as a consequence, it is necessary for interventional radiologists to participate in these procedures. For this, it is essential to have abundant experience as well as excellent knowledge of anatomy and the techniques and materials to be used. Participants of this Hands-on Device Training will have the chance to familiarise themselves with the most common thrombectomy devices.

Each HDT will feature a round-table discussion with the coordinators at the end of each session, allowing participants to ask questions and provide feedback.

Tumour ablation

Ablation plays a fundamental role in the minimally invasive treatment of cancer. Ablation technologies and equipment for live image guidance, stereotactic or robotic navigation as well as verification software continue to quickly develop in order to promote ablation simulation and planning, intra-procedural monitoring and outcome evaluation.

In order to stay up to date on these developments, this Hands-on Device Training will offer separate sessions to look at radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation and alternative techniques, including cryoablation, IRE and other image-guided technologies.

Varicose veins

Varicose veins are a manifestation of chronic venous disease, which causes significant impairment in quality of life for both men and women, physically and aesthetically. Recent developments in the endovascular treatment of saphenous vein reflux, which is the most common cause of varicose veins, led to a change in the treatment of varicose veins: from surgery to minimally invasive treatments, and from the OR to the office. Considering the increasing demand for treatment and the growing involvement of interventional radiologists, it is essential to understand the timing of such interventions and acquire basic skills in the methodology.

This Hands-on Device Training, coordinated by two experienced IRs in the field, aims to provide an overview of the selection of devices available and different techniques.

Venous access in small children

Whilst venous access is considered a mainstay of an interventional radiologist’s workload, the thought of undertaking venous access procedures in an infant can be met with some reticence by the unfamiliar hand.

This Hands-on Device Training will provide an overview of the devices available that can be used in small children and consideration given on how to correctly choose the size of a device depending on the child’s age and vein size.

Venous stenting practice

Venous diseases represent an ever-increasing component of the interventionalists’ workload. Venous intervention requires specific considerations, including adapting to the low flow, low pressure and low resistivity of the venous system. Along with traditional stent technology, several specific venous stents have become available to help restore and maintain vessel patency in a safe and efficient way. These are widely used in the management of venous obstruction for acute and chronic pathologies.

This hands-on device training will offer attendees the opportunity to explore and learn about new technology including IVUS, the various options for venous stenting, as well as the specific advantages of individual stents.

Vertebral augmentation

Every day, interventional radiologists are approached by patients to resolve their vertebral pathologies. In recent years, considerable technological progress has been made as a consequence of the extraordinary outcomes of minimally invasive techniques, which have helped countless patients to achieve pain relief and avoid many of the complications associated with open surgery.

In this Hands-on Device Training, vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty and balloon kyphoplasty will be discussed, and devices for each of these procedures will be presented and available for participants to practice with.