Performance of carotid stenting, vertebroplasty, and EVAR: how many are we doing and why are we not doing more? A survey by the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the percentage of interventional radiologists who currently perform 3 interventional procedures: carotid stenting, vertebroplasty, and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in Canada, and impediments to their future performance by other interventional radiologists.


METHODS
An anonymous online survey was emailed to all members of the Canadian Interventional Radiology Association (CIRA). The survey was open for a period of 2 months.


RESULTS
A total of 75 survey responses were received (of an estimated 247). Carotid stenting, vertebroplasty, and EVAR were performed at 40%, 59%, and 46% of respondents' centres respectively. Wait times, from referral to consultation, and from consultation to procedure, were both typically between 2 to 4 weeks, longer for EVAR. Of respondents currently not performing these procedures, 26%, 28%, and 16% anticipated beginning to perform carotid stenting, vertebroplasty, and EVAR, respectively, in the proceeding year from time of survey. Of respondents who wished to perform the procedure, the greatest impediments were a lack of training, lack of a referral base, and lack of support from their radiology department and (or) colleagues.


CONCLUSIONS
Although carotid stenting, vertebroplasty, and EVAR were being performed at about one-half of respondent's centres, and there will likely be greater adoption of the procedures in the near future, there remain substantial impediments. The greatest impediments to additional radiologists performing these procedures were a lack of training, lack of referral base, and lack of support from their radiology department and (or) colleagues. The former impediment suggested an unmet need for additional training courses.
Baerlocher
Mark O
MO
Radiology Residency Training Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON. mark.baerlocher@utoronto.ca
Stewart
Brian
B
Asch
Murray R
MR
Raikhlin
Antony
A
Hayeems
Eran
E
Collingwood
Peter
P
Kachura
John R
JR
D000783:Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D017130:Angioplasty; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D003625:Data Collection; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital; D015642:Radiology, Interventional / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D015607:Stents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054854:Vertebroplasty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014850:Waiting Lists