Highlighting the increasing need for anaesthetic support in interventional radiology

Existing literature demonstrates the significant benefits of anaesthetic involvement in IR. The presence of an anaesthesiologist was associated with reduced procedural risks, enhanced patient satisfaction, and quicker postoperative recovery times. Despite these benefits, many IR departments remain under-resourced in terms of dedicated anaesthetic staff. Furthermore, training programmes for anaesthesiologists rarely focus on the unique demands of IR, creating a gap in specialist care. The growing complexity and risk associated with IR procedures underscore the need for expanded anaesthetic support in this field. Hospitals and healthcare systems should prioritise the integration of anaesthetic teams into IR, investing in specialist training and workforce expansion. Doing so can improve patient outcomes and the overall efficiency of IR procedures, reducing procedural risks, increasing patient satisfaction, and facilitating quicker postoperative recovery times.