Interventional radiology’s contributions to the field of medicine are vast and continue to grow rapidly, as the use of image guided treatments expands amidst their obvious value in reducing, recovery times, hospital stays, and costs compared to open surgery. IR already plays a large role in inpatient care. A 2020 study that queried the National Inpatient Sample for 2016 found that approximately 1 in 10 adult patients required at least one IR procedure during their hospitalization, suggesting IR adds meaningful value to a variety of hospital-based care teams and should be an integral voice in discussions on how to improve patient outcomes in the United States.

The IR market is predicted to grow to $29.2 billion by 2024—a 6.1% compounded annual growth rate. As the field expands rapidly in new research and cutting-edge technological treatments, so too has the role of the interventional radiologist in patient care. We are here as partners to all clinicians. Just as we stepped in during the COVID-19 pandemic to help hospitals preserve their resources and alleviate the stress on ICUs and ORs, we have a larger role to play in addressing the maternal health crisis.


By investing in interventional radiology and expanding patients’ access, the value of IR can be multiplied throughout the healthcare ecosystem to the benefit of all.

About the author: Alda L. Tam, MD, FSIR is the 2023–2024 president of the Society of Interventional Radiology, a nonprofit, professional medical society representing more than 8,000 practicing interventional radiology physicians, trainees, students, scientists and clinical associates, dedicated to improving patient care through the limitless potential of image-guided therapies. Dr. Tam is also a professor in the Department of Interventional Radiology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

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