The Role of Interventional Radiology and Management of an Angiography Suite in the Treatment of COVID-19 Patients: Single-Center, 2-Year Experience

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Hospital angiography suites with negative-pressure ventilation facilities are challenging to equip. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we aimed to introduce interventional radiology procedures performed on COVID-19 patients and understand management of the angiography suite without a negative-pressure ventilation facility before and after the procedures to prevent the spread of infection. Materials and Methods: Between December 2020 and November 2022, 52 COVID-19 patients underwent interventional radiology procedures in an angiography suite, where no negative-pressure ventilation facility was installed. During the procedure, all staff members wore full personal protection equipment, and after the procedure for the COVID-19-positive patient was completed, the angiography suite was disinfected and entry to the angiography suite was prohibited for 1–3 h. In this angiography suite, procedures for COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 patients were performed. Results: A total of 61 interventional radiology procedures were performed in 52 patients with COVID-19. Of 52 patients, 21 underwent procedures under intubation and mechanical ventilation. All procedures were performed according to the guidelines set by the Infection Control Committee of our hospital. No major or minor complications were associated with the procedures. There were no cases of infection among staff members or other non-COVID-19 patients related to procedures on COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: Interventional radiology can play an important role in solving the complications of COVID-19 and the problems caused by patients’ underlying diseases. In addition, if accurate guidelines are followed, both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients can undergo procedures in an angiography room without negative-pressure ventilation while preventing infection.