The Must Knows of IR: Part 1 (For first timers in IR)

IR Basics: Needles, Wires, Catheters, and Sheaths

This episode provides a rapid-fire masterclass on the four foundational tools of Interventional Radiology and how to navigate the complex sizing systems that dictate their use.

• The Sizing Headache: We demystify the three conflicting measurement systems—Gauge, French, and Inches—that every interventionalist must juggle simultaneously.

• Needles (The Gauge Paradox): We explain why lower numbers mean bigger needles (e.g., an 18-gauge is larger than a 21-gauge) and how to use the "Fit Rule" to match needles to wires (e.g., a 0.035" wire needs at least an 18-gauge needle).

• Catheters vs. Sheaths (The French Confusion):

  • Catheters are measured in French by their Outer Diameter (OD), indicating the size of the hole needed in the vessel.

  • Sheaths are the critical exception; they are measured by Inner Diameter (ID), meaning a 6 French sheath is designed to fit a 6 French catheter inside it.

• Safe Access Technique: We walk through the micropuncture exchange, a safety-first method that starts with a small 21-gauge needle and 0.018" wire to create a track before upgrading to standard 0.035" tools.

Tune in to master the essential "grammar" of IR tools for safer, more effective access.