A subspecialty of radiology, vascular interventional radiology emphasizes the use of image-guided, minimally invasive techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of a number of different medical conditions. Vascular radiological procedures, which are often less costly than surgical approaches, typically involve the use of a catheter, which the physician guides into place using X-ray imaging equipment.

Vascular interventional radiologists in the UAB Heart and Vascular Center see some 6,000 patients a year. The center features a total of 13 procedural suites, 4 of which are dedicated to vascular interventional radiology.