About Your Anesthesia During Interventional Radiology Procedures

This information explains the different types of anesthesia (A-nes-THEE-zhuh) you may get during your interventional radiology (IR) procedure. 

Anesthesia is medicine to help keep you from feeling pain or discomfort during your procedure. Not everyone gets the same type of anesthesia. Your care team will recommend the option best for your procedure, and safest for you based on your health.

Before your procedure, your anesthesia care team will explain your anesthesia plan and answer your questions.

Local anesthesia

Local anesthesia numbs a small area of your body where your procedure will be done. It will be given as an injection (shot). You’ll stay awake during your procedure. You may feel pressure or movement, but you should not feel sharp pain.

Regional anesthesia 

Regional anesthesia numbs a larger area of your body. It will be given as an injection (shot). It may be used by itself or with another type of anesthesia. 

You may feel pressure or movement, but you should not feel sharp pain.

Moderate sedation

Moderate sedation (MOSED) is sometimes called light sedation, conscious sedation, or twilight sedation. It helps you feel relaxed and sleepy during your procedure. You may still be awake enough to talk to your care team.  

Moderate sedation is given by nurses with special training under a doctor’s guidance or an advanced practice provider. They’ll monitor you closely during your procedure. Many people remember very little, or nothing at all, about their procedure.

Monitored anesthesia care

Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is given by a member of your anesthesia care team. It helps you feel comfortable during your procedure.

You may get light or deep sedation. With light sedation, you stay awake, but you feel relaxed and sleepy. With deep sedation, you may sleep or feel drowsy for parts of your procedure. Many people remember very little, or nothing at all, about their procedure.

Monitored anesthesia care is given by a member of the anesthesia care team. Your anesthesia care team will monitor you closely throughout your procedure

General anesthesia

General anesthesia keeps you asleep during your procedure. You will not be aware of what’s happening. You’ll get anesthesia through an IV (a small tube placed in your vein) and by breathing in anesthesia with a face mask (or however you breathe).

This will keep you asleep and comfortable during your procedure. Your anesthesia care team will monitor you closely throughout your procedure.

After your procedure

Your care team will monitor you until it is safe for you to go home. You care team will let you know what to expect. 

How your anesthesia is chosen

Your care team will choose the type of anesthesia that’s best for you, based on:

• Your health and health history.
• The type of procedure you’re having.
• How long they think your procedure will take.

If you have questions about your anesthesia plan, talk to your care team.