Interventional Radiology Society of Australasia

05/03/2026

🚨 News Watch: Blood clots and advances in PE treatment

You may have seen the news about the recent and tragic death of beloved actor Catherine O'Hara. Her tragic passing has brought renewed attention to blood clots AKA pulmonary embolisms (PE) - an all-too-common condition.

PE is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition caused by a blood clot that blocks an artery in the lungs. In Australia, about 17,000 people develop venous blood clots (including pulmonary embolism) each year.

Time is of the essence when delivering emergency PE care, and interventional radiologists are becoming increasingly critical alongside emergency doctors, intensive care units, physicians, and multidisciplinary care teams to ensure patients receive the urgent care they need.

Leveraging cutting-edge (IR) techniques, interventional radiologists help to:

🚑 Stabilise critically unwell patients

🚑 Reduce strain on the heart

🚑 Offer treatment when anticoagulation alone or systemic thrombolysis aren’t appropriate

Thanks to advancements in IR, such as new minimally invasive procedures and advanced techniques like catheter-directed thrombolysis and thrombectomy, the way we respond to PE is evolving rapidly.

In Australia, the IR teams at Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) and South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) are helping shape the evolving role of interventional radiology within PE response teams.

According to Peter, PE patient, thanks to his IR thrombectomy procedure at FSH and SMHS, he was able to recover quickly and return to his active lifestyle, “fishing, boating and caravanning” as usual.

Catherine O'Hara and Peter's stories are a powerful reminder of the importance of recognising symptoms early and understanding treatment options available.

👉 Read more about Peter’s story and the work of his IR team here: https://fsfhg.health.wa.gov.au/News/2025/10/08/Interventional-Radiology-procedure-helping-patients-like-Peter-to-recover-faster

And visit https://irsa.com.au/patient-center/ to learn more about minimally invasive treatment options for .

In a first, the Interventional Radiology team were called in to perform an emergency pulmonary embolism thrombectomy on 70 year old Peter, removing a blood clot from his lungs without needing to open his chest.

04/02/2026

Behind every cancer diagnosis is a unique human story of resilience, grief, hope, and healing. ❤️

This World Cancer Day, we’re reflecting on the theme and the importance of care that’s tailored to each person.

For some patients, minimally invasive interventional radiology (IR) procedures, such as cryoablation and embolisation, may form part of a broader, multidisciplinary management plan, with the potential to support recovery and quality of life.

Reflecting on their experience, one kidney cancer survivor says: “When I was diagnosed with kidney cancer, I was dreading surgery. That’s when I found a minimally invasive cryoablation procedure that better suited my needs and helped me return more quickly to the life I love.” – HC

👉Visit https://irsa.com.au/patient-center/ to learn more about how IR supports multidisciplinary care for people living with cancer.

29/01/2026

✨ One of the best parts of the IRSA's Annual Scientific Meetings (ASM) is connecting with peers from all across the globe — and in 2026 we’re creating even more opportunities to do exactly that.

Alongside the scientific program, at IRSA's ASM 2026 (20 - 22 July) delegates can look forward to a refreshed social line-up designed for connection and community, from a Welcome Function prior to the ASM, to the ASM Dinner on the penultimate night, finishing with ‘Raise a Glass’, a relaxed farewell happy hour with abstract award presentations, drinks and canapés 🥂

🌍 We’re also proud to welcome an outstanding international faculty, including:

Dr Mona Ranade, Associate Professor Stanford University School of Medicine
Professor Jin Woo Choi, Clinical Associate Professor Seoul National University Hospital
Professor Marc Sapoval, Hôpital Européen


🔔 For updates, program announcements and registration details, visit https://www.irsaasm.com/

27/01/2026

📢 Call for Abstracts is now open for IRSA's Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) 2026.

Have a project, technique, audit or piece of clinical work that deserves the spotlight? We invite you to submit your abstract and share your work with the interventional radiology (IR) community at IRSA’s ASM 2026, one of Australasia’s leading forums for IR education, research and networking.

All accepted abstracts will be published in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology (JMIRO), with prizes available across multiple categories.

Read below for key dates, categories and how to submit.

📆 Key dates

• Abstract submission deadline: Friday, 29 May 2026
• Notification of acceptance: Monday, 15 June 2026
• Registration deadline for accepted authors: Friday, 3 July 2026

🏆 Submission categories & prizes

• Oral (Registrars / IR Fellows): Best presentation prize includes CIRSE Congress registration + return economy flights + accommodation
• E-poster (Nurses / Radiographers): $1,000 | $500 | $250
• Oral (Medical Students / Junior Doctors): $1,000 | $500 | $250
• General abstract submissions (Oral presentations)

👉 Submit your abstract: https://www.irsaasm.com/

20/01/2026

🚀 Early Bird registrations are now open for IRSA's Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) 2026.

We’re excited to invite you to one of Australasia’s leading forums for IR education, research and networking, taking place Monday 20 – Wednesday 22 July at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Under the theme ‘Flow of Innovation’, the 2026 IRSA ASM program will showcase the ideas, technologies and collaborations shaping the future of IR.

Delegates can look forward to:
💡 High-impact plenary sessions, hands-on workshops and interactive discussions

💡A program designed to translate innovation directly into clinical practice, whether you’re early in training or a leader in the field.

📝Visit our website for more details and secure your spot for one of the biggest IR events in Australasia: https://www.irsaasm.com/

You don't want to miss it!

22/12/2025

06/11/2025

📢Exciting news!

The Interventional Radiology Society of Australasia (IRSA) is proud to announce the release of its White Paper on Clinical Practice in Interventional Radiology in the Springer Nature CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology (CVIR) journal.

Developed by the Executive team, the paper maps out a clear framework for patient-centred IR care in Australia and New Zealand.

By outlining practical recommendations for local health networks to align with the standards set by The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) and Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE), this paper reflect the quality of care our patients expect and deserve to receive with IR.

💡For insights on clinical practice, governance and patient access, read the open-access publication here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00270-025-04264-8

Home CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology Article Interventional Radiology Society of Australasia (IRSA) White Paper on Clinical Practice in Interventional Radiology EDITORIAL OTHER Open access Published: 05 November 2025 (2025) Cite this article You have full access to this open access artic...

17/10/2025

📣 We're pleased to announce that the 2025 IRSA ASM accepted abstracts have been published in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology (JMIRO)!

From Interventional Radiology fellows and RANZCR registrars to medical students, junior doctors, nurses and radiographers, this year's abstracts showcase a diverse range of research aimed at advancing knowledge and IR techniques for better patient outcomes.

👏 Congratulations to all 2025 IRSA ASM accepted abstract submitters!

A heartfelt thank you to JMIRO for their continued support of promoting research in interventional radiology.

👉 View all abstracts here:

Click on the title to browse this issue

19/09/2025

📅Save the Date!

We are delighted to announce that the IRSA Annual Scientific Meeting 2026 will be held from Monday 20 – Wednesday 22 July 2026.

📍The ASM will take place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, bringing together global colleagues and experts in interventional radiology.

Join us in Brisbane for three days of cutting-edge education, world-class speakers, and invaluable networking opportunities.

✨ Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details on the program, speakers, and sponsorship opportunities!

17/09/2025

It was fantastic to see so many antipodeans representing Australia and New Zealand at the CIRSE Congress 2026! 🙌

This congress is always an incredible opportunity to:

✨ Connect with our global IR colleagues

✨ Share new knowledge and techniques

✨ Bring home global innovations in IR to improve patient care

A big thank you to the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Society of Europe (CIRSE) for hosting and for everyone who made the journey — your presence strengthens our international networks and showcases the talent of the ANZ IR community on the world stage. 💙

10/09/2025

As awareness of interventional radiology (IR) continues to grow, so too does the need for clear, accessible information about these minimally invasive, image-guided care options.

That’s why has launched two new resources designed to help patients better understand IR and its role in their health journey:

✔️ A patient-friendly FAQ page that answers the most common questions about IR including what it involves, how to access it, and potential costs.

✔️ A ‘Your IR Pathway’ infographic, a step-by-step guide to consulting an IR, from referral through to management.

By making these resources more accessible and easier to navigate, we hope to empower patients with the knowledge they need to have informed discussions with their healthcare providers and support the best possible health outcomes.

Explore the new FAQ page and 'Your IR Pathway' infographic here:

Patient FAQs GENERAL INFORMATION What is interventional radiology (IR)? Interventional radiology (IR) is a medical specialty that uses minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to diagnose, manage

14/08/2025

Specialised and collaborative care is key to improving patient outcomes.

Yet, finding the right information isn’t always easy, which can make it hard to find personalised healthcare that truly meets your needs.

To make this process more accessible for those living in Australia and New Zealand, IRSA has created a Doctor Finder Tool to connect patients with relevant clinicians in their area.

💡Watch the instructional video for an easy, step-by-step guide to finding an interventional radiologist near you!

For more information, visit

Specialised and collaborative care is key to improving patient outcomes. Yet, finding the right information isn't always easy, which can make it hard to