Both interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons perform endovascular procedures. Interventional radiologists are certified in both diagnostic and interventional radiology and IR training incorporates complex peripheral vascular interventions as well as AAA repair.
The diagnostic radiology training allows them to possess the skills to read and interpret most imaging modalities. These skills benefit the interventionalist for procedure planning purposes as well as making intraoperative decisions. Vascular surgeons, on the other hand, have a different skill set and perform many open surgeries in addition to endovascular procedures. Due to their surgical training as their foundation and comfort with open cases, vascular surgeons may convert an endovascular case to an open case if necessary.