40,000 Procedures and Counting: Two Decades of Interventional Radiology Excellence
Finding a trusted interventional radiology specialist in Florida means looking beyond board certification to actual procedural volume, clinical depth, and the ability to treat complex cases that other practices decline. Dr. William Julien, founder of South Florida Vascular Associates, has surpassed 40,000 procedures across two decades of practice, building one of the most experienced embolization programs in the southeastern United States. Whether you are researching relief from benign prostatic hyperplasia, uterine fibroids, or hemorrhoids, this page will help you understand what separates an experienced interventional specialist from a generalist and why that distinction matters for your outcome.
What an Interventional Radiology Specialist in Florida Actually Does
Interventional radiology is a subspecialty that uses image-guided, catheter-based techniques to treat conditions that once required open surgery. Instead of large surgical openings, an interventional radiologist works through a tiny needle puncture in the body and navigates a thin catheter to the precise target area using real-time imaging. The result is a procedure that can accomplish outcomes comparable to surgery, with significantly less recovery time and/ or preserved organ function.
At South Florida Vascular Associates, the clinical focus centers on embolization: a technique that reduces or cuts off blood supply to problem tissue. The full range of treatments offered includes Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) for BPH, Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) for symptomatic fibroids, and minimally invasive hemorrhoid embolization for patients seeking a non-surgical alternative. This concentration in embolization across multiple conditions reflects a depth of subspecialty focus that generalist vascular practices rarely achieve.
Same-Day, Outpatient Setting
All procedures at South Florida Vascular Associates are performed in an on-site, state-of-the-art outpatient suite, not a hospital operating room. All of our patients go home the same day. Most patients treated for BPH or hemorrhoids return to normal activities the next day. Most Uterine fibroid patients return to normal activities within one week. This outpatient model was not an afterthought; Dr. Julien helped pioneer one of the first advanced outpatient endovascular surgery suites in the country, bringing hospital-level capability to a setting built entirely around patient convenience and comfort.
The Depth of Experience Behind 40,000 Interventional Radiology Procedures
Volume matters in interventional radiology. Catheter navigation, embolic agent selection, and real-time decision-making during a procedure all improve with repetition. Reaching 40,000 procedures over three decades places Dr. Julien in a category of clinical experience that very few interventional specialists anywhere in Florida can match.
That experience shows in the complexity of cases accepted at South Florida Vascular Associates. In prostate artery embolization, Dr. Julien has treated prostates larger than 600 grams, cases that most practices would refer elsewhere or decline entirely. For uterine fibroid embolization, research suggests the procedure may improve or alleviate fibroid symptoms in approximately 90 percent of patients, and the technique preserves the uterus entirely, which means fertility may remain possible in appropriate candidates. These are not outcomes most surgeons can offer.
Credentials That Go Beyond Board Certification
Dr. Julien is fellowship-trained at the Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute and board-certified in vascular and interventional medicine. He co-founded the Outpatient Endovascular and Interventional Society (OEIS) and has participated in device trials and national physician education. You can learn more about his background through the detailed overview of Dr. Julien’s expertise on the practice website. His involvement at the professional society level means patients at South Florida Vascular Associates benefit from techniques that reflect current best practices, not outdated protocols.
Treating Conditions That Affect Quality of Life
Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects most men over 60. Uterine fibroids affect a significant portion of women during their reproductive years. Hemorrhoids are among the most common anorectal conditions in adults. These are not rare or exotic diagnoses; they are conditions that quietly reduce quality of life for millions of people, often for years before a patient learns that non-surgical options exist. An experienced interventional radiology specialist in Florida can offer those options with confidence rooted in procedural depth. Individual results may vary.
What Patients Researching Interventional Radiology in Florida Should Know Before Consulting
Patients often arrive at South Florida Vascular Associates after years of managing symptoms with medication or after being told that surgery is their only path forward. Understanding a few key facts before your consultation can help you ask better questions and make a more informed decision.
First, embolization procedures are covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare. Many patients assume these treatments are experimental or purely out-of-pocket expenses. They are not. The insurance information page at South Florida Vascular Associates can help clarify your coverage before you schedule.
Second, preserved function matters. For men considering PAE over traditional surgery such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), it is worth knowing that TURP carries documented risks of erectile dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation. PAE does not carry those same risks, and some men report improvement in sexual function following the procedure. For women considering UFE over hysterectomy, the uterus is preserved entirely, and future pregnancy may remain a possibility in some candidates. These are not minor distinctions; they are outcomes that affect how you live after treatment.
Third, geographic distance should not be a barrier. South Florida Vascular Associates has a dedicated program for out-of-town patients, with same-week scheduling available and a track record of patients traveling from across the country and internationally, including from Canada, to access this level of care. If you are not local to South Florida, that program is worth exploring.
Why Choose South Florida Vascular Associates in Florida?
South Florida Vascular Associates serves patients across South Florida, including Coconut Creek, Boynton Beach, Plantation, and the surrounding communities. The practice was built on a single premise: that patients with vascular and embolization needs deserve access to subspecialty expertise in a setting that does not require a hospital stay, surgical recovery, or the functional trade-offs that traditional surgery often demands.
Dr. Julien’s fellowship training at the Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, combined with more than 40,000 procedures and leadership at the national level through the OEIS, positions South Florida Vascular Associates as one of the most credentialed embolization practices available to Florida patients. The patient testimonials consistently reflect not just positive clinical outcomes, but a care experience defined by clear communication, genuine warmth, and respect for each patient’s time and concerns. If you are researching an interventional radiology specialist in Florida and want a consultation grounded in real experience, we invite you to reach out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is interventional radiology the same as vascular surgery?
They are related but distinct specialties. Interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons both treat vascular and structural conditions, but interventional radiology uses image-guided, catheter-based techniques through a tiny needle puncture rather than open surgical approaches. At South Florida Vascular Associates, Dr. Julien’s training and practice focus specifically on minimally invasive embolization and endovascular procedures, which are interventional radiology techniques. Consulting with a specialist who focuses on these methods may help determine whether you are a candidate.
How do I know if I am a candidate for embolization?
Candidacy depends on your specific condition, anatomy, and overall health. For BPH, uterine fibroids, and hemorrhoids, many patients who have not responded well to medication or who want to avoid surgery may be appropriate candidates for embolization. A consultation with Dr. Julien includes a review of your imaging, symptom history, and treatment goals. Individual results may vary. The best way to determine candidacy is to schedule a direct consultation.
Are embolization procedures covered by insurance?
Yes, prostate artery embolization, uterine fibroid embolization, and hemorrhoid embolization are covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare, when medically indicated. South Florida Vascular Associates works with patients to clarify coverage before procedures are scheduled. Many patients are surprised to learn that these minimally invasive options are reimbursable. Reviewing the practice’s insurance information before your consultation can help set accurate expectations.
Contact Us
If you are looking for an experienced interventional radiology specialist in Florida with a verified record of 40,000 procedures, preserved-function outcomes, and a fully outpatient setting, South Florida Vascular Associates is prepared to help. Serving patients throughout South Florida and beyond, our team is ready to answer your questions and schedule your consultation. Complete the online form to take the next step.
Dr. Julien has performed more than 40,000 vascular procedures across a 30-year career. Double board-certified in Interventional Radiology and Diagnostic Radiology by the American Board of Radiology, he is the co-founder and past president of the Outpatient Endovascular & Interventional Society, a national faculty speaker at SIR, TCT, VIVA, and the Southeastern Angiographic Society, and a published author. Named a Boca Magazine Top Doctor 2025.
