Prostate Artery Embolization

What is Prostate Artery Embolization?

Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a safe, minimally invasive procedure performed by Interventional Radiologists to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). 

Who should consider PAE?

  • Men with BPH who have tried medical treatment, but continue to have urinary symptoms such as weak stream, stopping and starting, straining, incomplete emptying, increased frequency, and frequent overnight urination.
  • Men who want to treat BPH without risking sexual side effects that can be caused by other medications and surgical procedures.
  • Men who want an alternative to invasive surgical procedures for treatment of BPH.
  • Men with very large prostate glands, who would not be ideal candidates for other procedures.
  • Men who may have other medical conditions limiting their ability to undergo more invasive surgical procedures requiring anesthesia.

How does PAE work?

  • The Interventional Radiologist accesses the arteries in the leg or wrist, and identifies the vessels leading to the prostate gland. Tiny beads are delivered through a microcatheter in the artery, which cut off blood flow to the prostate gland, causing it to shrink. Over time, this relieves the urinary obstruction caused by BPH.
  • PAE is nearly as effective as other surgical treatments such as prostatectomy and TURP, overall with shorter hospitalization, and fewer serious complications.
  • PAE has been shown to preserve sexual function while treating BPH.

What can I expect?

  • PAE is a same-day outpatient procedure performed with moderate conscious sedation in the Interventional Radiology lab.
  • Symptom relief should be noticeable by 1 month follow up and continue to improve for up to 12 months after the procedure. Durable results have demonstrated to 6.5 years after the procedure.
  • Success rate for PAE is 80-95%, depending on technique, experience, and individual factors like atherosclerosis of the arteries.  

 

Patient Testimonials on Prostate Artery Embolization:

 

I couldn't believe it!  I had immediate, positive results from my PAE.   My urine flow and total volume increased immediately!  Dr. Laughlin is amazing!

I don't have to get up to urinate anymore in the middle of the night!  I used to have to ration how much I drank in the evening, but now I can drink as much as I want.”

This procedure is a no brainer.  I have had zero problems.  After about a month, my urgency and frequency has decreased, and my volume has really increased!

Please contact the Summit Radiology Interventional Clinic today if you are interested in learning more about prostate artery embolization.

Phone: (260) 702-8229

Email: IR_Clinic@summitrad.com

 

Supporting literature:

  1. Carnevale, Francisco C., et al. “Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) versus original and PErFecTED prostate artery embolization (PAE) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): preliminary results of a single center, prospective, urodynamic-controlled analysis.” Cardiovascular and interventional radiology 39 (2016): 44-52.

  2. Gao, Yuan-an, et al. “Benign prostatic hyperplasia: prostatic arterial embolization versus transurethral resection of the prostate—a prospective, randomized, and controlled clinical trial.” Radiology 270.3 (2014): 920-928.

  3. Pisco, João M., et al. “Medium-and long-term outcome of prostate artery embolization for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: results in 630 patients.” Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology 27.8 (2016): 1115-1122.

  4. Ray, Alistair F., et al. “Efficacy and safety of prostate artery embolization for benign prostatic hyperplasia: an observational study and propensity‐matched comparison with transurethral resection of the prostate (the UK‐ROPE study).” BJU international 122.2 (2018): 270-282.

  5. Russo, Giorgio Ivan, et al. “Prostatic arterial embolization vs open prostatectomy: a 1-year matched-pair analysis of functional outcomes and morbidities.” Urology 86.2 (2015): 343-348.