Prostatic Artery Embolization
Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive treatment used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH, or enlarged prostate, can cause unwanted urinary symptoms and can significantly impact quality of life.
PAE is an alternative to traditional surgery, medications, or other minimally invasive treatments.
What is Prostatic Artery Embolization?
Prostatic artery embolization is a nonsurgical treatment performed by an interventional radiologist. Advanced imaging techniques enable the physician to see the tiny prostate arteries. Specific arteries are then blocked, causing the prostate to shrink due to a lack of blood flow to those areas.
The Process
The PAE process is straightforward for the patient—you mostly have to lay back and relax. Light sedation will be given to alleviate any discomfort or anxiety. A urinary catheter may be inserted to help keep the prostate and bladder in the correct position.
The interventional radiologist will numb your wrist or groin and then make a tiny incision. Using live imaging, the doctor will insert a catheter into the artery and guide it all the way to the prostatic arteries. Once the catheter has reached the prostate, the physician will inject a dye to illuminate the arteries.
Microscopic beads are carefully injected into the prostatic arteries, blocking the blood flow, called embolization. The enlarged areas will shrink because of the arteries and specifically selected, but the entire prostate will be undamaged.
Benefits of Prostatic Artery Embolization
There are several benefits of PAE, including:
- Minimally Invasive: As a non-surgical procedure, PAE involves less risk, minimal scarring, and a shorter recovery time than other procedures, especially surgeries.
- High Success Rate: Around 80-90% of men report significantly improving their symptoms.
- Preservation of Sexual Function: Unlike some surgical options, PAE has a lower risk of causing sexual dysfunction.
Potential Risks and Considerations
While PAE is generally safe, like all medical procedures, it carries some risks. These may include minor bruising at the catheter insertion site, infection, and pain or discomfort. Non-target embolization, where particles block off blood flow to areas outside the prostate, is possible, though quite rare. Selecting a skilled interventional radiologist using advanced imaging techniques further reduces this risk.
What to Expect
During the Procedure
PAE is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day. The entire process typically takes about 90 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the size and complexity of the prostate.
Recovery and Results
After PAE, you might experience some discomfort as the prostate begins to shrink. These symptoms usually improve within a few days. Most men start to see improvement in their urinary symptoms within a few days and continue to improve over the following weeks and months.
Talk To A Urologist About Prostate Artery Embolization
If you’ve been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate and are suffering from unwanted urinary symptoms, it’s time to talk to a doctor about your options. PAE may be a good choice for men who don’t see improvement with medications or who can’t take medications. It may be an option for men who can’t have or choose not to have the general anesthesia necessary for some other procedures.
Because all minimally invasive treatments for BPH have unique considerations, it’s essential to partner with your urologist to determine the best course.
Schedule an appointment today to discuss the best BPH treatment for you.
Urology Center Of Iowa
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