Who is a Good Candidate for Prostatic Artery Embolization?

Repeatedly waking up to use the bathroom, a weak stream, sudden urgency, or feeling like your bladder won't empty. Enlarged prostate symptoms can quickly dictate your daily schedule. 

As men age, their prostate naturally enlarges. Known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), this condition isn't cancerous, but it can block urine flow. If daily BPH medication is ineffective or causes unpleasant side effects, you don't have to resort to invasive surgery.

Prostatic artery embolization (PAE), a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, may be the solution. Our board-certified interventional radiologists at ForeFront Radiology in Fresno, CA, are highly experienced in performing PAE, a treatment that treats BPH at the source. 

Here’s what they want you to know about this minimally invasive alternative to surgical treatment.

How prostatic artery embolization works

Instead of removing prostate tissue through surgery, our interventional radiologists insert a tiny catheter into a blood vessel in your wrist or groin. Using detailed imaging guidance, we guide the catheter to the small arteries that send blood to the prostate. We then release microscopic beads into these vessels to block blood flow. Without a full blood supply, the enlarged prostate tissue shrinks over time, relieving pressure on your urethra and restoring normal urination.

PAE provides significant long-term relief from urinary symptoms while maintaining a very low risk of complications. 

Am I a candidate for PAE?

BPH affects nearly 50% of men aged 50 to 60 and up to 90% of men over 80.

You're likely a good candidate for PAE if you:

• Have moderate to severe urinary symptoms that interfere with work, travel, or sleep
• Haven't found enough relief from prescription medications or dislike their side effects
• Have a significantly enlarged prostate, especially prostates larger than 80 grams
• Can't undergo traditional surgery due to other medical conditions or blood thinner use

Our medical team conducts a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether PAE aligns with your specific health goals and anatomy.

Benefits of PAE vs. traditional surgery

The benefits of PAE vs. traditional surgery are significant. They include:

• A lower risk of side effects such as erectile dysfunction or retrograde ejaculation 
• Minimal to no blood loss
• A lower likelihood of needing a post-procedure urinary catheter
• No hospital stay
• Less pain and recovery time

The PAE procedure itself usually takes about one to two hours. Because it's an outpatient treatment, you go home the same day with just a small bandage over the entry point.

What to expect during your evaluation and recovery

Most men return to their normal daily activities within a few days. As the prostate shrinks over the following weeks and months, your urinary flow steadily improves, and nighttime bathroom trips decrease.

If you are struggling with symptoms of BPH or have had little to no success with other treatments like medication or surgery, contact our office to book your consultation today.