Prostate Artery Embolization for Enlarged Prostate
Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a safe, minimally invasive procedure that helps men with urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate. This condition is also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PAE helps men regain control and restore quality of life. At 黑料福利社 Langone, our interventional radiologists are leaders in offering this advanced treatment for BPH.
What Is Prostate Artery Embolization?
PAE is a treatment that shrinks the prostate by reducing its blood supply. Using advanced imaging technology, specialists guide a small catheter through an artery in the wrist or groin and inject tiny particles that block blood flow to targeted areas of the prostate. As the prostate shrinks, urinary symptoms improve鈥攐ften within days to weeks.
Because PAE is minimally invasive, there are no incisions and no general anesthesia, and you can almost always go home the same day.
Who Qualifies for the Procedure?
PAE may be an option if you have any of the following:聽
- symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia
- urinary dysfunction such as frequent or urgent urination, a weak stream, or difficulty fully emptying the bladder
- concerns about sexual dysfunction and a desire to preserve erectile and ejaculatory function
- hematuria (blood in the urine) due to an enlarged prostate
At 黑料福利社 Langone, we evaluate each patient individually, considering factors such as prostate size, symptom severity, and overall health to determine the most effective treatment plan.聽 This is done during in-depth consultations, with a deep commitment to shared decision-making with each patient.
What Are the Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
BPH affects more than half of men over age 50 and becomes increasingly common with age. You may experience one or more of these symptoms:
- frequent urination (daytime or nighttime)
- an urgent need to urinate
- a weak or interrupted urine stream
- difficulty starting or stopping urination
- the feeling as if your bladder does not fully empty
- hematuria (blood in the urine)
If left untreated, BPH can significantly interfere with sleep, work, travel, and overall quality of life.
The Benefits of PAE
PAE at 黑料福利社 Langone is performed by expert interventional radiologists. Using advanced imaging, we precisely target the prostate without incisions or general anesthesia, reducing risk and recovery time.
Because PAE is almost always a same-day procedure, men typically return home within hours and can resume light activities the following day. This makes it a convenient alternative to surgery, which often requires hospitalization and a longer recovery period. Conventional surgical interventions also require leaving a urinary catheter, or Foley catheter, in place for up to one week after the procedure. In contrast, PAE rarely requires these devices during or after the procedure.
For most men treated with PAE, meaningful improvements in quality of life occur within weeks of the procedure. Marked improvement in urinary symptoms can restore uninterrupted sleep, reduce daily disruptions, and bring greater confidence in personal and professional settings.
PAE also helps maintain sexual function. Unlike many surgical treatments for BPH, which carry higher risks of erectile or ejaculatory problems, PAE has been shown to protect sexual health and erectile function while effectively treating urinary symptoms. This makes it especially well suited for men with larger symptomatic prostates who want relief of urinary symptoms without compromising erectile function.
The Potential Risks of PAE
As with any procedure, there are risks to PAE, though they are rare. These can include infection, bleeding, and non-target embolization. However, the risk of major complications is less for PAE than with most other BPH procedures.
What to Expect from the Procedure
Knowing what will happen before, during, and after PAE can help you feel confident and prepared as you plan your treatment.
Preparation
Before your procedure, your care team will provide clear instructions to help you prepare. This will include fasting for a short period beforehand.
During the Procedure
PAE is most often performed with intravenous sedation and a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. Through a small puncture in the wrist or groin, your interventional radiologist inserts a thin catheter and guides it, using advanced imaging, to the arteries that supply blood to the prostate. Tiny particles are then released to reduce blood flow, allowing the prostate to gradually shrink. Depending on your specific arterial anatomy, your interventional radiologist may also use other types of materials to block the blood supply to the prostate.聽 The procedure typically takes one to two hours and does not require an overnight hospital stay.
Recovery and Follow-Up Care
Most patients return home the same day and are able to resume light activities within 24 hours. Many patients also report experiencing worsening urinary symptoms for approximately five days post-procedure due to inflammation that occurs as a normal part of the healing process. This may include temporary urinary discomfort, increased urinary frequency, mild pelvic pain, or, in a small percentage of patients (3 to 5 percent), the need for a temporary Foley catheter. Your care team will prescribe medications to help treat these inflammatory symptoms for five to seven days after the procedure.
Patients often notice an improvement in urinary symptoms within weeks, with results continuing to build over time.
How to Determine Whether You Are a Candidate
Not every man with urinary symptoms is the right fit for PAE, and our specialists carefully evaluate each patient to ensure the procedure is safe and effective for their needs. You may be a good candidate for PAE under these circumstances:
- have moderate to severe urinary symptoms caused by BPH
- prefer a minimally invasive option over traditional surgical procedures
- have a prostate that is larger than average
- want to avoid risks of sexual side effects more commonly seen with many other BPH procedures
- have abnormal, incomplete bladder emptying due to BPH
- have hematuria due to BPH
At your consultation, your provider will discuss your symptoms, review imaging and test results, and help determine whether PAE is right for you.
Preparing for Your Consultation
Here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Am I a good candidate for PAE?
- How does PAE compare with other BPH treatments?
- What results can I expect, and how quickly?
- What should I do to prepare for the procedure?
- How will this treatment affect my daily life and long-term health?