Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) is a treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) from symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which alleviates symptoms by reducing blood flow to the enlarged prostate, causing the prostate to be reduced.
Memphis Vascular Center’s doctors performed the first Prostate Artery Embolization in Memphis! This procedure is a non-invasive option rather than surgery for specific patients with Prostate cancer or enlarged prostates. Are you interested in a consultation for PAE? Memphis Vascular specializes in PAE. Contact us at 901-683-1890 for more information or schedule an appointment online HERE.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlargement of the prostate gland which can lead to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which include urinary frequency, inability to urinate, incomplete emptying of the bladder, difficulty starting urination, and straining to urinate or weak urine stream.
More than 50% of all men in their 60s and as many as 90% aged 70-89 years old have some symptoms of BPH. Black and Hispanic men are at a higher risk.
PAE is performed by a board certified interventional radiologist (IR) at Memphis Vascular Center. Our doctor uses X-rays and other imaging techniques to see inside the body and treat conditions without surgery.
During the PAE procedure, the patient receives a local anesthetic and may remain awake or receive sedation. Our IR inserts a catheter (a thin, hollow tube) into the patient’s upper thigh or wrist to access his arteries and uses X-ray imaging to guide the catheter to the blood vessels that feed the patient’s prostate. Embosphere® Microspheres, the most clinically proven and clinically studied microspheres, are injected through the catheter into the prostate-feeding blood vessels. With its blood supply reduced, the prostate shrinks, alleviating symptoms.
Or schedule an appointment online HERE.
Clinically shown to reduce the major lower urinary tract symptoms of BPH, Prostate Artery Embolization has become a viable alternative to surgical procedures. PAE has a very low rate of urinary incontinence or sexual dysfunction like impotence and retrograde ejaculation, complications sometimes occurring after traditional prostate surgery. PAE has a high success rate.
• Minimally invasive, performed through tiny incision
• Can be performed as an outpatient procedure for some patients
• Much shorter recovery time compared to surgery
• Low risk of sexual side effects such as retrograde ejaculation or impotence
• Overall improvement in quality of life
One year after PAE, average prostate size is seen to be reduced by approximately 30%.
PAE is a procedure for treating symptomatic BPH with minimal risk. Most patients experience minor to moderate post-procedure symptoms for 1-3 days. This is known as ‘post embolic syndrome’ and may include a low-grade fever, burning during urination or frequent urination, and/or discomfort in the prostate or rectal area. Non-targeted embolization and potential skin burns from prolonged fluoroscopy are also possible.
This patient had a prostate so large it created a blockage preventing him from urinating on his own. He had to have a catheter for months in order to drain his bladder. A short time after the procedure, the prostate has shrunk enough to allow him to have the catheter removed and he can urinate on his own now.
Memphis Vascular Center is located in Germantown, TN and treats patients throughout the greater Memphis, TN area for Prostate Artery Embolization. For more information on PAE or to schedule an appointment, please call 901-683-1890 or schedule an appointment online HERE.