How Arterial Embolization Treats BPH

Here at the Texas Prostate Institute, our interventional radiologists use arterial embolization to treat prostate enlargement. But what's involved in this procedure? Well, we use embolization to block the flow of blood to targeted body parts in order to deliver therapeutic benefits. And we accomplish that goal by injecting embolic material through a catheter to your arteries or veins. In turn, we're able to cut off the movement of blood movement without impacting your overall health.

Embolization has been used since the 1970s, treating everything from varicose veins to fibroids. Recently, however, advancements in technique allowed the FDA to approve this treatment for reducing the side effects of prostate enlargement.  Here's how that works!

Understanding Arterial Embolization

AE is a minimally invasive procedure that allows you to avoid general anesthesia. Plus, most patients won't need to stay overnight in the hospital, and their post-procedure recovery period is easier than a post-surgical recovery.

As we reviewed earlier, interventional radiologists have spent years fine-tuning the way we perform this procedure. In the process, we've discovered many new therapeutic targets, including relief for varicocele (varicose veins in the scrotum) and for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or an enlarged prostate.) And, when we treat an enlarged prostate using AE, it's referred to as Prostate Arterial Embolization (PAE).

Choosing PAE Treatment in Texas

Now that the FDA has approved AE for BPH, it's a welcome treatment option since it offers a less invasive way to relieve LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms). As a result, we're now able to help many more patients avoid surgery or medications. For that reason, we invite you to click here to request an appointment with our interventional radiologists in Texas. Together, we can determine if you are a candidate for this less invasive BPH treatment option.