PAE: Our Evidence and Preliminary Experience with Antireflux Microcatheter

Introduction: Demonstrate the efficacy of prostatic artery embolization (PAE) as a treatment for urinary symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and how this affects the QoL of patients.

Method(s): A total of 30 patients who underwent PAE at our center in the period 2018 to 2021 were evaluated using MRI before treatment and a modified International IPSS questionnaire for QoL estimation. Periodic re-evaluation at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months were done. Clinical and anamnestic data, glandular volume, and procedure details (prostatic arterial anatomy, embolizing agent, materials, technical success, complications) were collected. The variation in IPSS score and QoL were investigated.

Result(s): The decrease in the IPSS averaged 11 ± 8 points at 1 year (pre: 22 ± 7, post: 11 ± 9; p < 0.05); 50 ± 30% compared with initial symptoms; the impact on QoL decreased on average by 3 ± 1.8 points (pre: 4 ± 1, post: 1 ± 2; p < 0.05). Only high pre-IPSS was significantly associated with clinical success, p = 0.008.

Conclusion(s): Embolization of the prostatic arteries is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of BPH LUTS. Cases performed with antireflux microcatheter were characterized by smooth embolization.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
09 February 2023