Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is an effective, minimally invasive treatment option for men with enlarged prostates, according to a new position statement from four interventional radiology societies.
The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, Société Française de Radiologie and British Society of Interventional Radiology all collaborated on the statement, published online in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. This comes five years after the SIR’s initial position statement on PAE, which pointed to its ability to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) while calling for additional research.
“Since that time, substantial research has accumulated, and clinical practice patterns are evolving,” wrote author Justin P. McWilliams, MD, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles, and colleagues. “Under the direction of the SIR Standards Division, a multidisciplinary group was convened, including leading clinical and research experts on PAE from North America, South America, and Europe.”
PAE is a procedure performed by interventional radiologists. It requires no anesthesia or hospitalization. In the position statement, the four societies describe PAE as “a definitive treatment option for multiple underserved patient groups, who may not have satisfactory urologic treatment options.” Patient groups who could benefit from this treatment include individuals with multiple medical conditions, those who have “very large prostates” and those suffering from bleeding from the prostate, among others.
The Asia Pacific Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Canadian Association for Interventional Radiology, Chinese College of Interventionalists, Interventional Radiology Society of Australia, Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology and Korean Society of Interventional Radiology have all endorsed the position statement.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.