Prostate Artery Embolization: Indication, Technique and Clinical Results

Background Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a new embolization therapy to treat benign prostate syndrome (BPS). Materials and Methods This review article presents the rationale and impact mechanism of PAE, criteria for patient selection, and discusses the anatomy of prostate arteries. The study results are seen in the context of complications and clinical partners. Results Important preconditions for successful prostate artery embolization are a strict indication, precise knowledge of the anatomy of the pelvic arteries and advanced interventional-radiological skills. Several studies showed that urological parameters after prostate artery embolization improve at a similar level as for established post-surgical treatments. At the same time, it could be proven that prostate artery embolization has no impact on erectile function and is associated with a relatively low complication rate. Conclusion PAE is increasingly developing to an alternative for the established surgical treatments in BPS patients.