Prostate Artery Embolization for BPH. Anyone have it done?

Posted by dmp08 @dmp08, Apr 16, 2023

PAE can be done through wrist or femoral artiry. Usually catheter is not needed. Catheter is for as a marker by some radialogists. I am wondering if it can be done without any sedation? Thanks.

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Profile picture for riccja @riccja

@leaddogy2k
First you want to have blood work to determine your EGFR. But be careful, as EGFR is completely dependent on age and Creatinine levels. I was taking a pre workout supplement and it lowered my EGFR 20 pts! The test Cystatin C measure kidney function with out the rather simple calculation of EGFR. I feel its more reliable as Creatinine can be affected by many different things.

As far as the dye. I took NAC 600 mg twice a day , 2 days before and 2 days after. This is not a method that is accepted everywhere and the studies are mixed. But since it has no downside, I did it. Also after the PAE in recovery you want to have a Saline drip for hydration. That is what most interventional radiologists suggest.

Then make sure you are very well hydrated before and after the procedure. I forget the water intake, but it is readily available.

As far as an interventional radiologist, my urologist gave me very sound advice, He said that he is a big fan of PAE , but most IR only do one or two a year where I live. So he uses a company that specializes in PAE that does 1000s a year. Or have it done at a major medical facility like UCLA.

Let me close this that until you have an MRI, you will be completely in the dark as to the cause of your retention. That should give you some clues as to why, and then you can make an intelligent decision as to what your options are.

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@riccja where did you receive your PAE care? I am in Florida…..it is good to shop around!

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5 Months for me, been off the meds for 4.5 months. I flew to Raleigh for my PAE. Dr. Ari Isaacson, check out his YouTube videos. https://www.ircenters.com/isaacson

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Yes, it sounds like your prostate is enlarged. Have you been seen by a Urologist? To start there are medications you can take to ease your straining. Talk to your doctor about PAE. It could work for you as well.

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Profile picture for riccja @riccja

@leaddogy2k
First you want to have blood work to determine your EGFR. But be careful, as EGFR is completely dependent on age and Creatinine levels. I was taking a pre workout supplement and it lowered my EGFR 20 pts! The test Cystatin C measure kidney function with out the rather simple calculation of EGFR. I feel its more reliable as Creatinine can be affected by many different things.

As far as the dye. I took NAC 600 mg twice a day , 2 days before and 2 days after. This is not a method that is accepted everywhere and the studies are mixed. But since it has no downside, I did it. Also after the PAE in recovery you want to have a Saline drip for hydration. That is what most interventional radiologists suggest.

Then make sure you are very well hydrated before and after the procedure. I forget the water intake, but it is readily available.

As far as an interventional radiologist, my urologist gave me very sound advice, He said that he is a big fan of PAE , but most IR only do one or two a year where I live. So he uses a company that specializes in PAE that does 1000s a year. Or have it done at a major medical facility like UCLA.

Let me close this that until you have an MRI, you will be completely in the dark as to the cause of your retention. That should give you some clues as to why, and then you can make an intelligent decision as to what your options are.

Jump to this post

@riccja I have had the Rezum treatment which did not relieve me of my BPH symptoms. I am now considering the HOLEP. I have thought about the PAE but the thought of putting something in my blood vessel in an attempt to intentionally starve an area of my body still has me apprehensive. I worry about ischemia or necrosis to an unintended area of my anatomy as a result of the introduced embolus.

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