PAE Prostate Artery Embolization in Queens, NY

Prostate Artery Embolization at Medex Diagnostic & Treatment Center in Queens provides men with enlarged prostates a fast, same-day solution: our board-certified interventional radiologists guide a micro-catheter through the wrist or groin to block the prostate’s overactive blood supply, shrinking the gland, easing weak flow and nighttime urgency, and preserving sexual function—no hospital stay, no general anesthesia, and all imaging, labs, and insurance paperwork handled under one Forest Hills roof. Same-day Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) for BPH at Medex Diagnostic & Treatment Center in Forest Hills, Queens, NY—quick recovery, insurance accepted.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia – BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects more than 137 million men worldwide and well over 14 million in the United States alone. The 2021 Global Burden of Disease update shows a 115 % rise in new BPH cases since 1990, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 326 per 100,000 men. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov In the U.S., prevalence doubles between ages 50 and 80, mirroring the demographic wave of aging Baby Boomers. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov The swelling clinical load translates into billions of dollars in direct care and productivity losses every year.

What Is Prostate Artery Embolization?

Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) is an image-guided procedure in which an interventional radiologist (IR) threads a micro-catheter from the radial or femoral artery into the prostatic vessels and injects microscopic embolic beads. These particles selectively block arterial inflow, starving hyperplastic tissue of oxygen so that the prostate shrinks and lower-urinary-tract symptoms (LUTS) improve—without any incision, stent, or general anesthesia.

How does PAE Work?

1. Mapping angiography: Cone-beam CT and real-time fluoroscopy identify both prostatic arteries and potential collateral branches.
2. Selective catheterization: A 2-3 Fr micro-catheter is guided into each side’s arterial pedicle.
3. Particle delivery: 100–300 µm embolic spheres are injected until near stasis is seen; bilateral embolization is achieved in > 90 % of modern series.
4. Hemostasis & discharge: A closure plug or radial wristband seals the puncture; most patients leave the recovery unit within three hours.

Why PAE Was Developed—Filling the “Treatment Gap”

Medication failure rates reach 30 % within five years, and up to 20 % of men discontinue alpha-blockers because of dizziness or sexual side-effects. Meanwhile classic surgery (TURP, HoLEP) still comes with operating-room time, anesthesia, and weeks of catheterization. PAE offers a middle path: durable relief that is outpatient, catheter-free in 24 h, and preserves ejaculation in 80 % of cases. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is PAE for me?

• Men with moderate-to-severe LUTS (IPSS > 18) unresponsive to or intolerant of drugs.
• Prostate volume ≥ 40 cc (no true upper limit; glands > 100 cc respond especially well).
• Catheter-dependent men who cannot undergo anesthesia or who failed TURP. Ninety-four percent regain spontaneous voiding by three months.
• Contra-indications: untreated prostate cancer, severe atherosclerotic iliac disease preventing catheterization, uncorrected coagulopathy, or contrast allergy.

The Multidisciplinary Team Behind PAE

Clinical Outcomes

• Meta-analysis 2025 (n = 1,539): 90 % clinical success at one year (≥ 50 % IPSS drop); mean prostate volume shrank from 66 cc to 49 cc. researchgate.net
• Prospective cohort 2024 (n = 1,075): Symptom relief and quality-of-life gains persisted to five years; re-intervention 13 %. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Single-center study 2025: 93 % success at three months; 85 % at twelve. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Average IPSS improvement in modern series: 14–17 points, double that of pharmacotherapy alone.

Safety Profile & Side-Effects

Major complications run < 1 % and include transient ischemic bladder injury or non-target embolization. Post-embolization pelvic cramps (40 %) and mild hematuria (25 %) resolve within one week with NSAIDs. Erectile function is generally preserved; recent 1,075-patient data recorded no cases of de novo impotence. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What Happens After PAE?

• 0–24 h: Foley catheter (if placed) usually removed; most patients void independently before discharge.
• Week 1: Burning micturition and frequency peak, then subside; light duty ok.
• Month 1: IPSS drops by 8–10 points; nocturia halves in frequency.
• Year 1: Mean prostate volume reduced by ~30 %, with peak urinary-flow (Qmax) improvement of 6–8 mL/s. sciencedirect.com

PAE vs. Other BPH Therapies

*Data synthesized from 2023-2025 comparative trials and guideline reviews.

PAE Cost & Insurance Coverage in 2025

Typical commercial charges range $9,000–$16,000 – similar to office-based laser therapies and below inpatient TURP. Multiple Medicare Administrative Contractors now reimburse PAE under local-coverage determinations, and large private payers list CPT 37243 as covered for drug-refractory BPH. cms.gov Always verify pre-authorization; Medex DTC’s billing team does this on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the procedure take? 60–90 minutes skin-to-skin.
Will my prostate keep growing? Embolized tissue infarcts and shrinks; new hyperplasia is possible but uncommon before five years.
Do I have to stop anticoagulants? Many centers perform radial-access PAE safely on low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel—ask your IR.
Can I still have TURP later? Yes. Prior PAE does not hinder future surgical options.
What gland size is “too big”? None; glands > 200 cc have been embolized with excellent flow improvement.

Emerging Research & Next Frontiers

• Drug-eluting microspheres loaded with alpha-blockers for dual action.
• Robotic catheter navigation to cut radiation by 40 % and speed bilateral access.
• Combination PAE + Rezūm trials for ultra-large prostates are enrolling in 2025.
• Long-term registries now track > 5,000 men to ten-year endpoints under SIR sponsorship.

Takeaways

1. BPH prevalence is skyrocketing with population aging, driving demand for minimally invasive relief.
2. PAE offers outpatient, uterus-sparing-equivalent relief—IPSS drops ~15 points, prostate volume ↓ 30 %, and sexual function is largely preserved.
3. Complication rates stay below 1 % in high-volume centers, and 80–90 % of patients avoid surgery for at least five years.
4. Collaboration between urologists and interventional radiologists ensures optimal patient selection and durable outcomes.