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Carolina Endovascular Center | Expert Vascular Care

Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)

A breakthrough treatment for enlarged prostate in Greensboro and Charlotte

Overview | PAE Preparation Instructions | FAQs

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Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is an excellent alternative treatment for men with BPH. It is minimally invasive, there is no hospital stay, no need for general anesthesia, and no uncomfortable recovery.

Unlike TURP, PAE is safer and without the risk of sexual side effects. Unlike water vapor therapy, there is no requirement to wear a catheter or experience a worsening of symptoms. And unlike UroLift®, PAE addresses the underlying problem of the growing prostate.

Enlarged Prostate
interventional radiology

Why consider prostate artery embolization?

  • High success rate (75-95%) – PAE is effective for 75-95% of men undergoing the procedure
  • No hospitalization – PAE is performed in our convenient outpatient center
  • No general anesthesia – PAE only requires “twilight” sedation during the procedure
  • Not performed through the urethra– PAE requires a tiny needle puncture in the wrist or thigh to access the bloodstream, which means less patient discomfort
  • Shorter recovery – You can return home the same day as the procedure and resume most normal activities in about a week
  • Less risk – Surgical procedures like TURP have higher intraoperative and post-operative risks
  • Less expensive than surgery – This can make a real difference when it comes to insurance deductibles and co-pays

What happens during the PAE procedure?

PAE is performed by a specially trained doctor called an interventional radiologist. Using imaging guidance, the doctor inserts a tiny catheter into an artery in the patient’s upper thigh or wrist and then guides it through the body’s blood vessels to the arteries supplying blood to the prostate. Tiny beads called ‘microspheres’ are then released through the catheter and into these arteries. This has the effect of partially blocking blood flow to the prostate gland. The reduced blood flow results in the prostate gland shrinking, which in turn relieves symptoms.

Why visit Carolina Endovascular for your PAE procedure?

Prostate artery embolization is a highly specialized procedure that requires advanced imaging expertise and technical precision. At Carolina Endovascular, PAE is performed by board-certified interventional radiologists with extensive experience in complex endovascular therapies.

Our center was designed specifically for minimally invasive procedures. Unlike a busy hospital setting, our environment is purpose-built for clinical excellence, safety, and comfort. Patients are cared for in a private, thoughtfully designed space where the focus remains entirely on their procedure and recovery.

Because we operate as an outpatient specialty center, we are able to deliver hospital-level care in a more streamlined and patient-centered setting. The experience is quieter, more personal, and often more cost-efficient—without compromising safety or outcomes.

Our goal is simple: deliver advanced, image-guided therapy with clinical excellence, technical precision, and an exceptional patient experience.

PAE Preparation Instructions

  • Please inform us about any medications that you are taking, including herbal supplements. Also, please inform us if you have any allergies, or have had allergic reactions to local anesthetic agents, any medications or contrast (also known as “X-ray dye”).
  • Our staff may advise you to stop taking aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Tylenol, Advil) or a blood thinning medication for a period of time before your procedure.
  • Please inform us if you have other medical conditions or have recently experienced an illness.
  • You may take your usual medications, including blood pressure medications, unless otherwise instructed.
  • You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours before your procedure.
  • Expect to remain for 1-2 hours after your procedure for a period of observation.

PAE Questions & Answers

Prostate artery embolization takes a few hours on average, including a short recovery time under medical supervision.

PAE has been shown to greatly reduce urinary tract symptoms by shrinking enlarged prostate tissue. It also has fewer sexual and urinary complications than surgery and ablation treatments.

PAE procedures are often covered by insurance plans for qualified patients. The team at Carolina Endovascular can help you navigate insurance questions before your procedure.

PAE has a short recovery period. Most men are back to their normal activities in 5-7 days, compared to several weeks for surgery patients.

Interventional radiologists are specially trained to perform endovascular procedures. They know how to use catheters and image guidance to address problems like BPH safely and effectively, and have helped many patients experience symptom relief without the need for surgery.

We have two centers conveniently located in Charlotte, NC and Greensboro, NC.

Take our quiz below to see if you qualify for PAE.

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