The role of prostatic arterial embolization in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review

This study was designed to summarize the evidence on clinical outcomes and complications of prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

We searched Medline and Embase for PAE trials of patients with BPH upto November 2013. Two reviewers independently checked the inclusion and exclusion criteria and performed data extraction of study characteristics, quantitative and qualitative outcomes, and complications.

The search yielded 562 studies, of which 9 articles with 706 patients were included. In these 9 articles, there was a possible overlap of data and the quality of 8 studies was assessed as poor. All patients had moderate-to-severe, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The mean age ranged from 63.4-74.1 years. After embolization, a decrease of the prostate volume (PV) and post void residual (PVR) was seen mainly in the first month with a further decrease up to 12 months, increasing afterwards. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) decreased up to 3 months after PAE, increasing afterwards. The peak urinary flow (Qmax) increased mainly the first month and decreased after 30 months. The international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and quality of life-related symptoms (QOL) improved mainly during the first month, with a further improvement up to 30 months. No deterioration of the international index of erectile function (IIEF) was seen after PAE. The PAE procedure seems safe.

Although the number of studies was small, qualitatively poor, and with overlap of patients, the initial clinical outcomes as reported up to 12 months seem positive and the procedure seems safe.