Efficacy of Prostatic Artery Embolization for Catheter-Dependent Patients with Large Prostate Sizes and High...

To evaluate efficacy and safety of prostate artery embolization (PAE) in urinary catheter-dependent patients with large prostate volumes and high comorbidity scores.

A retrospective single-center review was conducted of 30 patients with urinary retention at time of PAE from November 2014 through February 2017. Mean (range) age was 73.1 years (48-94 y), age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index was 4.5 (0-10), duration of urinary retention was 63.4 days (2-224 d), International Prostate Symptom Score quality-of-life (IPSS-QOL) was 5.3 (3-6), and prostate volume was 167.3 cm³ (55-557 cm³). These parameters were collected at 3, 6, and 12 months after PAE. Trials of voiding were performed approximately 2 weeks after PAE and, if failed, every 2 weeks thereafter. Adverse events were graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification.

At a mean (range) of 18.2 days (1-72 d), 26 (86.7%) patients were no longer reliant on catheters. Follow-up was obtained in all patients eligible at 3 and 6 months and 17 of 20 (85.0%) patients eligible at 1 year. Mean (range) IPSS-QOL improved significantly to 1.2 (0-5), 0.7 (0-4), and 0.6 (0-4) at 3, 6, and 12 months (all P < .001). Mean (range) prostate volume decreased significantly to 115.9 cm³ (27-248 cm³) at 3 months (P < .001). Two patients experienced grade II urosepsis complications, which were successfully treated with intravenous antibiotics. All other complications were self-limited grade I complications.

PAE represents a safe and effective option for management of patients with urinary retention, especially patients with large prostates who are not ideal surgical candidates.