Prostatic artery embolization for benign prostatic hyperplasia: State of the art

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Interventional Radiology

Background:

• Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) has evolved from experimental to an endorsed therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
• It offers a minimally invasive, organ-sparing alternative to traditional treatments.
• PAE demonstrates durable efficacy in improving lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize current evidence on PAE for BPH management.
• To highlight recent advancements in patient selection, imaging, and embolic materials.
• To discuss emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and ongoing controversies.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature on prostatic artery embolization.
• Synthesis of clinical evidence regarding efficacy and safety.
• Analysis of technological advancements and future research directions.

Main Results:

• PAE provides durable improvement in BPH symptoms and quality of life.
• Innovations in embolic materials (e.g., liquid agents) show promise but need more data.
• Artificial intelligence is emerging as a tool for procedural support.

Conclusions:

• PAE is a validated therapeutic option for select BPH patients.
• Ongoing research is needed to address controversies and optimize the use of new technologies.
• Further investigation into long-term outcomes and AI integration is crucial for clinical practice.