Prostate artery embolization has long term efficacy for treatment of severe lower urinary tract symptoms from giant prostatic hyperplasia

• Published in: BMC urology 2020-10, Vol.20 (1), p.1-153, Article 153
• Main Authors: Somwaru, Alexander S, Metting, Stephen, Flisnik, Laura M, Nellamattathil, Michael G, Sharma, Arjun, Katabathina, Venkat S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adrenergic receptors; Bladder; Care and treatment; Edema; Embolization; Giant prostatic hyperplasia (GPH); Health aspects; Hyperplasia; Ischemia; Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS); Magnetic resonance imaging; Medical research; Patients; Prostate; Prostate cancer; Prostate specific antigen; Prostatic artery embolization (PAE); Prostatic hyperplasia; Quality of life; Surgery; Urinary tract; Urogenital system; Urology; Veins & arteries
• ISSN: 1471-2490; 1471-2490
• DOI: 10.1186/s12894-020-00726-y

Background Patients with severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) from giant prostatic hyperplasia (GPH): prostate volume greater than 200 mL that do not respond to medical therapy may not be eligible for surgical treatments due to morbidities, technical challenges, and patient preference. This retrospective investigation examined the long-term efficacy and safety of prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) as a treatment option for severe LUTS due to GPH in a large patient cohort. Methods Of 529 patients who underwent PAE between January 2016 and January 2020, 72 patients had severe LUTS from GPH and were retrospectively evaluated. PAE was performed with two embolic agents in sequence: 100-250 [mu]m particles followed by 2 mm and 3 mm coils. Clinical assessment was performed with international prostate symptoms score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), peak flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual volume (PVR), and prostate specific antigen (PSA) measurements before and 12 months and 24 months after PAE. Prostate volume (PV) was measured by multiparametric magnetic resonance (MR) imaging before and 12 months and 24 months after PAE. Results Patients with severe LUTS from GPH experienced significant clinical improvements in IPSS, QoL, Qmax, PVR, PSA, and PV at 12 months and 24 months after PAE. Mean IPSS decreased from 26.5 to 18.0 (P < 0.01) to 10.5 (P < 0.01). Mean QoL decreased from 6.0 to 4.0 (P < 0.01) to 2.0 (P < 0.01). Mean Qmax increased from 8.0 to 14 mL/s (P < 0.01) to 18 mL/s (P < 0.01). Mean PVR decreased from 198.0 to 152.0 mL (P < 0.01) to 90 mL (P < 0.01). Mean PV decreased from 303.0 mL to 258.0 mL (P < 0.01) to 209.0 mL (P < 0.01). Mean PSA decreased from 11.2 ng/mL to 9.5 ng/mL (P < 0.05) to 7.9 ng/mL (P < 0.05). No major complications occurred. Conclusions PAE is a safe treatment with long term efficacy for severe LUTS from GPH. PAE may be a viable therapeutic option for patients with severe LUTS from GPH whom fail medical therapy and are not candidates for surgical treatments. Keywords: Giant prostatic hyperplasia (GPH), Prostatic artery embolization (PAE), Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)