Prostate Artery Embolization in Northern Virginia

Offering in-office non-surgical treatment for BPH

Prostatic artery embolization, or PAE, is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. Because BPH is an enlarged prostate gland, the overall goal of PAE treatment is to reduce the size of the prostate and decrease any symptoms. PAE uses microscopic beads to block the blood flow to the prostate, which deprives the cells of oxygen and ultimately helps the gland shrink in size.

Potomac Urology is the only fully integrated urology and interventional radiology BPH treatment program that involves prostate artery embolization in the country. We have convenient office locations in Alexandria, Fair Oaks, National Harbor, and Woodbridge to serve patients throughout the Northern Virginia and D.C. metropolitan areas. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We provide in-office non-surgical BPH treatment for patients from Lorton, Springfield, Mt. Vernon, Fairfax Station, Burke, Manassas, Fredericksburg, Arlington, Waldorf, Fairfax, and the surrounding area.

Who Is a Candidate for PAE?

As a minimally invasive procedure that preserves sexual function, PAE is an alternative to drug and surgical BPH treatment options. If any of the following are true for you, you may be a candidate for PAE:

• You have BPH or are experiencing symptoms associated with BPH.
• You’re looking to preserve sexual function during BPH treatment.
• You have a reaction to BPH medication or would prefer another route of treatment.
• You’re either not a candidate for, or do not want BPH surgical treatment.

How Does PAE Treatment Work?

The interventional radiologists partnered with Potomac Urology have performed more prostate artery embolization procedures than anyone in the world. Dr. Sandeep Bagla is one of the world’s leading authorities in providing PAE. Through his collaboration with Potomac Urology, Dr. Bagla has established a proprietary technique for vascular access and delivery of therapy that has resulted in the shortest procedure times in the field. This means quicker procedures, better results, and faster recovery for patients.

If you have determined you are a viable candidate for PAE or are actively deciding about the treatment, it’s important to understand the process.

Before treatment

Before the PAE treatment begins, you may undergo a brief physical examination and a series of ultrasounds or MRIs. This will assist in evaluating the rate of urine flow. As you prepare for the procedure, you will be given a mild sedative, but remain awake. Because PAE is generally an outpatient procedure, no general anesthesia is needed.

During the PAE treatment

As the in-office procedure begins, a small incision will be made in your upper thigh or wrist as to gain access to your arterial system. A small, spaghetti-like catheter is then placed into the vessels that supply blood to your prostate.

As the prostate is reached, small microscopic particles are injected into the blood vessels and the blood flow to your prostate is decreased. This process will be repeated as to reach both sides of the prostate.

After Treatment

As the blood flow decreases, the prostate will begin to shrink, and your urinary symptoms will begin to improve. Because the treatment is outpatient and takes nearly one to four hours to perform, you can resume normal activity within the day.

Potomac Urology has teamed up with Dr. Bagla to perform over 1,000 PAEs in the last year and is currently performing approximately 100 PAE procedures each month.