Men’s & Women’s Health

HEMORRHOIDAL ARTERY EMBOLIZATION (HAE)

A state-of-the-art, minimally invasive procedure designed to address bleeding associated with hemorrhoids. This innovative intervention involves using image guidance to access the arteries supplying blood to the rectum. Tiny particles or embolic agents are placed in these arteries to reduce blood flow to the hemorrhoidal tissue. HAE aims to alleviate hemorrhoid bleeding, offering a patient-friendly alternative to traditional surgical methods. Our skilled interventional radiologists at Minneapolis Vascular Physicians bring expertise to HAE, providing individuals with a less invasive option for managing hemorrhoidal issues and improving overall quality of life.

MEN’S HEALTH

PROSTATE ARTERY EMBOLIZATION

(PAE)

PAE is a new way to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with enlarged prostates due to benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).  An angiogram is performed of the pelvic arteries supplying the prostate. These are carefully selected and embolized to reduce the amount of blood flow to the prostate.

How is PAE performed?

PAE is performed by injecting small particles, called embolic agents, into the arteries that supply blood to the prostate.

The embolic agents block the flow of blood to the prostate, causing the gland to shrink and relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.

How effective is PAE?

PAE is very effective with similar outcomes to minimally invasive surgical therapies and TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) and without many of the sexual side effects.

PAE is an outpatient procedure with reduced recovery time compared to TURP or open surgery.

VARICOCELE EMBOLIZATION

Varicocele embolization treats patients with scrotal varicoceles by closing malfunctioning veins (testicular veins) endovascularly. Patients enjoy only a small needle poke with shorter recovery and similar reduction in pain and increase in fertility when compared to open surgery.

Varicoceles are dilated veins within the scrotum that cause fullness and pain.  They are also linked to infertility.  They are the result of incompetent gonadal veins in your abdomen. This condition is usually diagnosed by ultrasound. A Urologist can explain the risks and benefits of open ligation. Schedule a consult with an Interventional Radiologist if you or your Urologist would like to explore endovascular options.

WOMEN’S HEALTH

OVARIAN VEIN EMBOLIZATION (OVE)

Ovarian Vein Embolization (OVE) is a minimally invasive procedure taking center stage in our comprehensive approach to Pelvic Venous Disease. Using advanced imaging techniques, the interventional radiologist guides a catheter into the diseased veins in the pelvis and closes the veins with the placement of embolic material and medication to redirect blood flow out of the pelvis and improve symptoms associated with pelvic congestion syndrome. Symptoms of this condition include an aching or heaviness in the pelvis that increases with prolonged standing or sitting. The pain increases with exercise or with your menstrual period. Some women experience pain during or after sexual activity with this condition.

UTERINE FIBROID EMBOLIZATION (UFE)

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) is an alternative to the surgical removal of fibroids or the surgical removal of the entire uterus. By decreasing blood flow to the fibroids, related symptoms such as pain and excessive bleeding are resolved. The procedure is minimally invasive resulting in less downtime and quicker recovery when compared to the surgical options.

Who can benefit from a UFE?

The primary reason that a woman may elect to undergo a uterine fibroid embolization is to get relief from problematic symptoms that the fibroid or fibroids may be causing. While most fibroids are benign, they can cause pain, pressure, heavy bleeding, anemia, and, in rare cases, fertility issues.

For many women, these symptoms are troublesome enough to warrant undergoing the procedure. Add to that its high efficacy rate, minimal invasiveness, and quicker recovery, and it’s a better choice than some other fibroid treatments.

How is UFE performed?

Fluoroscopy, a real-time x-ray, guides the doctor to the correct areas where they will deliver embolic agents, like very fine grains of sand, to the arteries that supply blood to the fibroids. These embolic agents block the blood supply to the fibroid, which causes it to shrink. The procedure is safe and effective, relieving most patients of fibroid symptoms.