Clinical Outcomes of Prostatic Artery Embolization in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Prospective Clinical Study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical outcomes of prostatic artery embolization applied to patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study includes 30 patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia in the urology clinic between 2012 and 2016, for whom anesthesia was contraindicated due to advanced age and comorbidities and who underwent prostatic artery embolization. These patients were evaluated before the procedure and in the 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months after the procedure. RESULTS: The mean prostate volume of the patients was 68 cm³ before the procedure and 45 cm³ 12 months after the procedure. A statistically significant decrease was observed (P = .001). The mean prostate-specific antigen value was 4.9 ng/dL before the procedure and 2.8 ng/dL 12 months after the procedure (P = .008). The mean Q(max) value was 0 mL/s before the procedure and 12 mL/s 12 months after the procedure (P = .001). The mean international prostatic symptom scores value was 35 before and 16 twelve months after the procedure (P = .001). While the international index of erectile function value was 8.25 before the procedure, it was 8.46 12 months after the procedure (P = .32). The quality of life index value was measured as 3.02 before the procedure and 3.09 twelve months after the procedure; a statistically significant difference was determined (P = .027). CONCLUSION: Prostatic artery embolization, which is a minimally invasive procedure, can be applied as a safe and effective method to patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia who cannot tolerate anesthesia due to advanced age and comorbidities.