Guerbet is committed to the treatment and diagnosis of diseases and conditions that affect men's health.
Prostate Artery Embolization
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate gland. The prevalence of BPH increases with age, affecting more than 70% of men older than 70 years old.1 BPH can lead to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
As the prostate enlarges, it may constrict or partly block the urethra, and lead to lower urinary tract symptoms such as hesitancy, straining, weak flow, prolonged voiding, partial or complete urinary retention, and, ultimately, overflow incontinence.2
In addition to medical therapy and surgery, prostate artery embolization (PAE) is an alternative treatment option for LUTS attributed to BPH. Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure where a microcatheter is used to deliver embolic agents into the prostate arteries.
Why it is done
The aim of the procedure is to block the prostatic arteries which would lead to ischemic shrinkage and subsequent reduction in LUTS.1
The procedure includes:3
- Vessel access – First, a needle is inserted into the vessel (e.g. femoral). Next, a catheter is navigated through the vasculature until it lands near to the desired target area.
- Blood vessel mapping, navigation and embolization – Visualization of the target vessel and its branches is done by injecting contrast fluid and viewing under fluoroscopy. After mapping the area, a microcatheter navigates into the target area and embolic material is injected into the vessel. The aim is to block flow to the desired area.
It is essential to select tools for the procedure that meets the needs of the physician, including microcatheters with optimized pushability, flexibility, torquability, and trackability. There may also be benefit in selecting tools that control reflux during the delivery of embolic agents to reduce the risk of non-target embolization.
Click here to learn more about Guerbet's peripheral microcatheter tools used in Prostate Embolization Procedures:
Varicocele Embolization
In men, a varicocele is an abnormal enlargement of the veins in the scrotum known as pampiniform plexus.4 They are usually asymptomatic and found during infertility workup.4 A varicocele is identified in about 15% to 20% of all adult males and up to 40% of men who were evaluated for infertility.4
In addition to medical therapy and surgery, varicocele embolization is another option for treatment. Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure where embolic agents can be delivered to target areas using a microcatheter.
Why it is done?
Embolization procedure is an alternative treatment option that may help relieve symptoms of pain, infertility, and swelling.6
The procedure includes:3
-
Vessel access – First, a needle is inserted into the vessel (e.g. femoral). Next, a catheter is navigated through the vasculature until it lands near to the desired target area.
-
Blood vessel mapping, navigation and embolization – Visualization of the target vessel and its branches is done by injecting contrast fluid and viewing under fluoroscopy. After mapping the area, a microcatheter navigates into the target area and embolic material is injected into the vessel. The aim is to block flow to the desired area.
It is essential to select tools for the procedure that meets the needs of the physician, including microcatheters with optimized pushability, flexibility, torquability, and trackability. There may also be benefit in selecting tools that control reflux during the delivery of embolic agents to reduce the risk of non-target embolization.
Click here to learn more about Guerbet's peripheral microcatheter tools used in Men's Embolization Procedures:
SeQure/Drakon are Class II medical devices intended for use by interventional radiologists and interventional oncologists for the infusion of contrast media into all peripheral vessels, for drug infusion in intra-arterial therapy, and for infusion of embolic materials. They should not be used in cerebral vessels.
For complete information about precautions and optimal usage conditions for these medical devices, we recommend consulting the instructions for use supplied with each device or with your local Guerbet representative(s).
Caution: US Federal Law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
References:
1. McWilliams, J. P., Bilhim, T. A., Carnevale, F. C., Bhatia, S., Isaacson, A. J., Bagla, S., ... & Kava, B. R. (2019). Society of Interventional Radiology Multisociety Consensus Position Statement on Prostatic Artery Embolization for Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Attributed to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: From the Society of Interventional Radiology, the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe, Société Française de Radiologie, and the British Society of Interventional Radiology: Endorsed by the Asia Pacific Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Canadian Association .... Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, 30(5), 627-637.
2. Roehrborn, C. G. (2005). Benign prostatic hyperplasia: an overview. Reviews in urology, 7(Suppl 9), S3.
3. Vascular Embolization. (June 2, 2020). Medline Plus. Retrieved June 21, 2020, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007277.htm
4. Leslie SW, Sajjad H, Siref LE. Varicocele. (Updated 2019, October 7). StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan.https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007277.htm
This information is not medical advice and is for informational purposes only. It does not replace a discussion with a healthcare professional nor provide clinical guidance.
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