What PAE is, and who it may fit
On Advanced Urology's official prostate artery embolization page, PAE is described as a procedure carried out by an interventional radiologist. Using imaging, the radiologist inserts a small catheter into an artery in the upper thigh or the wrist and releases tiny particles that reduce blood flow to the prostate. As blood flow falls, the prostate shrinks, which can ease pressure on the urethra and improve a weak stream, trouble urinating, or frequent urination.
Official materials say PAE may be considered for men with an enlarged prostate greater than 50 grams, who have not had enough relief from BPH medicine, or who prefer to avoid a tissue-removing operation. Official materials describe PAE as an outpatient procedure. We will still examine you, review the size of the gland, and say whether PAE, UroLift, Aquablation, TURP, or laser enucleation is the more reasonable path in your case. We do not offer Rezum.
Where it is done, and who performs it
PAE is done at Decatur and at Alpharetta. A first visit can also start at our Sandy Springs Clinic & Surgery Center, 1450 S Johnson Ferry Road, or at our Decatur Clinic, 2711 Irvin Way, and we will explain how the procedure day is scheduled. For north-side patients, the official Alpharetta and Roswell office page on advancedurology.com lists that clinic and surgery center at 11660 Alpharetta Hwy, Ste 700, Roswell, GA 30076. We link that official office page, not another website of ours.
Official physician profiles name Jacinto Camarena, MD, and Brad M. White, RPVI, as interventional radiologists who specialize in prostate artery embolization. Those profiles do not state that either physician practices at the Decatur clinic, so we will not claim a named interventional radiologist is based on Irvin Way. The official Decatur office page lists physician assistants on the on-site team. If you want to know who would perform your PAE, we will tell you at the consult.
Procedure day and recovery
The official PAE blog describes the procedure as typically taking one to two hours, with a catheter placed in the groin or wrist and particles injected into the prostate arteries. Official BPH materials list the site of service as an outpatient interventional radiology lab and say a Foley catheter is typically not required after PAE. They also note that results may take six weeks to six months. Recovery is often described there as shorter than after a cutting prostate operation, with possible bruising or mild pain at the puncture site, and a rare risk of non-target embolization or urinary retention. Those are official descriptions, not a promise about your own recovery. We will go over what to expect the evening of the procedure and when to call, including fever or being unable to pass urine, which should go to an emergency department or 911.
How PAE compares with other BPH options
UroLift lifts tissue with implants and does not shrink the gland by cutting off its blood supply. Aquablation and TURP or HoLEP remove tissue. PAE does not cut prostate tissue out; it shrinks the gland by reducing blood flow. Official pages also mention that sexual function is often a reason men ask about PAE. We will compare those paths with your prostate size and your other health conditions in the room, not with a ranking on this page. For the wider menu, see enlarged prostate treatment and weak urine stream.
You can also read Advanced Urology's Prostate Artery Embolization in Atlanta page and the official enlarged prostate (BPH) overview.
Vahan Kassabian, MDUrologist; Director of Prostate Center 
Herman Bagga, MD, FACSUrologic surgeon 
Marc Greenstein, DOUrological surgeon; Director, Surgery Center Sandy Springs
A video from Advanced Urology about PAE
The official practice video below, Prostate Artery Embolization: A Surgery-Free Breakthrough for Enlarged Prostate, is background for a consult. We will still go over your own imaging and prostate size in the room.
Questions about prostate artery embolization
Is PAE available near me in Decatur or Atlanta?
Yes. We offer PAE at Decatur and at Alpharetta. You can start with a consult at 2711 Irvin Way in Decatur or at 1450 S Johnson Ferry Road in Sandy Springs, and we will explain where the procedure day is scheduled. North-side patients should use the official Alpharetta and Roswell office page on advancedurology.com for that address.
Who performs the procedure?
An interventional radiologist performs PAE, using imaging to guide a catheter into the prostate arteries. Official profiles list Jacinto Camarena, MD, and Brad M. White, RPVI, as interventional radiologists who specialize in this procedure. We will name the physician for your case at the consult, and we will not say a named radiologist is based at Decatur unless an official office page says so.
How long does PAE take, and is it outpatient?
Official materials describe PAE as an outpatient procedure that typically takes one to two hours. The official BPH comparison says a Foley catheter is typically not required after PAE. We will tell you whether a catheter is planned in your case.
How is this different from UroLift or Aquablation?
UroLift holds tissue out of the way with implants. Aquablation removes tissue with a water jet under ultrasound guidance. PAE shrinks the prostate by reducing its blood flow and does not cut tissue out. The better fit depends on gland size, your medical history, and what you want from recovery; we will go through that comparison at the visit rather than rank the options here.
When should I make an appointment about PAE?
Book a consult if you have a weak stream, trouble urinating, or night waking from an enlarged prostate and you want to know whether PAE is a fit, especially if medicines have not been enough or you are trying to avoid a tissue-removing operation. If you cannot pass urine, have heavy bleeding, or have a high fever with urinary symptoms, call 911 or go to an emergency department now. Bring any PSA results and prior prostate volume measurements to the visit.
Can I have a consult in Sandy Springs if the procedure is in Decatur or Alpharetta?
Yes. Many men who live inside the Perimeter start at Sandy Springs, and we will explain how the procedure day is scheduled at Decatur or Alpharetta. Call 678-344-8900 or book online, and we will look at the earliest consult we can offer.
What the video covers
On this Sandy Springs page the official video we link is titled #005 - Prostate Artery Embolization: A Surgery-Free Breakthrough for Enlarged Prostate. Topics noted in the public listing include Join us as we discuss:; How PAE works and why; Who is the ideal candidate; The advantages of PAE over. Those short phrases come from the public YouTube description; we have not added quotes.