PAE full form in medical term is Prostatic Artery Embolization. It is a medical procedure that’s used to treat an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This condition is common in older men and can cause a range of uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as a weak urine stream, frequent urination, and difficulty fully emptying the bladder. During a PAE procedure, a small tube called a catheter is inserted through a tiny incision in the groin and threaded up through the arteries to the prostate gland. Once the catheter is in place, tiny particles are injected into the blood vessels that supply the prostate. These particles cause the blood vessels to narrow and block the flow of blood to the prostate, which can cause it to shrink over time. As the prostate shrinks, it puts less pressure on the urethra and can help relieve the urinary symptoms associated with BPH.
PAE is a minimally invasive procedure, which means it’s less invasive than traditional surgery. It’s usually done under local anesthesia, which means you’re awake during the procedure but the area around the incision is numbed. Most people can go home the same day or the next day after the procedure, and recovery time is generally faster compared to traditional surgery.