Am I a candidate for PAE?

Many patients with BPH and bothersome urinary symptoms are candidates for PAE. A consultation reviews symptoms, labs, and imaging to confirm suitability.

How long does PAE take and what is recovery?

The procedure usually takes about 1 hour. Patients recover for roughly 2 hours and go home the same day, with most returning to normal activity soon after.

What access route is used?

PAE is performed via a tiny arterial access. Dr. Drabkin typically uses a left wrist approach, guiding microcatheters to the prostate arteries under imaging.

Does PAE preserve sexual function?

PAE is designed to improve urinary symptoms while preserving sexual function compared with traditional surgical procedures. Individual results vary and are discussed during consultation.

What is varicocele embolization?

It is a minimally invasive procedure that treats dilated scrotal veins (varicocele) by closing abnormal venous pathways under imaging guidance to relieve pain and improve fertility potential.

Is it outpatient and how fast is discharge?

Yes. Varicocele embolization is performed as an outpatient procedure and discharge is typically about 1 hour after the procedure.

How is the procedure performed?

Through a tiny vein access, a catheter is guided to the internal spermatic vein under imaging. Coils or embolic agents are placed to redirect blood flow away from the varicocele.

What is recovery like?

Most patients go home the same day, resume light activity quickly, and increase activity as comfort allows after follow-up guidance.

Am I a candidate for UFE?

UFE is appropriate for many with uterine fibroids or adenomyosis causing heavy bleeding, cramps, pain, or pressure. A consultation includes history, labs, and imaging to confirm suitability.

How long does UFE take and when do I go home?

UFE typically takes about 30 minutes. Patients go home around 2 hours after the procedure and resume regular activities within a few days.

Does UFE preserve the uterus and future options?

Yes. UFE treats fibroid blood supply while preserving the uterus. Fertility plans are individualized and discussed during consultation.

What symptoms can improve after UFE?

Heavy menstrual bleeding, cramping, pelvic pressure, frequency/urgency, and bulk-related discomfort commonly improve in appropriately selected candidates.

What is Interventional Oncology?

Interventional Oncology uses image-guided, minimally invasive procedures such as ablation and embolization to treat cancer and provide supportive care like port placement and biopsies.

Which treatments are offered?

Thermal ablation, embolization therapies, percutaneous biopsies, and venous access (ports). Recommendations are individualized in coordination with oncology teams.

Are these treatments outpatient?

Many procedures are outpatient or short-stay with small access sites and focused recovery guidance. Exact recovery depends on the treatment and clinical context.

How do I know which option is right for me?

A consultation reviews your diagnosis, imaging, and goals to determine candidacy and the most appropriate image-guided options.

Am I a candidate for PAE?

Most patients with BPH and bothersome urinary symptoms are candidates. A consult includes history, labs, and imaging to confirm suitability.

How long is recovery?

Most patients go home the same day and resume light activity the next day; full recovery is usually within a few days.

Is UFE safe if I want future fertility?

UFE treats fibroids while preserving the uterus. Fertility considerations are individualized and discussed during consultation.

Am I a candidate for PAE?

Many patients with BPH and bothersome urinary symptoms are candidates for PAE. A consultation reviews symptoms, labs, and imaging to confirm suitability.

How long does PAE take and what is recovery?

The procedure usually takes about 1 hour. Patients recover for roughly 2 hours and go home the same day, with most returning to normal activity soon after.

What access route is used?

PAE is performed via a tiny arterial access. Dr. Drabkin typically uses a left wrist approach, guiding microcatheters to the prostate arteries under imaging.

Does PAE preserve sexual function?

PAE is designed to improve urinary symptoms while preserving sexual function compared with traditional surgical procedures. Individual results vary and are discussed during consultation.

What is varicocele embolization?

It is a minimally invasive procedure that treats dilated scrotal veins (varicocele) by closing abnormal venous pathways under imaging guidance to relieve pain and improve fertility potential.

Is it outpatient and how fast is discharge?

Yes. Varicocele embolization is performed as an outpatient procedure and discharge is typically about 1 hour after the procedure.

How is the procedure performed?

Through a tiny vein access, a catheter is guided to the internal spermatic vein under imaging. Coils or embolic agents are placed to redirect blood flow away from the varicocele.

What is recovery like?

Most patients go home the same day, resume light activity quickly, and increase activity as comfort allows after follow-up guidance.

Am I a candidate for UFE?

UFE is appropriate for many with uterine fibroids or adenomyosis causing heavy bleeding, cramps, pain, or pressure. A consultation includes history, labs, and imaging to confirm suitability.

How long does UFE take and when do I go home?

UFE typically takes about 30 minutes. Patients go home around 2 hours after the procedure and resume regular activities within a few days.

Does UFE preserve the uterus and future options?

Yes. UFE treats fibroid blood supply while preserving the uterus. Fertility plans are individualized and discussed during consultation.

What symptoms can improve after UFE?

Heavy menstrual bleeding, cramping, pelvic pressure, frequency/urgency, and bulk-related discomfort commonly improve in appropriately selected candidates.

What is Interventional Oncology?

Interventional Oncology uses image-guided, minimally invasive procedures such as ablation and embolization to treat cancer and provide supportive care like port placement and biopsies.

Which treatments are offered?

Thermal ablation, embolization therapies, percutaneous biopsies, and venous access (ports). Recommendations are individualized in coordination with oncology teams.

Are these treatments outpatient?

Many procedures are outpatient or short-stay with small access sites and focused recovery guidance. Exact recovery depends on the treatment and clinical context.

How do I know which option is right for me?

A consultation reviews your diagnosis, imaging, and goals to determine candidacy and the most appropriate image-guided options.

Uterine Artery Embolization | Explore Uterine Embolization Options Today

In this technical overview, Dr. Michael Drabkin discusses the transition to a radial-first approach in the Office-Based Lab (OBL) setting to optimize patient safety and clinical outcomes.

The Patient Advantage

While the radial approach requires specialized expertise, it offers significant benefits for patient recovery:

Enhanced Comfort: Recover comfortably in a seated position rather than lying flat for hours.
Rapid Recovery: Most patients return home within 2 hours of their procedure.
Improved Safety: Wrist access significantly reduces the risk of bleeding complications compared to femoral access.

Video Content: Utilizing Radial Access in the Office-Based Lab (OBL) with Michael Drabkin, MD | Published by Terumo Interventional Systems.

The Radial Approach

The Patient Advantage