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 highlights how modern devices, refined technique, and an optimized workflow come together to deliver precise and patient-friendly prostate artery embolization.

The Patient Advantage

While proper use of these tools require specialized expertise, they are designed to improve both procedural precision and the overall patient experience:

Greater Precision: Advanced microcatheters allow navigation deep into the prostate arteries, enabling highly targeted treatment.
Safer Embolization: Specialized microcoils can be used to protect nearby vessels, helping ensure treatment is delivered only where it is needed.
Expanded Radial Access: Longer catheter systems now make it possible to perform even complex prostate embolizations comfortably through the wrist.

Video Content: Performing Radial PAE in the Office-Based Lab (OBL) with Michael Drabkin, MD | Published December 11, 2025 by Terumo Interventional Systems.

Tools of the Trade

The Patient Advantage