University College Hospital Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE) Interventional Radiology
If you would like this document in another language or format, or require the services of an interpreter, contact us on: 020 3447 0242 or 020 3447 0243. Mobile no. 0790 467 4635 (Clinical Nurse Specialist) We will do our best to meet your needs. Contents Page 1. Introduction 3 2. What is PAE & how can it help? 3 3. What are the risks of PAE? 3 4. Can I refuse to have PAE? 4 5. What alternatives are available? 4 6. How should I prepare for PAE? 4 7. The day of the PAE 5 8. Asking for your consent (permission) for PAE 5 9. What happens during PAE? 5 10. What should I expect after PAE? 6 11. How to contact us 6 12. How to find us & Transport 7 2 P a g e
1. Introduction This booklet contains information for patients (and their family and carers) considering having Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE). It explains what is involved and the possible risks. 2. What is PAE and how can it help? The prostate gland sits at the bottom of the bladder. Enlargement of the prostate is very common in older men, and can lead to blockage to the flow of urine. Symptoms of prostate enlargement include needing to pass water more regularly and not being able to empty the bladder in one go. PAE is a treatment in which the blood supply to the prostate is permanently reduced by injecting small particles via a small tube inserted into an artery in the groin. This results in the prostate shrinking, which will reduce the symptom of urinary blockage. This treatment is not part of the standard care pathway and is a new procedure at UCH, but it is performed elsewhere in the UK. Your doctor will have talked with you about the reasons why it has been recommended as a treatment for you. 3. What are the risks of PAE? The main risk of the procedure is damage to the blood vessel in the groin at the site of puncture. The risk of needing further treatment for this is 1 person in 1000. Complications directly related to the prostate include pain passing water and blood in the urine for a short while after the procedure. These symptoms normally resolve after a few days. 3 P a g e
4. Can I refuse to have PAE? You can always decline treatment or change your mind about the type of treatment. If you have any concerns, please discuss this with your doctor. 5. What alternatives are available? Please discuss this with your doctor. 6. How should I prepare for PAE? In your first clinic appointment, you will see the Urologist and Radiologist. They will discuss the different treatment options available to you and the risks involved. You will then have a nurse led pre-assessment during which, any relevant tests will be carried out. As a minimum, this will include blood tests and a scan. During this appointment, we will advise you about any medications you are taking, especially blood thinning treatments such as Warfarin. Please bring all your medications or a prescription list with you to this appointment. On the day of the procedure, you must not eat for 6 hours before the treatment. You can continue drink clear fluids for up to 2 hours before. If you have questions, please contact Interventional Radiology on the following numbers: Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): Mobile No: 0790 467 4635 Tel: 020 3447 0242 or 020 3447 0243 4 P a g e
7. The day of the PAE You will be asked to come to the Imaging Department on Podium level 2 at the main University College Hospital site, 30 minutes before your appointment time. This is so we can admit you and complete some paperwork. You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and remove your underwear. 8. Asking for your consent (permission) for PAE Before your procedure, we will discuss the risks of the procedure and ask you to sign a consent form saying that you understand the reasons and risks of this treatment. If there is anything you do not understand, or you need more time to think about it, it is important that you tell a member of staff. 9. What happens during PAE? The doctor performing the treatment will inject local anaesthetic to numb the skin in the groin at the top of the leg. A tiny tube is then inserted into a blood vessel in the groin and this is used to inject tiny beads, which lock the blood flow to the prostate. At the end of the treatment, the tube is removed and a dressing is placed over the groin. 5 P a g e
10. What should I expect after PAE? You will need to stay in the X-ray recovery area for 4 hours after the treatment, where we will monitor your blood pressure and heart rate and the groin. Most patients will be able to go home the same day. If you have an indwelling bladder catheter, we will see you in a special clinic 2 weeks after the PAE treatment, where we will remove the catheter and test your bladder function. All patients are followed up by a telephone call in the days following the treatment, and then again in a clinic appointment after 6 weeks. 11. How to contact us Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): Mobile No: 0790 467 4635 Tel: 020 3447 0242 or 020 3447 0243 Interventional Radiology University College Hospital (Tower 2 nd Floor) 235 Euston Road, London NW1 2BU Fax: 020 3447 9297 Email: ios@uclh.nhs.uk UCH Switchboard: 020 3456 7890 Hospital Transport Services: 020 3456 7010 Website: www.uclh.nhs.uk 6 P a g e
12. How to find us & transport Clinic appointments: 4 th floor of the Macmillan Cancer Centre on Huntley Street (see map on page 9). Procedures: The Imaging Department, Level 2 Podium in the main University College Hospital building with the entrance on Euston Road (see map on page 9). Travelling to the hospital No car parking is available at the hospital. Street parking is limited and restricted to a maximum of 2 hours. Please note the University College Hospital lies outside, but very close to the Central London Congestion Charging Zone. Tube The nearest tube stations, which are within 2 minutes walk, are: Warren Street (Northern and Victoria lines) Euston Square (Hammersmith & City, Circle and Metropolitan lines) Overground trains Euston, King Cross & St Pancras and Kings Cross Thames link railway stations are within 15-20 minutes walk. 7 P a g e
Bus Bus services are shown on the map on page 8. Further travel information can be obtained from http://www.tfl.gov.uk Tel: 0343 222 1234. Hospital transport services If you feel that you are eligible for transport, please call: 020 3456 7010 (Mon to Fri 8am-8pm) to speak to a member of the Transport Assessment Booking Team. You will need to call at least 7 days before your appointment. If you have a clinical condition or mobility problem that is unlikely to improve, you will be exempt from the assessment process. However, you will still need to contact the assessment team so that your transport can be booked. If your appointment is cancelled by the hospital or you cannot attend it, please 020 7380 9757 to cancel your transport. Can an escort be arranged to accompany me in hospital transport? This will depend on your clinical condition or mobility. If you meet the criteria then an escort will be booked to accompany you to and from the hospital. However, we aim to keep these to a minimum as escorts take up seats that would otherwise be used for patients. 8 P a g e
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Space for notes and questions 10 P a g e
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First published: August 17 Date last reviewed: August 17 Date next review due: August 19 Leaflet code: UCLH/S&C/IMG/PAE/1 University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 12 P a g e