Prostate Artery Embolization now offered by Virginia Interventional and Vascular Associates’ (VIVA) Physicians

Virginia Interventional and Vascular Associates (VIVA) is expanding its offerings of outpatient procedures in collaboration with Mary Washington Healthcare include Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE). VIVA is the first in the Fredericksburg Region to perform PAE.

Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy, commonly referred to as BPH. PAE is performed as an alternative to surgical procedures like transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The procedure shrinks the prostate by treating the blood vessels leading to the organ. Performed through a pinhole incision in the wrist or upper thigh, the outpatient procedure aims to alleviate the symptoms of BPH, including a weak urine stream, frequent trips to the bathroom to urinate, urinating often at night, and difficulty starting a urine stream.

“I felt very compelled to bring this procedure to the area,” says Dr. Gustavo Elias, an Interventional Radiologist at VIVA, and champion for this procedure. “Since one third of all men aged 40-80 develop an enlarged prostate, PAE offers a new, minimally invasive treatment for improving the symptoms of BPH without the higher risk of complications associated with surgery.” Dr. Elias  trained at Yale New Haven Hospital under the tutelage of Dr. Raj Ayyagari. During Dr. Elias’ time there, Yale New Haven performed the largest number of PAE procedures in New England. He now brings this world-renowned expertise to the local region.