VIVA Richmond Articles

A French group of interventional radiologists and urologists has recently published the results of its randomised, multicentre, open-label, phase 3 superiority trial of prostate artery embolization (PAE) versus medical therapy (PARTEM) in The Lancet. The group, of whom Marc Sapoval (Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, France) is the corresponding author, states in its publication that the PARTEM trial met its primary endpoint of clinically significant superior reduction of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) after PAE at nine months compared to following combined medical therapy (CT), “in patients who failed to improve after single alpha-blockers therapy”.

Ronnie had been living with benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate, for several years. The symptoms were a disruption to his daily life and getting progressively worse with time. As the problem worsened, Ronnie found himself waking three to four times during the night just to use the bathroom. Although he was desperate for relief, the thought of laser and surgical methods seemed worse than the issue itself.

Uterine fibroids affect 20-40% of premenopausal women. Margaret was no exception. When she began to experience heavy bleeding and pain, her gynecologist recommended she consider a uterine fibroid embolization.

A minimally invasive procedure, UFE is a highly effective treatment with faster recovery options than a traditional hysterectomy.