Embolization through the prostate artery can be an effective treatment for benign prostatic hypertrophy. It is important to select patients carefully, avoiding patients with contraindications.
Contraindications:
(1) prostate or bladder cancer
(2) active urinary tract infection, acute prostatitis or acute urethritis
(3) urethral stricture or bladder neck contracture
(4) neurogenic bladder dysfunction or bladder atonia
(5) renal insufficiency (eGFR <= 45 mL/min or serum creatinine > 1.8 mg/dL)
Relative contraindications:
(1) large bladder diverticula
(2) large bladder concretions
(3) pronounced arteriosclerosis
(4) collateral circulation with risk of nontarget embolization
(5) previous surgery or transurethral resection of the prostate
(6) history of pelvic irradiation or radical pelvic surgery
