Prostate artery embolisation for lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia is a minimally-invasive procedure that blocks the arteries that supply blood to the prostate causing the prostate to shrink.

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During the procedure, a radiologist uses an X-ray camera to guide the delivery of small particles to block the prostate arteries. The small particles and contrast dye (liquid used to make injuries or diseases visible on scans) are injected through a catheter (thin, flexible tube).

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It is done under local anaesthetic and patients can usually go home the same day.

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Prostate embolisation for benign prostatic hyperplasia is used when other treatments are unsuitable or high risk. Most patients who have had it done show a reduction in the size of the prostate as well as an improvement in their symptoms.