Concierge interventional radiology · London
Prostate artery embolisation (PAE) - London.
A catheter-based, no-incision BPH treatment performed by interventional radiologists. Reduces prostate blood supply to cause controlled shrinkage, with near-complete preservation of ejaculation. NICE approved and delivered across London's leading private and teaching hospitals.
Why patients choose us
- 01
A subspecialty interventional radiologist
A UK IR consultant with a dedicated prostatic embolisation practice, matched to your case.
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Booked in days, not weeks
Weekday, evening and weekend slots across London teaching hospitals and private units.
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Independent, and free
We take no fee from clinics, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
What PAE is
A catheter-based BPH treatment - no incision, no resection.
Prostate artery embolisation is an interventional radiology procedure. A fine catheter is passed through the radial artery at the wrist or the femoral artery at the groin, and both prostatic arteries are selectively catheterised under fluoroscopy and cone-beam CT guidance. Microspheres of 300 to 500 microns are then delivered bilaterally, reducing the prostate's blood supply and causing a controlled, gradual shrinkage over the following weeks. There is no cutting, no urethral instrumentation and no general anaesthetic. PAE is NICE approved for benign prostatic hyperplasia and has been offered in UK teaching hospitals for over a decade.
Indicative pricing
What private PAE costs in London.
Indicative all-inclusive ranges across our partner units. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options, with cover checked.
In short
PAE in London: £8,500-£14,000 all-inclusive, home in 1 day.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prostate artery embolisation (PAE) | £8,500-£14,000 | 90-150 min | Same day or 1 night |
| Interventional radiology consultation | £220-£400 | 30-45 min | Same visit |
| Prostate MRI (if not already done) | £450-£850 | 30-40 min | 48-72 hours |
| Follow-up review (3 and 12 months) | £150-£300 | 20-30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by hospital, by consultant and by the complexity of your prostatic artery anatomy. Very large glands and prior pelvic surgery can add time.
Where we deliver
London centres offering private PAE.
A shortlist of London teaching hospitals and private units with an established PAE practice.
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NHS waits are long
PAE is offered at a handful of NHS centres; capacity is stretched and travel is often required.
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The right operator matters
PAE outcomes track closely with IR operator volume and prostatic artery expertise, not hospital brand.
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Insurer processes are opaque
We handle preauth, coding and any second-opinion requirements on your behalf.
- King's College Hospital Private
- HCA The Wellington
- University College London Hospital Interventional Radiology Private
- HCA London Bridge
- The Royal Free Private Care
How the procedure works
From enquiry to follow-up - what happens, in order.
A day-case or overnight procedure under local anaesthesia and light sedation. Access is via the radial artery at the wrist or the femoral artery at the groin, followed by cone-beam CT mapping of the prostatic arteries and selective embolisation of both sides. The active part of the procedure typically takes 90 to 150 minutes and leaves only a small nick at the puncture site.
- 01
Before
Send us your history
IPSS score, flow rates, prior scans and any urology letters.
- 02
Before
Match to a consultant
An interventional radiologist with a high PAE volume, not a general list.
- 03
Before
MRI and workup
Prostate MRI where indicated, bloods, and a cone-beam CT plan.
- 04
On the day
The procedure
PAE performed under local anaesthesia and sedation in a CQC-registered angio suite.
- 05
On the day
Same-day observation
Two to four hours of recovery before discharge, or one overnight stay.
- 06
After
Report and results
IR consultant report within one working day, sent to you and your GP.
- 07
After
Follow-up and plan
IPSS, uroflowmetry and volume review at three and twelve months.
Who it is for
When PAE is the right step.
PAE suits men with bothersome BPH who want to avoid surgery, protect ejaculation, or who carry surgical risk that makes a general anaesthetic unattractive.
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BPH with moderate-severe LUTS
IPSS 8 or above with a poor flow trace.
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Wants to avoid surgery
No general anaesthetic, no urethral instrumentation.
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Ejaculation preservation matters
Near-complete preservation of antegrade ejaculation.
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High surgical risk
Cardiac, respiratory or frailty concerns.
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On anticoagulation
Often continued through the procedure with IR planning.
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Very large prostate over 100 g
A useful option where TURP is not attractive.
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Sexually active preference
Younger men prioritising sexual function.
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Catheter-dependent retention
Bridging option to restore voiding.
Outcomes
What the results look like at 12 months.
Symptom scores improve substantially for most men. Durability is good but shorter than TURP or HoLEP, with a modest re-treatment rate over five years.
IPSS reduction 40-60%
Mean improvement in the International Prostate Symptom Score at 12 months.
Volume reduction 20-40%
Prostate volume shrinks gradually over three to six months.
Qmax modest gain
Peak flow rates improve but less dramatically than after TURP or HoLEP.
Ejaculation preserved
Near-100% preservation of antegrade ejaculation; 15-20% re-treatment at 5 years.
Compared with
PAE vs Aquablation, TURP, HoLEP and UroLift.
PAE is the least invasive option and the strongest at protecting ejaculation. It is less durable than surgical resection and less effective for very refractory obstruction, but it is an excellent choice for high-risk surgical patients and men who prioritise sexual function.
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Prostate artery embolisation
Radial or femoral access; microspheres 300-500 microns delivered bilaterally to the prostatic arteries.
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Aquablation
Robotic waterjet for 30-150 g glands; ejaculation-sparing but requires GA.
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HoLEP
Laser enucleation; the most durable option for very large glands.
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TURP
The traditional benchmark; higher rate of retrograde ejaculation.
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UroLift (PUL)
Implants that hold lobes open; for smaller glands without a median lobe.
Recovery
Home the same day, back to work in days.
A day-case or single overnight stay. Mild pelvic discomfort for one to three days, back to office work in one to three days, driving at one week, and full activity by two weeks.
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CQC-registered London teaching hospitals and private interventional radiology suites
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UK GMC-registered subspecialty IR consultants with a dedicated PAE practice
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Same-week appointments including evenings and weekends where clinically safe
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Direct insurer preauth handling for Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA and Cigna
Safety and risks
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
PAE has an established safety profile. The most common issue is post-embolisation syndrome, which is self-limiting.
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Post-embolisation syndrome
Fever, pelvic discomfort and dysuria for 5-7 days in around 10% of patients.
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Non-target embolisation
Rare with modern cone-beam CT planning; bladder or rectal wall the main concerns.
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Urinary tract infection
Peri-procedural antibiotics per BSIR guidance.
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Radiation exposure
Moderate fluoroscopy dose; minimised by experienced operators.
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Access site bruising
Small haematoma at the wrist or groin puncture site.
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Not for prostate cancer
PAE treats benign obstruction; malignancy needs a separate pathway.
Reading your notes
Your report in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever centre performs the procedure, the report keeps to the same shape.
- 01 Header
Indication and consent
Why the procedure was done, what was consented and the relevant urological history.
- 02 Findings
What was seen and done
Access route, prostatic artery anatomy, microsphere size, endpoint of stasis and any variants.
- 03 Assessment
Consultant interpretation
How the embolisation is expected to translate to symptom relief and volume reduction.
- 04 Impression
Summary and next step
Read this first: the bottom line, discharge plan, and the three and twelve-month review.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Usually covered by UK private medical insurance when there is a specialist referral and a clear clinical indication.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about PAE.
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Is PAE a definitive treatment for BPH?
It is a durable but less definitive option than TURP or HoLEP. Around 80-85% of men have meaningful symptom relief at five years; 15-20% will need a second procedure or move on to a surgical option. For men prioritising avoidance of surgery and preservation of ejaculation, it is a strong first choice.
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What is the re-treatment rate?
Roughly 15-20% at five years in published UK and European series. Re-treatment may be a repeat PAE, a UroLift, TURP, HoLEP or Aquablation, depending on the residual anatomy and your preferences.
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Is ejaculation preserved?
Yes, near-completely. Rates of new-onset retrograde ejaculation are close to zero because the bladder neck and ejaculatory ducts are not instrumented. Erectile function is also preserved.
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Is PAE covered by UK private medical insurance?
Usually yes, with a specialist referral and a clear clinical indication. Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA and Cigna all recognise PAE. We handle preauth on your behalf.
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What is the recovery like?
Most men go home the same day or the following morning. Mild pelvic discomfort for one to three days, back to office work in one to three days, driving at one week and full activity by two weeks.
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Is there a gland size limit?
No upper limit in practice. PAE is particularly useful for very large glands over 100 g where TURP is unattractive and HoLEP capacity is limited. Small glands under 40 g are technically feasible but other options may be preferred.
Related
Looking for something else?
-
Aquablation for BPH
Robotic waterjet resection.
Learn more -
Robotic prostatectomy
For prostate cancer.
Learn more -
Prostate PSA and mpMRI
The diagnostic pathway.
Learn more -
Prostate cancer
Condition guide and pathways.
Learn more -
All tests and procedures
Every test we arrange.
Learn more -
Conditions library
Guides for common conditions.
Learn more
Book PAE in London
Ready to talk to an interventional radiologist?
Send your history and we match you to a London PAE consultant within days, with insurer preauth handled and a firm price on the table.