PAE in Los Angeles
A balanced overview of candidacy, evidence, recovery, risks, and alternatives for Los Angeles-area patients.
Editorially updated July 20, 2026. This educational page was prepared by SoCal Interventional using the cited primary and authoritative sources. It does not replace an individualized medical evaluation.
Quick answer: Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive, image-guided treatment for urinary symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). SoCal Interventional evaluates Los Angeles-area patients at its Van Nuys and Tarzana locations. The Irvine location serves Orange County separately. PAE is performed through a small arterial puncture and reduces targeted blood flow to the prostate so the gland can shrink over time.
Request a Los Angeles-area PAE consultation or call (310) 929-0026.
Dr. Nathanael Sabbah provides interventional radiology evaluation and PAE care for patients from Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, and surrounding communities. Consultations are available at the real Van Nuys PAE office and Tarzana PAE office; this page does not imply a physical office in every city named.
The Los Angeles-area office is located at 15211 Vanowen Street, Suite 305, Van Nuys, CA 91405. Van Nuys is a Los Angeles neighborhood in the central San Fernando Valley. Patients may also be seen at the 18370 Burbank Blvd, 5th Floor, Tarzana, CA 91356 location. The separate Orange County office is at 16100 Sand Canyon Avenue, Suite 130, Irvine, CA 92618.
Call before traveling to confirm the correct location for your consultation, imaging review, procedure, or follow-up. Services offered at each site and insurance-network participation can vary.
PAE is a catheter-based treatment performed by an interventional radiologist. Through arterial access at the wrist or groin, a small catheter is guided to the blood vessels supplying the prostate. Microscopic particles are delivered to selected arteries, reducing blood flow to the enlarged tissue. The prostate then gradually shrinks, which can reduce bladder outlet obstruction and lower urinary tract symptoms.
PAE does not remove prostate tissue through the urethra. It commonly uses fluoroscopic X-ray guidance and iodinated contrast, and the sedation plan is individualized.
These symptoms do not prove that BPH is the cause. Infection, bladder dysfunction, urethral narrowing, medications, neurologic disease, sleep disorders, or prostate cancer can produce similar complaints. Appropriate evaluation is essential.
PAE may be considered for men with bothersome urinary symptoms attributed to BPH who want to compare an artery-based treatment with medication and urologic procedures. It may be relevant to selected patients with a large prostate, medical conditions that affect surgical risk, bleeding attributed to the prostate, catheter dependence, medication intolerance, or concern about ejaculatory side effects.
Candidacy depends on more than age or prostate size. The evaluation may consider urinary-symptom severity, bladder emptying, prostate anatomy, prostate cancer assessment, kidney function, infection status, bleeding risk, arterial anatomy, contrast risk, prior procedures, and patient goals.
Read the complete PAE candidacy guide.
Additional evaluation or another treatment may be necessary when the cause of symptoms is uncertain, prostate cancer assessment is incomplete, infection is active, kidney or contrast risk is significant, severe arterial disease limits catheter access, a bleeding problem is not corrected, bladder dysfunction is likely to limit improvement, or tissue is needed for diagnosis.
Some findings are relative rather than absolute limitations. A qualified clinician must determine whether the expected benefit justifies the risk.
No benefit is guaranteed. Some patients experience incomplete improvement, persistent symptoms, or the need for another treatment.
Possible risks include bruising or bleeding at the access site, pelvic discomfort, temporary urinary frequency or burning, infection, urinary retention, blood in the urine or semen, contrast reaction, kidney injury, radiation exposure, unintended embolization, and incomplete or temporary symptom relief. Arterial anatomy can make the procedure more difficult or unsuitable.
PAE does not provide prostate tissue for pathology. It is not a prostate cancer treatment and does not eliminate the need for appropriate prostate cancer screening or evaluation.
Many patients go home on the day of treatment. Temporary pelvic pressure, urinary symptoms, fatigue, or access-site soreness can occur during the first days. Light routine activity may resume within several days for some patients, while strenuous activity and heavy lifting remain restricted until the procedural team provides clearance.
Urinary improvement is generally progressive because the prostate shrinks over weeks to months. Follow individualized medication and follow-up instructions.
See the complete PAE recovery timeline.
Alternatives can include observation, behavior changes, medication, UroLift, Rezūm, Aquablation, GreenLight, HoLEP, TURP, simple prostatectomy, or another plan. The appropriate comparison depends on anatomy, symptom severity, bladder function, cancer evaluation, anesthesia risk, recovery priorities, sexual goals, and availability.
PAE tends to offer a less invasive arterial approach and gradual improvement. A surgical or transurethral procedure may provide faster or more direct tissue removal and may be preferred when pathology or a different treatment effect is important.
Socal Interventional accepts most PPO plans, Medicare, self-pay, and some IPA plans. Coverage is not guaranteed and depends on the specific plan, network, medical necessity criteria, authorization, and benefits. The office can help verify coverage before treatment.
For a useful first consultation, bring or send available urology notes, prostate imaging, PSA history, medication list, prior procedure records, urinary testing, catheter history, and insurance information when requested.
PAE requires detailed knowledge of pelvic arterial anatomy, microcatheter technique, embolization, and image-guided therapy. Dr. Sabbah completed fellowship training in interventional radiology at NYU Langone Health and currently serves as Vice Chair of Radiology at Valley Presbyterian Hospital and Head of Interventional Radiology at Maui Memorial Medical Center, according to the practice’s published biography.
A strong treatment decision may also involve urologic collaboration to confirm the diagnosis, evaluate cancer risk, assess bladder function, and compare alternatives.
The Los Angeles-area offices are at 15211 Vanowen Street, Suite 305, Van Nuys, CA 91405 and 18370 Burbank Blvd, 5th Floor, Tarzana, CA 91356. Confirm the correct site for each appointment before traveling.
PAE is commonly performed as an outpatient procedure, but observation and discharge plans depend on the patient, facility, medications, recovery, and catheter status.
Large size alone does not rule out PAE. Imaging, arterial anatomy, symptoms, bladder function, cancer evaluation, prior treatment, and overall health determine whether it is reasonable.
Published evidence generally reports fewer ejaculatory problems after PAE than after TURP, but ejaculation and sexual function cannot be guaranteed after any procedure.
Improvement is usually progressive over weeks to months. The degree and timing vary, and some symptoms can temporarily worsen during early recovery.
Some patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms after another BPH treatment can be evaluated for PAE. The reason for ongoing symptoms and the current anatomy must be established first.
Request a Los Angeles-area appointment with SoCal Interventional at the Van Nuys or Tarzana location. The Irvine location is available for Orange County. Call (310) 929-0026 or use the secure appointment request page.
People traveling from Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles and communities throughout the San Fernando Valley can request a PAE evaluation at the real Van Nuys or Tarzana office.
Call (310) 929-0026 to confirm the appropriate office.
Medical disclaimer: This page is general education, not a diagnosis, individualized medical advice, or a guarantee of outcome.
Explore more: Read the complete prostate artery embolization treatment guide, visit the PAE Patient Resource Center, and review our Medical Editorial Policy.